Brian Head Odyssey

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

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This is a race-inspired endurance ride covering 40 miles of trail and over 5,000 feet of elevation gain. With trails reaching heights of 11,000 feet, this loop is sure to challenge even the most seasoned riders. Offering stunning vistas, fast descents, and demanding climbs, it's a feast for the adventurous rider. This route connects some of the area's best trails including Dark Hollow, Bunker Creek, and Lowder Ponds.

Bring plenty of water, food, and sun protection for this long ride. High altitude riding can be extremely draining, so make sure you are prepared for an adventure of a lifetime. Certain sections of trail do have cell coverage, but you can expect it to be limited.

Park at the pit toilets near Brian Head Peak. Cross the road, and begin with a punchy climb up the Sydney Peak Trail. After summiting your first mini-peak, follow the trail for 1 mile before taking a left onto Dark Hollow.

Descend Dark Hollow, which drops 2,000 feet through burnt forest, berms, and high-speed singletrack. The hardest section of this trail is the first few hundred yards, so don't be deterred by this downhill. Once on Second Hand Canyon Road, take a right going uphill, quickly morphing into Sydney Valley Road. Follow this road for 4.3 miles and ascend 1,500 feet until reaching the top of Bunker Creek Right Fork.

Take a left down Right Fork Bunker Creek to ride a fun, fast-flowing trail, with a few off-camber loose sections to an obvious bridge. Take a right at the bridge, following Lower Bunker Creek through continually fun terrain, but in a desolate forest that burned significantly in 2018. Watch for fallen trees, as every windstorm knocks a few more onto the trail. After 6.9 miles of downhill riding, you'll reach a wide, obvious road, turn left to climb back toward the entrance of Lower Bunker Creek.

Cross the bridge again, watching for a small singletrack on your right a few hundred yards into the trail. Take this up the Left Fork of Bunker Creek for a grueling 1,300 foot climb to the Sydney Peak Trail.

Climb Sydney Peak Trail for 2.8 miles to the junction with Louder Ponds Loop. Take a break here to check on your legs and make sure you're ready for more. You are close to the vehicle here if you decide to call it a day.

If you want to continue, descend Louder Ponds Trail with 4.4 miles of downhill totaling 1,000 more feet of loss. It's over when you hit Sydney Valley Road once again. Turn left to climb the road for 2.3 miles, ascending 500 feet back to the Sydney Peaks Trail, then repeat the climb to the Louder Ponds junction, plus the extra mile and a half to get back to your car.