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Gooseberry Mesa - South Rim and Hidden Canyon loop

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Difficult Difficult
 4.7 (71)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southwestern Utah
  4. …Hurricane and La Verkin
  5. Gooseberry Mesa
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“It's Gooseberry baby. One of the most famous trails in mountain biking. ”

Kevin Christopherson
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Map Key

7.9

Miles

12.6

KM

95%

Singletrack

5,329' 1,624 m

High

5,138' 1,566 m

Low

361' 110 m

Up

360' 110 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Gooseberry Mesa is a world class trail. You'll literally meet people from all over the world on this trail. It's one of the best technical trails anywhere with rolling slickrock, twisty singletrack, and vistas to die for. There are many different ways to ride this trail network, and they are all awesome.

The trail is marked with white paint dots on the slickrock and signs at the junctions. It is a difficult trail, but there are no surprises. If you don't feel comfortable riding a section, simply walk it. The loop described here starts on the South Rim, branches onto Hidden Canyon and ends on the Practice Trail. If this is your first time, you may want to ride the Practice Trail first to get your Gooseberry groove on. Bring lots of water. There is no drinking water available on the mesa. Primitive camping is permitted in the area.

Need to Know

There is no drinking water on the mesa. Also, do not drive the road after a storm, it's impassable when muddy, even with a 4x4 vehicle.

Description

The turnoff to Gooseberry Mesa is about 15 minutes east of Hurricane, Utah on Highway 59. There is a large sign on the highway directing you to Gooseberry Mesa. Turn north here onto an unpaved road. Follow the signs for about 30 minutes to the White Trail. The road is a little bumpy in places, but I've seen all types of cars at the trailhead. Just go slow if you are driving a low clearance vehicle. You can ride this trail year round, but do not try the road after a storm. When muddy, it's impassable, even for 4x4 vehicles.

The Gooseberry Mesa trail network sits at 5200 feet elevation on a slickrock mesa and it's like a giant urban bike park. The trail is marked with white paint dots on the slickrock and signs at the junctions. The network is a bit of a maze, but fairly easy to follow. The trail undulates up and down house size sandstone mounds and twists through tight rock canyons. It's the perfect technical mountain bike trail.

There are many ways to connect the various trails to make it longer or shorter, harder or easier, and they're all good. The loop described here is moderately technical (for Gooseberry), taking in part of the more difficult South Rim and finishing on the practice Trail.

The ride as mapped starts on the South Rim trail that leaves directly from the White Trail heading south. The sequence of trails going clockwise is; South Rim Trail - Hidden Canyon - (connector trail) - North Rim Trail - Bowls and Ledges - Practice Trail. This loop is only 8 miles, but don't be fooled. It will take most people around three hours to complete.

History & Background

This trail was created by the Harris brothers over 20 years ago. Morgan and others still work to maintain it. The effort that went into this trail, and still goes on, is a testament to the positive vibe of the mountain bike tribe. In 2006 it was granted National Recreation Trail Status. The BLM does a good job maintaining, and improving, the infrastructure associated with this trail network.

Contacts

Local Club: Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)

Land Manager: BLM Utah - St. George Field Office

Shared By:

Kevin Christopherson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 71 votes

#2

in Gooseberry Mesa

#149

Overall
  4.7 from 71 votes
5 Star
77%
4 Star
17%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Gooseberry Mesa

#18

in Utah

#149

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28,115 Since Sep 26, 2013
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Photos

The North Rim trail has plenty of forested sections and views of Zion National Park.
Apr 3, 2015 near Hurricane, UT
As the South Rim Trail turns back from the edge of Gooseberry Mesa, it traverses large islands of white slickrock.
Apr 2, 2015 near Hurricane, UT
Little Mori on the rocks of Hidden Canyon Trail
Apr 3, 2015 near Hurricane, UT
Just some of the fun stuff on Hidden Canyon.
Sep 26, 2013 near Hurricane, UT
Practice Loop with Zion National Park in the distant background.
Sep 26, 2013 near Hurricane, UT
Riding up a drop on South Rim.
Jan 19, 2018 near Hurricane, UT

8 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 6 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 23, 2023
Daniel keithdanielharvey@gmail.com
Super fun, early afternoon, caught rain
Oct 10, 2022
Kenny Bramwell
The app told me that there was a long delay in driving to the trailhead. There were no delays. The riding was fantastic!
Apr 5, 2022
Mountain Park
3.3mi — 1h 11m
Nov 21, 2021
Andrea Toupin
Nov 11, 2021
Trevor Thurman
Oct 16, 2021
Dave Harnsberger
7.9mi — 1h 50m
Oct 14, 2021
Sean Kim
Sep 8, 2021
Summer VanDelinder

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Stewarded by Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)
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