Dogs Unknown
Family Friendly
Fantastic vistas of Zion National Park, fun hiking, and a 3 mile out-and-back two track to a view point for beginners.
There is no camping allowed within 1/2 mile of the main road (Smithsonian Butte road).
Description
The Wire Mesa Loop is a fun, technical singletrack with amazing vistas of Zion National Park. It's not a beginner trail because of the technical section. It's a faster, flowing trail compared to other mesa trails like Gooseberry Mesa, and provides a different riding experience for the area. It's also a great learning trail for peeps that are not quite ready to take on the more advanced mesa rides (gooseberry mesa). This trail has plenty of technical slick rock, lots of short up and downs that challenge cardiac fitness. Bring plenty of water. Drinking water is not available on the mesa. When dry and hot, can be sandy.
The loop was designed to ride both ways, and it's really fun in both directions. The west rim flows a littler faster clockwise, but the tech stuff on the east rim is a little easier ridden counterclockwise. Many peeps will want to ride it one direction, and then ride it the other way for a 15-mile ride. It feels like a different trail each direction. If traveling counter clockwise you will encounter slick rock pretty much immediately. For beginners it might be best to warm up on the west side of the trail by going clockwise before hitting the technical stuff on the east side.
There are three signed "Easy/More Difficult" splits along the trail. Be warned the "More Difficult" routes have Black Diamond level features. This map follows the easier option on the splits.
There is also a doubletrack road that travels 1.5 miles north from the trailhead that is a great beginner out-and-back ride. It goes to the rim with amazing views in every direction, and intersects the Wire Mesa Loop. Beginners can ride this doubletrack and meet the rest of their group for a break at the rim. The doubletrack also makes a great exit point if riders need to make an early exit from the loop.
Google Maps may give you the option of going up from Rockville or from Highway 59 on the Hurricane side. Do not go the Rockville way unless you have a good 4x4 vehicle.
Contacts
Shared By:
Kevin Christopherson
with improvements
by Elizabeth Kellerman
and 1 other
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