Paradise Canyon Trail

The Paradise Canyon Trail is one of the more technical rides at Brian Head. It includes the toughest section of the Dark Hollow Trail, then heads off on its own advanced-tech downhill course as it branches away from Dark Hollow. It can be done by an upper-intermediate rider with a few hike-a-bikes, but if you don't think of yourself as an expert, our recommendation is pass on this ride and do Bunker Creek.

Dominic ducks under a fallen aspen as he pivots a tight turn. Photos by Bruce, September 2003.

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If you start on Brian Head Peak, you'll drop from 11,300 (11,000 if you start from the shuttle parking area rather than the peak) to 6600 feet at the mouth of Second Left-hand Canyon. If you roll into Parowan, you'll drop a full vertical mile to 5,300 feet. But to avoid riding on the highway, most riders park their shuttle vehicle at the mouth of Second Left-hand Canyon. Length of the combined singletrack and doubletrack to the highway is 12 miles. Add 4 miles of paved road if you're going into Parowan.

Matt launches on the Sydney Peaks portion of the trail, before the left-hand turn down towards Dark Hollow.

This trail has a VIDEO.

Our mileage on this trail isn't exact, because we blundered onto this trail when the Dark Hollow trail was closed for logging. But you'll find it's not hard to navigate. There are only three forks, and you'll go left-right-right.

There's plenty of fun stuff to do here. Mike takes air off the volcanic rock of Brian Head Peak.

Here's the basic ride description:
0.0  From the parking lot on the road to Brian Head Peak,
       go uphill slightly and across the road to start east on ST
1.4  4-way fork, go L down the Dark Hollow Trail
       Vicious tech rock ahead...
2.2  Fork right in a meadow area and drop steeply downhill
       off the Dark Hollow trail onto Paradise Canyon
5     Keep straight as the Dark Hollow trail rejoins on L
6     Sharp L onto the Second Left-hand Canyon Road
12   At U-143. To loop, turn left uphill.

Matt rocks down the mean section of upper Dark Hollow.

The Paradise Canyon section of this ride is in damp lush forest. Spruce gives way to aspen, with an understory full of wildflowers and ferns. This is a beautiful ride.

In Paradise Canyon, Dom leads Matt through one of countless hairpin turns.

The trail twists tightly downhill, with a few steep drops. On our ride, the UMB crew was ambushed by a rainstorm, which made the steep root-and-slime plunges a tad more interesting. Near the bottom, you'll take a few dips through the creek before reaching the Second Left-hand Canyon road.

Dom and Matt cruise downhill along the creek.

Shuttle service is available from the bike shops at Brian Head. Cost per rider (summer 2001) is $12.

For a one-page summary trail guide for your printer, click here.

Getting there:  Leave your shuttle car on U-143, anywhere below Second Left-hand Canyon (the canyon is the second gravel road on the left after entering the canyon above Parowan). GPS of the intersection of U-143 with the Second Left-hand Canyon road is N 37° 47.931' W 112° 49.350'. On U-143, head up the canyon from Brian Head to the summit. Just 1/4 mile past the summit sign, turn left on a gravel road (N 37° 40.136' W 112° 50.350'). Drive 1.8 miles to a parking area on the left. The trail starts on the singletrack slightly uphill and across the road from the parking area. (NOT the singletrack heading west directly from the parking area, which takes you back into Brian Head.) Or, you can continue another 0.7 miles to the peak of the mountain to start your ride at GPS N 37° 40.904' W 112° 49.827'.

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Copyright 2003 Mad Scientist Software Inc

For lodging in the Brian Head - Cedar Breaks area, as well as travel guides and information on other activities, may we suggest:
Brian Head Resort:  http://www.brianhead.com/   http://www.go-utah.com/Brian-Head 
Cedar Breaks:  http://www.nps.gov/cebr/   http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/cedar_breaks.htm 
 Cedar City area BLM info:  http://www.ut.blm.gov/cedarcity_fo/ 
Dixie National Forest site:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie/recreation/ 
Navajo Lake Camping:  http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/navajolake.html 
Utah National Forest Camping and Picnic sites:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/maps/brochures/camp_picnick_utah.pdf
Bryce Canyon National Park:  http://www.nps.gov/brca  http://www.bryce.canyon.national-park.com/ 
Zion National Park:  http://www.nps.gov/zion/    http://www.zion.national-park.com/   http://www.zioncanyon.com/ 
St. George info:  http://www.utah.com/stgeorge/   http://www.go-utah.com/St-George