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Powder Mountain Race Loop
The Powder Mountain Race Loop is a high-altitude romp at the tip-top of Powder Mountain Resort above Ogden Valley. This 6-mile loop combines singletrack and doubletrack in about equal portions. Peak altitude is 9030 ft, bottom 8600. Up-and-down riding brings the total climbing per loop to around 650 feet. This is a pretty ride with fantastic views. View north from the northeast corner of the ride, where stands of spruce alternate with meadows. Photos June 26, 2003 by Bruce. |
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The ride begins at the gate to the upper lodge at Powder Mountain. After a mile of doubletrack, you drop onto a curving, whirling, twisting mile of downhill meadow singletrack that's a riot to ride. A brief jaunt down doubletrack takes you to the ride's low point. From the doubletrack on the ridgeline, we're looking southwest towards mount Ogden. Mule's Ear blooms in the meadow. |
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The trail then climbs back, alternating between singletrack
and doubletrack several times. The riding is good, and the scenery is
fantastic.
The cool upper-altitude temperatures make this a great ride for a hot summer's day. On the day of my ride, temperature at 9000 feet was 64 degrees, while Ogden sweated at 92. The altitude will affect you -- push the uphills and you'll pant and hurt. Twisting downhill singletrack. How sweet
it is. |
| The race loop will clear of snow in mid June and remain open
through September.
Most of the singletrack has a fairly rocky base that stays firm after rains. Watch out for the flat areas of mule's ears -- these areas create epoxy mud. Another look at meadows and groves of trees, with mountain views that go on forever. |
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This trail is a fast ride. A strong rider acclimatized to altitude can
crank out a lap in around 30 minutes. So do it twice, or head for the
singletrack down the hill near the main Powder Mountain resort.
Race Day at the Intermountain Cup Series. 30 minutes per lap.
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| Ride notes, counterclockwise loop: 0.0 Go R around smaller gate on DT 0.2 Keep R on DT 1.0 Keep R on DT 1.1 R onto ST, head downhill N 41° 22.174' W 111° 44.839' 1.8 R onto DT N 41° 22.768' W 111° 44.670' 1.9 Keep L at DT fork 2.2 L onto ST N 41° 21.500' W 111° 44.422' 2.7 R on DT, climb N 41° 21.812' W 111° 44.637' 3.0 R on ST N 41° 21.963' W 111° 44.636' |
3.6 L on DT, stiffer climb 4.0 R onto ST N 41° 22.224' W 111° 44.706' 4.2 R on DT, becomes ST 4.9 Pass lift house, downhill 5.2 Climb onto DT, go R N 41° 22.164' W 111° 45.438' Rapid R off DT onto ST 5.4 Cross faint DT, climb up 5.6 L between buildings Keep L along edge of parking Find ST SE corner 5.8 ST drops onto original DT R to return to car, L = lap |
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Getting there: From I-15, take Exit 347 to Ogden Canyon. Drive 7 miles up U-39 and turn left across the Pine View dam onto U-158. 4 miles later in Eden, keep straight at the stop sign and drive 7 more miles to Powder Mountain. Just before you reach the main resort area parking (top of the mountain, end of the road), turn R on a gravel road and drive 1.3 miles. The road forks, with a gate at each fork (left is the lift lodge and parking). The ride starts by heading R around the gate on the smaller road. N 41° 22.087' W 111° 46.009' |
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For additional information, including
nearby lodging, rentals, camping, and current conditions, may we suggest: |
