Wasatch Dirt Thread

[Marshal Olson]

Mt VanCott first is key to starting the season well.

THIS IS THE WAY
MVC is running really well, btw, once you drop into the trail propper. There is snow on the top clearing, but it is melting fast and shallow enough to just ride through it and the climbing trail just cleared up and goes.

[Boissal]

THIS IS THE WAY
MVC is running really well, btw, once you drop into the trail propper. There is snow on the top clearing, but it is melting fast and shallow enough to just ride through it and the climbing trail just cleared up and goes.

I figured a mention of MVC would draw you out

[ghosthop]

What's the choice up/down on van cott? Or are you talking about the lower traverses?

Hiking it was nice this week, it's good to see some green in the foothills and work off some of the d(e)ad weight I picked up over the winter.

[Marshal Olson]

I figured a mention of MVC would draw you out

You know it, lol!

What's the choice up/down on van cott? Or are you talking about the lower traverses?

Hiking it was nice this week, it's good to see some green in the foothills and work off some of the d(e)ad weight I picked up over the winter.

Go up "The Grinder" from the Red Butte side, to the top. Then there are three ridges one can drop. The normal descent is the "third" finger rider's right / closest to Dry Creek. About 1/3 the way down, look for the faint right that stays on the ridge to avoid double track (but gives you a tight turn over a cliff), cross the first trail near them bottom, and go all the way to the BST.

The first finger - rider's left and drops in from just below MVC summit - has its ending move easily viewable from the Red Butte Concert Venue gate. It is fun rolling ridgeline at the top, and a very steep and rowdy last couple hundred feet. Not very many riders clean that last move, but now is the time to give it a go, as the dirt is quite good on it presently (gets super blown very fast).

The second (middle) finger is straight from the top of MVC. It is barely a trail in the middle, and the most rocky/technical and least steep of the three. It finishes right by the tight turn on BST half way between RB and Dry.

Anyhow, all of them go and are super fun, if that kind of riding is your thing.

[Touring_Sedan]

The trails in draper might need a little clean up before the season starts. [emoji51]

[Phall]

Wow


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[Boissal]

The first finger - rider's left and drops in from just below MVC summit - has its ending move easily viewable from the Red Butte Concert Venue gate. It is fun rolling ridgeline at the top, and a very steep and rowdy last couple hundred feet. Not very many riders clean that last move, but now is the time to give it a go, as the dirt is quite good on it presently (gets super blown very fast).

Emphasis on VERY steep and rowdy, the bottom can be truly sketch when it dries out. I've "cleaned" it by barely making the first gravely turns then bailing into the grass and hanging on for dear life until the flats. It might be the steepest continuous section I've ridden to date, gave me plenty of time to regret committing.

I've also reversed Marshall's approach and climbed from the northern end (just above the cancer institute) to drop into RedButte, that option has quality single track with fun tech moves and extremely pointy rocks. The up is mostly rideable but incredibly brutal. If I'm in need of even more punishment I'll go up the Skyline DH right after doing MVC, it's also rideable all the way but so sustained it would a miraculously low gravity day to clear in one go.

Living Room to Mt Wire then down George's Hollow is also a fun romp for the masochists out there. Quite a bit of pushing on the up with some hilarious sandy steeps on the down with the occasional tight turn, all under the adoring eyes of hundreds of "hikers" who can't wait to see you roll off into the brushy abyss.

[basinbeater]

Out and back trying to get to lost lad. Dry all the way up, but the cross over to get to the lad was snowy so i turned back and came back down the way i went up, wild rose.

[Canada1]

Bobsled dry? I mean am I going to feel guilty about the erosion and riding in a stream if I go to it?

[Canada1]

Another ?. I scared my daughter taking her out in some stuff that was too much for her new racing hardtail in Moab. I need a blue or green bermed, fast downhill, for her to get used to the 29” hoops. I know several around the house that might be dry in August. Any ideas on something like this open now?

[basinbeater]

Lower Wild rose dh is ok to ride. Kind of a mini mini bobsled. It's short though...

[Boissal]

Rode Shoreline yesterday from the zoo, 99% bone dry.

Went up MVC, a there are a couple of patches on top that can be ridden through, the rest is dry. I popped out of pedal trying to nose manual the exposed switchback Marshall mentioned, exciting moment trying to not air into DryCreek from the ridge.
Speaking of Dry Creek, there are signs of heavy water flow in there and a bit of damage to the trail but nothing that can't be ridden easily (including the 7 or 8 creek crossings). The only exception is the rocky crux which is currently a 30' section of flowing water. The creek reversed 20 years of trail sanitation in probably 20 minutes, that section is going to be challenging for a bit. The switchback also took a beating from water coming out the drainage there.
Didn't look at Bobsled, rode out Terror which has 1 snow patch but the rest is dry. Someone built a couple small berms below the jankiest loosest section, nice to have something to push into when the grip is non existent. Lime Kiln is in the same rowdy shape as last year with lots of looseness.

2nd ride of the year, already pushing and carrying the bike and finishing in the dark. Loving it!

[Dantheman]

Bobsled dry? I mean am I going to feel guilty about the erosion and riding in a stream if I go to it?

Some friends tried to ride it yesterday after hearing that was OK below the old entrance. The spring discharge must have picked up because they said it was a creek as far as they could see. They rode back up the old entrance and out BST.

[MegaStoke]

The lower three segments of the Bountiful B trail are mint right now. Also, if anyone knows who’s been working on the jumps up there, I’d be stoked to link up and help dig.

[east or bust]

Anyone want to go for a quick ride tomorrow AM? I can probably sneak out for 1.5-2hrs early. Staying in Sugarhouse


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[basinbeater]

I'll go for a ride tomorrow morning... I'm over by the u.

[east or bust]

I'll go for a ride tomorrow morning... I'm over by the u.

Sweet, sending ya a PM


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[GoSlowGoFar]

Tried to ride Bountiful B today. Made it about 3 miles up Skyline Drive and it was still mostly snow covered with some clear patches in between. Trail was dry below this point but looked to still have considerable patches of snow above.

[muted reborn]

Antelope Island report - insanely buggy and a bit hot

In related news - the Crest needs some time before it's rideable.

[MegaStoke]

Tried to ride Bountiful B today. Made it about 3 miles up Skyline Drive and it was still mostly snow covered with some clear patches in between. Trail was dry below this point but looked to still have considerable patches of snow above.

I also rode the B yesterday and strugglefucked my way up Skyline as far as I could to scope just how much snow remained.

The snow is entirely gone below the road crossing at 6160ft, and is in good shape.

I barely made it to the highest point where the trail crosses Skyline(elev. 6520ft), and dropped in there, to 50% snow covered trail that should be pretty clear in about a week.

I’m guessing three weeks til the uppermost section in the trees is snow free.

[Boissal]

I’m guessing three weeks til the uppermost section in the trees is snow free.

Putting this in the calendar, Parrish creek in the first couple weeks after it dries is definitely worth the slog.

Happy to report that the crux of Dry Creek has reverted to its former chunky glory and is properly techy to ride now. Almost made it yesterday, got thwarted by wet tires on slick rocks.
Unhappy to report that this happened to me on Skyline:



I was all riled up after Marshall said it was good to go and ignored the 2nd part of his sentence where he said it was even more chundery than usual. He wasn't kidding, the whole thing is filled with loose cobbles. I thought I was styling my way through it but the rear derailleur disagrees... Finished the down without the chain then shortened it to get back to the car single-speed, promptly blew 2 quicklinks as the chain had a couple of bends I hadn't notices which torqued them opened, and ended up walking to the car. Went back the next day with a shiny new derailleur and managed to keep it on the bike.

[basinbeater]

Happy to report that the crux of Dry Creek has been reverted to its former chunky glory and is properly techy to ride now. Almost made it yesterday, got thwarted by wet tires of slick rocks.

Agreed, Happy to see nature's handiwork. Also rode it yesterday, and two dabbed it. Totally doable. Next time!

[Phall]

FYI those trails off black mountain ridge looked dry as I was hiking around up there this morning.

[Boissal]

FYI those trails off black mountain ridge looked dry as I was hiking around up there this morning.

The gullies are flowing hard though. 70s Bush is a ways out, the one that starts between it and Terror is also wet with major water damage.
Terror is bone dry already and looser than ever, someone built a nice little berm at the bottom of the crux which has saved my ass already.

[Marshal Olson]

Good heads up @phall - but Not going to lie. I am scared of the bottom of suck me sideways/upper dry creek’s Riverbed portion rn…