Retail Sale Trail

Retail Sale

Retail Sale is a fun singletrack trail just west of Vernal. This loop undulates and twists 8 miles through colorful desert dirt and rock. Altitude is 5300 feet. Absolute altitude change is 250 feet; total climbing on this trail will be around 800. The trail isn't too tough aerobically, but it will be quite hot at mid-day in the summer. Because of narrow track, tricky sections, off-camber turns, and a bit of rough rock, we'd rate the trail upper-intermediate technical.

Photo above: Troy (of Altitude Cycle in Vernal) flies free of earth on Retail Sale. August 27, 2004 photo by Bruce.

This trail was developed by local riders specifically for mountain bikers. It's a fun and fast ride. The few tricky sections are short and easily walked by intermediate riders. Some areas have embedded boulders that will pound a hardtail bike. While we found the center of the trail firm, the raised trail-edge is soft and will grab your tires if you drift off-line.

Mike, Troy, and Chad climb through the red dirt and sandstone rock. Much of the terrain here formed from sediments washed down from the Uinta Mountains. Photo by Bruce.

This is desert riding. You'll find plenty of cactus right alongside the trail. Stay on the trail. The soil is very soft and fragile, and you'll quickly dig in and die if you veer off. Stay on the trail. Good bike-handling skills are important, because some ugly rocks have been placed to corral you onto the correct riding line. Stay on the trail.

The trail makes multiple dips through a gazillion washes and climbs over countless small ridges. Here Bruce powers through a side-slope turn with the helmet-camera running. Photo by Mike.

This is a good trail, fun to ride. There's a lot of good stuff in the Vernal area, with several other riding loops adjacent to Retail Sale.

At right, Chad rolls along wide-open desert. Photo by Mike.

Conditions on this trail can change quickly, due to rain, snow, and livestock. We suggest you stop by Altitude Cycle in Vernal to get the latest trail conditions. Pick up a local trail guide (above, left) with topo maps and detailed trail descriptions.

Navigation, counterclockwise ride:
0.0   Cross pavement to start doubletrack
0.1   Veer R onto ST (L is return track)
1.1   Keep R
        (Fire Sale veers L after 1st open rock)

1.3   Fork L (Got Milk? is R fork)
        ...ST continues at all DT intersections;
        do not follow DT except at trailhead.
7.8   Back onto DT
7.9   Back to parking

Getting there: From the View Area just west of Vernal on US-40, travel west (away from Vernal) exactly 1.9 miles. Spot a narrow paved road (McCoy Flat Road) on the left at N 40° 23.427' W 109° 35.752'. Drive 3 miles on McCoy Flat road until you see an old corral on your left. Park near the coral N 40° 21.022' W 109° 34.913'. The trail starts on the doubletrack across the road from the corral.

Riding resources:
No bathrooms in area.
Lodging, camping, shops:
Links to Vernal area resources

Thanks to Troy at Altitude Cycle
for guiding us on this trail!