Ben Lomond Trail
This is a six-mile climb (or descent) up the east side of Ben Lomond, rising 3000 feet. That's about a 10% average rate of climb, folks. Add the narrowness of the trail, some areas with loose rock, and a bit of brush overgrowth, and you've got a ride that's only for strong skilled bikers. It's a beautiful ride with great views. It can be done as an out-and-back as a 12.2 mile round-trip. Or do a shuttled ride: From the North Ogden Divide, it's 2500 vertical up the Northern Skyline, then 3000 feet descent to North Fork Park, with a total distance of 12.6 miles.
The loop ride is 19.3 miles: 6.1 for Ben Lomond, 6.5 Northern Skyline, and 6.7 on the road. Total vertical is 3500, with the low point on the paved road at 5200 feet elevation. Clockwise, there's 1000 feet of paved-road climbing, then 2500 up the Northern Skyline. The Northern Skyline is a much easier climb than Ben Lomond. Counterclockwise, you only suffer 500 feet of paved-road climbing, then 3000 on singletrack.

Riding notes, Ben Lomond climb:
0.0  Start from North Fork Park TH
0.1  Straight (R) uphill
5.1  Hard L uphill (straight = Cutler Spring)
6.1  Top of ridge. R=Ben Lomond Peak
L = Northern Skyline descent.

Getting there, Ben Lomond trailhead: Go up Ogden Canyon. (From the north on I-15, take the 12th South Ogden exit and head east on Highway 39. From the south, exit I-15 on US 89. Pass I-84 and climb up the hill, then turn right on Harrison Blvd. Continue on Harrison until you hit U-39 and turn R toward Ogden Canyon.) Turn left across the dam at Pineview Reservoir. At the stop sign in Eden, turn left. Turn left at the stop sign in Liberty. After about 1/4 mile, take the next right. Turn left toward North Fork Park just after you cross the river. Turn left again at the North Fork Park sign. Stay on the main road past a couple of camping loops. Turn left toward the stables, then keep generally straight until you see parking and a metal horse corral on your right. Park just north of the horse corral, and you'll see the trailhead directly west.
Getting there, for loop starting at North Ogden Divide: From the Ogden 12th Street exit, drive east (towards the mountains). At 400 East (Washington), turn left (north) and drive 5 miles. After the street narrows, veers slightly east, and enters a residential area, turn right (east) at 3100 North. Drive 4.1 miles to the parking area on your right, at the highest spot of the North Ogden Divide. The trail begins right across the road from the turn-in to the parking area. Alternate, via Ogden Valley: Drive straight into Ogden Canyon from the 12th Street exit. At Pineview Reservoir, turn left across the dam. At the stop sign in Eden (shopping center and gas station), turn left. Turn left again at the stop sign in Liberty, then go straight west until the road begins climbing up to the Divide.

Copyright 2008 Mad Scientist Software Inc. Trail conditions change. Use this trail guide at your own risk.