MTB Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

JEM/Goulds Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.0 (63)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southwestern Utah
  4. …Hurricane and La Verkin
  5. Hurricane Cliffs Trail System
Explore MTB in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A local favorite with easy climbs and fast flowy descents. ”

Kevin Christopherson
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

13.8

Miles

22.2

KM

80%

Singletrack

4,318' 1,316 m

High

3,454' 1,053 m

Low

604' 184 m

Up

915' 279 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

One section of the Jem Trail is now ONE WAY. From the Jem Trailhead to the intersection of Goosebumps Trail (1.41 miles) the direction of use is North (downhill).

Overview

This is a local favorite. Sometimes called Jewels as a JEM-Goulds mash up. It's the ride to do when you just want to go fast and easy. It has it all; great views, easy climbing, and fast flowy descending. It combines the easiest and fastest section of the trails in this network.

Need to Know

There can be 2-way traffic on part of this route, so keep your eyes open. Most of the time there is a very good line-of-sight so its easy to avoid any problems.

Description

The trailhead can be a little hard to find, but the MTB Project mobile app should lead you right to it. Turn right off of State Road 9 onto Sheep Bridge Road just before you enter Virgin, Utah. Cross the Virgin River and take the first right after the cattle guard. Follow the two track to the end (this is the trailhead).

The trail starts as you leave the parking lot heading west downstream along the rim above the Virgin River. There are great views of the river with Zion National Park in the background. The trail is obvious at this point. As you leave the canyon rim the trail hits a dirt road and it can be a little confusing (mile 1.3). Go right (west) on the road for about 100 yards until you cross a (usually) dry wash. Turn left after the wash and look for the brown trail sign to get back onto the singletrack.

At mile 1.6, you'll come to the Hurricane rim trail junction - stay left on the JEM trail. You'll cross over a few double tracks, but the trail is obvious on the other side of the roads. At Mile 4.5 you come to a well maintained gravel road. Do not cross the gravel road onto the trail on the other side (you'll come down this trail on the return trip). Turn right (south) here, and follow the gravel road south for about 1/2 mile to State Road 59. Cross the highway and turn left, then go about 100 yards and then go right (south) on the dirt road (mile 5.2).

After about a mile (mile 6.3) look for corrals on your left (east). Turn here and follow the road past the corrals. You'll see another brown sign marking the singletrack. Follow the trail until it crosses State Road 59 again this time heading north (mile 8.8). After crossing the highway take the dirt road south to the upper JEM parking lot.

Look for the singletrack on your right (east) immediately after you cross the fence on a small bike cattle guard (mile 9.1). Get ready for one of the best xc descents anywhere. Simply follow the singletrack back to the Sheep Bridge parking area (and your car). The singletrack crosses a few dirt roads, but you'll be having so much fun you may not even notice. This description makes it sound more difficult than it actually is!

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

  4.0 from 63 votes

#3

in Hurricane Cliffs Trail System

#312

Overall
  4.0 from 63 votes
5 Star
27%
4 Star
54%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Hurricane Cliffs Trail…

#37

in Utah

#312

Overall
94 Views Last Month
23,109 Since Aug 11, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
2%
7%
87%
0%
4%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Jeremy takes in the view from the lookout about 1 mile into the ride. Expect pretty spectacular views from the JEM Trail!
Mar 6, 2017 near LaVerkin, UT
A little pause to take it all in...
Mar 26, 2018 near LaVerkin, UT
This is the part where JEM really gets rockin'
Apr 2, 2015 near Hurricane, UT
Here comes a storm...
May 3, 2016 near LaVerkin, UT
Almost at the end on Jem trail.
Apr 18, 2017 near LaVerkin, UT
Teena bombing it down the JEM trail back to the Sheep Bridge trailhead. You can see the town of Virgin, and Zion National Park in the background.
Aug 11, 2013 near LaVerkin, UT

5 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 23, 2024
Gilbert Yu
Dec 7, 2023
Scott Bushbaum
Sep 5, 2023
Private User
Mar 28, 2023
Forest Ferkin
Feb 20, 2023
Justine Whimpey
Apr 23, 2022
Emily Thoures
16.3mi
Sep 27, 2021
Patty Norona
12.5mi
Sep 27, 2021
Patty Norona
12.3mi

Nearby Recommended Routes

Stewarded By

Stewarded by Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started