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This route has been edited to use the Sheep Bridge TH (Spring '23), cutting out the northeastern section of the
JEM Trail.
Overview
One of the best link-ups in Southern Utah. This loop includes the
Hurricane Rim Trail,
Goulds Rim, and
JEM Trail for 20+ miles on mostly singletrack.
This loop is a roller coaster ride with great vistas, easy climbing, fast flowing descending, and some technical sections. It combines many of the trails in this network.
Need to Know
There are bike tools and a pump at the kiosk.
Description
Because it combines three different trails you can start from any one of the trailheads, with this route using the Sheep Bridge TH, passing the Jem TH off Hwy 59 around mile 16 and access to the Hurricane Cliffs TH around mile 18.
The Sheep Bridge trailhead can be a little tricky to find, but the MTB Project mobile app should lead you right to it. Turn south off of State Road 9 onto Sheep Bridge Road just outside Virgin, Utah. Cross the Virgin River and continue across the cattle guard. Follow the dirt road past the Hurricane Cliffs BLM Rec Area to the parking area (this is the trailhead).
The
Cryptobionic trail starts as you leave the parking lot heading north. Look for the brown trail sign to get onto the singletrack.
Within a hundred yards, you'll come to the
JEM Trail junction - turn right onto the
JEM Trail. Continue northeast until the Hurricane Ridge Trail, turn left (west), and you're on your way.
Follow this fun, rocky trail along the rim above the river to the Hurricane Rim trailhead. From the Hurricane Rim trailhead around mile 7.3, go down the highway about 1,000 feet. (Be careful on the highway because the shoulder is very narrow.) Turn onto the doubletrack on your left and climb for about two miles and then, as you reach the top of the hill, watch for the singletrack branching off to the left.
Follow the
Goulds Rim trail flowing climb until you cross a well maintained gravel road and look for corrals across this road. Head toward the corrals and follow the dirt road passing the corrals on the south (right). You'll see another brown sign marking the singletrack just past the corrals.
Follow the trail until it crosses State Road 59 again (this time heading north). After crossing the highway, take the short dirt road south to the upper JEM parking lot.
Ride through the parking lot and look for the singletrack on your right (east) immediately after crossing the fence on a small bike cattle guard. Get ready for one of the best xc descents anywhere. Simply follow the
JEM Trail singletrack back to the Sheep Bridge TH parking area (and your car).
Contacts
Shared By:
Kevin Christopherson
with improvements
by Evan Springer
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