Skull Rock - Big Canyon Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

The combination of Skull Rock and Big Canyon is one of the highest-value descents in the Grandview Ridge area. The drop down Skull Rock is fast and flowy, finishing with a steep slab ride to drop into the top of Big Canyon. Big Canyon itself is a superb downhill, with innumerable whoops and rolls and a rock wall ride in the bottom of the canyon. The Grandview Ridge area is also often wrongly overlooked by riders, meaning that you might have the place all to yourself.

The ride begins from the Sale Barn trailhead, climbing steeply up to the mellow top of a mesa. At the fork, you can go either direction as the trails eventually rejoin. At the junction with Cowboy, you can either opt to climb Cowboy, or follow the route as mapped here.

After passing the top of Big Canyon (you'll come back to this spot), the climb steepens to the junction with Cowboy. Past that junction, the climb gets even steeper, with a fairly stiff hoof up to the junction with Sidewinder.

Take a left on Sidewinder and pedal along, looking carefully for the left turn onto Skull Rock. While it's signed, it can still be easy to miss Skull Rock.

Skull Rock starts off steep and flowy. Soon, it blasts down a series of great rock ledge drops. A short climb in the middle throws a bit of a wrench in this great descent, but that climb brings you to the finale — a ripping drop down steep trail followed by a fairly steep roll down a disintegrating rock slab.

Back at the Big Canyon junction, take a right down Big Canyon for a fast, fun, consistent downhill, albeit on a mellow grade. This classic canyon downhill rolls in and out of the canyon bottom, with ups and downs, quick turns, and one noteworthy rock wallride.

At the bottom of Big Canyon, take a left on the road to ride back to the trailhead. Go straight through the stoplight and follow the road around the bends to return to the Sale Barn trailhead.