Whether from Brian Head’s lofty peak, or Gooseberry’s majestic mesa, this supercharged trip lends all-access to the staggering vistas and world-class backcountry mountain biking around Zion National Park.
Our two smartly nuanced itineraries maximize not only the best trails, but also the greatest variety of riding conditions here in no less than fat tire nirvana.
A summertime descent into Zion from the high country means biking Brian Head’s beautiful mountain singletrack. Approaching Zion from the south, the fabled Gooseberry Mesa’s fantastic slickrock riding is perfect in the Spring and Fall.
Brian Head (summer):
Brian Head Mountain stands magnificently, reaching 11,307 feet high above wildly scenic southern Utah. This broad and burly pinnacle is home to Utah’s highest ski and mountain bike resort. Riding in Brian Head translates into long, vertical-mile descents set in crisp, head clearing mountain air and big, high altitude scenery. Speaking more to detail, the sensational XC (cross-country) singletrack here is unquestionably friendly for any moderately skilled mountain biker. Ride amongst pines and Aspen forests, around stunning mountain lakes, only to be whisked past mesmerizingly deep-red hoodoos.
From a personal-professional place, Brian Head represents our genesis; one of Escape Adventure’s maiden voyages. Please, come savor this original with us.
Gooseberry (spring or fall):
A quick 15-minute drive from Hurricane, a sweet little Southwest Utah hamlet, brings us to Gooseberry Mesa, (elevation 5418-ft.). Built by the twin Harris brothers, 13-mile long Gooseberry Mesa is popular the world over. As such, it’s likely you’ll meet and ride alongside Danes, Belgians, Germans, Dutch, Aussies, maybe a mad dog and an Englishman. One of the best technical loops anywhere, Gooseberry carries a Black Diamond rating, meaning intermediate to difficult. Though the adjoining South Rim Trail comes with a Double Black Diamond rank for its higher level of challenging terrain. From the white dots that point you over the adjoining slickrock, you can expect nothing but singletrack on Gooseberry Mesa, the Big Loop: swept along ledges and cliffs, past low stands of Juniper and Pinon, only to skillfully wend and contort yourself through gigantic boulder stacks. Yes; here it is, your moment of Zen.
This mountain bike tour is one of the “original” and favorite tours with our staff at Escape Adventures. Come and experience the beauty for yourself. For detailed tour information click HERE
Since 1992, we at Escape Adventures have been blessed to shape and lead adventure travel vacations through some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the world. Each successive season, our passion for adventure grows through memorable moments with our guests. Fresh air, faith, fitness and friends are the building blocks for our ventures, the treasured experiences that keep us moving forward. For those of you who have trekked and traveled with us over the past quarter century, Heather and I express our sincerest gratitude. The memories are priceless.
