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Precipice/Sidewinder/Barrel Roll loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.2 (44)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southwestern Utah
  4. …St. George
  5. …Santa Clara
  6. Santa Clara River Reserve Trail System
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“A fun loop on trails built just for mountain bikes. ”

Kevin Christopherson
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Map Key

7.9

Miles

12.8

KM

95%

Singletrack

3,643' 1,110 m

High

2,824' 861 m

Low

946' 288 m

Up

952' 290 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

This is a great link-up of several really good trails, all very well designed and well built. The loop mapped here is 95% singletrack with great vistas, fast climbing, good swithcbacks, and fun roller coaster descents. Clockwise is the best way to ride this loop. There are several intersections with other trails in the network, but they are well marked. It's easy to find your way around.

Description

Start by parking on Gates Lane in Santa Clara. Look for the singletrack trail heading south up the hill. Hop on this trail and start climbing. You'll eventually pass a water tank, after which the trail levels out and continues until it T's at a dirt road. Take a right and head up the road, where you'll quickly see the parking area for the Cove Wash trailhead on your left. You can drive to the Cove Wash trailhead if you have a high clearance vehicle.

From the Cove Wash trailhead, head west onto the Precipice Trail. Continue on Precipice to Sidewinder. These two trails are a little more difficult than just heading straight to Barrel Roll, but they're a nice addition.

Complete the Sidewinder lollipop loop back to Barrel Roll. Go left onto Barrel Roll, then right onto the Ilusion Connector short cut the tougher outer portion of Barrel Roll loop. From Illusion, go right on Barrel Roll and return to the parking area. If I've got the time, I skip the Illusion Trail connector and do the entire Barrel Roll loop.

Barrel Roll is a fun trail with nice descents. It's not too technical overall, but there is one short section that is really for advanced riders only. It's easily walkable if it's above your skill level.

Contacts

Local Club: Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)

Land Manager: BLM Utah - St. George Field Office

Shared By:

Kevin Christopherson with improvements by Daniel Schoon
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 44 votes

#2

in Santa Clara River Reserve Trail System

#458

Overall
  4.2 from 44 votes
5 Star
32%
4 Star
57%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Santa Clara River Rese…

#45

in Utah

#458

Overall
138 Views Last Month
17,614 Since Sep 4, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Hell yeah! Get to the top of Sidewinder and take in a view that's to die for!
Mar 20, 2017 near Santa C…, UT
Rounding the corner on Sidewinder with the beautiful Snow Canyon and Pine Mountains in the background.
Mar 14, 2016 near Santa C…, UT
Riding the Santa Clara trails is sure to put a smile on your face!
May 8, 2017 near Santa C…, UT
Overlooking Pine Mountain from the Sidewinder Trail in St. George.
May 3, 2016 near Santa C…, UT
In the gully of Suicidal Tendencies, a must-ride in St. George!
Mar 14, 2016 near Santa C…, UT
Crux at the end of the lollipop.
Oct 18, 2017 near Santa C…, UT

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Stewarded by Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)
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