Dutch Canyon Trail System

Dutch Canyon Trail System is a series of interconnected singletrack loops, plus a couple of out-and-backs. The typical segment of trail is about 1.5 to 3 miles, so you can put together an amazing variety of rides. The full system offers around 12 miles of singletrack, plus the Dutchman Road. These trails were built specifically for riding, not as a route to a destination.

Typical trail view, with narrow singletrack twisting through small groves of trees -- usually gambel aok, but occasional maple and choke cherry. Photos June 2, 2003 by Bruce.

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The trails are located in a foothill area just northeast of Midway, southwest of Jordanelle Reservoir. Trailhead altitude is 5750 feet. Peak singletrack altitude is 6400. Trail distance is up to you. There are dozens of riding combinations -- and the same trail is a completely different experience when taken in the opposite direction.

There are many ridgelines from which to grab a fabulous view. The snow-covered tops of Provo Peak (left) and Timpanogos (right) are barely visible. The large central tree is bitterbrush.

You're riding through a scrub forest of Gambel Oak, with an occasional maple and choke cherry. Areas between oak groves are filled with sage. The trail base is mostly red dirt, with occasional outcrops of rough conglomerate. The dirt is veeeerrrry soft and sticky when wet. Horses can severely damage these trails in early spring.

View back towards the farms of Midway from lower altitude, on Dutchman Way.
You can create loop rides from trails that are smooth and reasonably easy (Aqueduct, Cottontail, Dutchman). Or hit the tough stuff (Boneyard, 1000 Turns, Enchanted Forest) for narrow and rough with roots, rocks, and stumps. It's your call. The tougher singletrack is very narrow, with close-in oak, so you can have yourself a pretty mean ride.

View from the Boneyard trail, looking northeast towards US-40. The tan area is the Jordanelle Dam.

Most riders use Dutchman Road as part of a loop including Dutchman Way or the Sage Loop. Upper Dutchman Road is pretty, but it's significantly tougher than the singletrack. After two miles the road begins climbing in earnest, 500 vertical per mile, with rocks, creek crossings, and loose tilted stuff. As you gain altitude, you enter maple, then aspen forest. The ridgeline is a long 4 miles away at 7400 feet elevation.

Handlebar view on the Dutchman Road. Although you may think the "road" should be easy, it's a pretty tough ride after the first two miles.
Here's a great riding route for advanced riders:
From the parking area, backtrack to the paved-road turnaround. At the end of the turnaround, head north on Dutchman Way for your warm-up. Drop downhill on Dutchman Road 1/4 mile, and hang a right to climb up Sage. At the ridgeline, turn left on Enchanged Forest. Loop around 1000 Turns then backtrack down that first section of Enchanted Forest. Now head on to Boneyard. Follow Boneyard around to Gobblers Grove and turn left to get back to your starting point. Now head south (left) to continue the Sage Loop. Before touching the parking area, turn hard right and head up Cottontail. Reaching Burnt Ridge, head to the Lookout, admire the view, then backtrack and catch the homeward bound half of Cottontail back to parking.
Getting There:  From Provo Canyon, drive east to the end of Deer Creek Reservoir. Right where the water ends, turn left (north) on U-113. Zero your odometer. Drive north 3.8 miles into Midway, and turn right (east) as U-113 turns right in the middle of town. 0.4 miles later (mile 4.2), turn left (north) on River Road. Keep right at mile 5.4, turning east. At mile 6.1, a sign points you to Dutchman Hollow - Dutch Canyon. Turn left and drive 0.5 mile on pavement. The pavement ends at a turnaround where the Dutchman Way trail begins, GPS N 40° 32.495' W 111° 27.224'. Turn right downhill at the sign for Wasatch Mountain State Park. The preferred parking area is 0.3 miles down the gravel road to your right. Trailhead info (and bathroom) is at GPS N 40° 32.704' W 111° 27.187'

From Salt Lake City, go up Parleys Canyon on I-80, then turn right (south) on US-40. Just after descending from the dam, watch for River Road on your right. Drive about 2 miles, turning right at the Dutch Canyon sign. Find the trailhead as above.

For a single-page, printable trail guide, click here!

For additional information, including nearby lodging, rentals, camping, and current conditions, may we suggest:
Heber info:  http://www.go-utah.com/heber-city 
 Sundance Resort (summer biking):  http://www.sundanceresort.com/
Park City area info and lodging:  http://www.parkcityinfo.com/ 
Deer Valley Resort:  http://www.deervalley.com/ 
Park City Mountain Resort:  http://www.parkcitymountain.com/
The Canyons Resort:  http://www.thecanyons.com/ 
Utah outdoor activities:  http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/ 
Camping:  http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/camping.htm 
Utah website:  http://www.utah.com/ 
Ranger District, Uinta National Forest: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/uinta/

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