Cassidy Trail

Cassidy Trail

The Cassidy Trail is a little-known but awesome ride. The trail is upper-intermediate technical, moderate aerobic. Trailhead is at 7200 feet, rising to 7900. The trail starts on Highway 12 in Red Canyon, and connects to the Casto Canyon and Losee Canyon trails. Ride options include out-and-back (to Braxton Point 5.5 miles round trip), loop with Losee Canyon (14 miles), or a loop with Casto Canyon (20 miles).

The Cassidy Trail lies on Claron Formation limestone, creating colorful rock formations. Photos by Bruce, July 31, 2004.

The Cassidy Trail is a lot like Thunder Mountain, which is located just on the other side of highway 12. This is probably the greatest ride you've never heard of. Done as a loop (or shuttle ride) up Cassidy then down Losee Canyon, it's a world-class ride.

The scenery is colorful limestone with a sprinkling of manzanita, cedar, long-leaf and bristlecone pine. Temperatures are warm but tolerable at mid-day in summer.

Bruce pilots "Banana Thunder" down Losee Canyon.

UtahMountainBiking.com for bike trail info, repair instructions, feature articles, first aid, fitness, and goodies.

Cassidy to Losee Canyon Loop, counterclockwise
0.0   Trailhead on U-12, N on ST
        N 37° 44.111' W 112° 18.089'
0.9   Fork R (L = Rich Trail)
        N 37° 45.320' W 112° 17.890'
2.3   Rich Trail rejoins
2.4   Fork L (R = Rich Trail)
        N 37° 45.775' W 112° 18.349'
2.8   View, Braxton Point
        N 37° 46.062' W 112° 18.352' Alt=7860
3.2   Trails rejoin and split, veer R (L = Rich)
        N 37° 45.944' W 112° 17.963'

View from Braxton Point, top of Cassidy Trail

3.5   Rich Trail rejoins on L
        N 37° 46.036' W 112° 17.724'
5.2   Begin steep descent
5.7   Bottom of canyon, L to Losee
        (R = Cassidy continues to Casto)
        N 37° 46.638' W 112° 17.292'
9.1   Losee Canyon trailhead, L on gravel road
        N 37° 46.183' W 112° 20.054'
11    L up paved road
12    Transfer to paved bike trail along road
14.1 Watch for trailhead (hard to see across road)

Nearing the bottom of Losee Canyon. You can shuttle from here to the Red Canyon trailhead, or complete the loop with 5 miles on gravel and pavement.

Getting there: From US-89, drive 4.2 miles east on U-12 (towards Bryce Canyon National Park). Pass the Thunder Mountain trailhead, the Visitor's Center, and a campground. Watch for a turnoff into a well-hidden parking area on the left, signed "Red Canyon Trailhead." The Cassidy Trail begins at the northeast corner of the parking area. N 37° 44.111' W 112° 18.089'

Thanks to Jon Parker for GPS track file.

Riding resources for this trail:
One-page guide to this trail
GPS track file for Cassidy-Losee Loop, varies from above description by using part of Rich Trail (right-click and "Save as...")::
    Garmin    National Geographic   Google Earth   GPX
GPS track for Casto-Cassidy-Losee (right-click and "Save as..."):
   Garmin    National Geographic    Google Earth   GPX
Medium-res topo:   View
High-res topo includes Casto (700 KB):   View
Lodging, camping, shops:
     Links to Red Canyon area resources