Gooseberry Northeast Rim
This singletrack trail follows the northeastern edge of Gooseberry Mesa. It starts at the Windmill Trailhead. The length of the singletrack is around 10 miles. A loop ride using the mesa road to return to the trailhead would be about 14.5 miles. The ride is a cruiser, with a high of 5100 to a low of 4600 feet elevation. I'd estimate total climbing at about 1300. The trail is narrow Gooseberry singletrack -- meandering through the pinion and juniper, with crunchy Shimarump conglomerate rock to navigate. It's advanced technical, but can be handled by an intermediate with some short judiciously-chosen hikes.
Riding notes, clockwise loop:
0.0   West from parking N37 09.090 W113 09.940
Turn right at the sign N37 09.091 W113 10.004
0.4 Right as trail turns 90 degrees L
N37 09.346 W113 10.112
0.6    Cross view area, take middle DT
N37 09.424 W113 09.993
0.7    Leave DT for southbound ST
N37 09.414 W113 09.921
1.5    Straight. DT on R bails out
N37 09.165 W113 09.505
4.9     Cross fence
N37 08.581 W113 08.213
4.9     Cross fence
N37 08.581 W113 08.213
8.5    Cross DT (or go R on DT for main mesa rd)
N37 08.366 W113 06.607
9.1     Cross wash, R uphill (9.0 by GPS)
N37 07.953 W113 06.496
9.6    Pass through or around corral (9.4 by GPS)
N37 07.706 W113 06.798
10.4   R on mesa road (10.2 by GPS)
N37 07.225 W113 06.935
11.2  Pass bailout DT (from mi 8.5) N37 07.826 W113 07.190
13.5  R at bathroom
14.5  Back at parking
Getting there -- North: As you approach Zion National Park in Rockville, turn south (right) on Bridge Road. After crossing the Virgin River, the dirt road winds up the mesa. Keep left at the fork at 1.5 miles. Continue to a total of 6.2 miles, where you turn right at a sign "Gooseberry Mesa." Another 3.6 miles after the turnoff, take the right fork as you pass the outhouse. One mile later, you'll see a windmill on the left side of the road. Turn into the parking area at the windmill GPS N 37° 09.090' W 113° 09.973'.
Getting there -- South: As you pass through Hurricane heading east, turn right at the Highway 9 sign. (If you start exit town without making a right-turn, you went past it.) One block later, turn left and drive out of town. About 15 minutes later, you'll pass a gas station on the left-hand side, then some fields. Watch for a "Scenic Byway" sign, and turn left onto a dirt road. Two miles later, just as you reach the mountain, the Gooseberry Mesa road turns off on your left. Another 3.6 miles after the turnoff, take the right fork as you pass the outhouse. One mile later, you'll see a windmill on the left side of the road. Turn into the parking area at the windmill GPS N 37° 09.090' W 113° 09.973'.
Copyright 2010 Mad Scientist Software Inc. Trail conditions and alignments change. Use this trail guide at your own risk.