South Cottonwood Creek to Fox Creek Ranger Station

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

This is an intermediate length and technical ride that is great for days when it's hot out. You'll cross through the creek 4 times (or carry your bike across a log bridge) and pedal through the woods, providing much-needed coverage from the heat of the sun throughout the vast majority of the ride.

This is bear country; bring bear spray!

To get there, follow South Cottonwood Road out of town and take a left onto Cottonwood Canyon Road (dirt road) for about two miles to the trailhead, which will be on your right. There is a small parking lot that can hold about 10-15 cars; if this fills up, you can simply park along the road.

Start at the parking lot trailhead and make your way up the switchbacks and through the woods. The first 2.5 miles to the first junction (with the Wheeler Gulch Trail) is highly used by hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers alike so is best utilized during off-peak times. The singletrack is wide and non-technical for this part.

After the first junction (continue straight to stay on the South Cottonwood Creek Trail), the next 3.5 miles has rocky sections, especially around the 4-4.5-mile mark, but then opens up again to smooth singletrack in and out through the woods and fields of flowers.

After 6 miles of riding, there will be another junction with the History Rock Trail. From here, if you take a left on the Fox Creek Ranger Station Connector, following the signs for the cabin, in about 0.5 mile you can come across a forest service cabin and have lunch and relax for awhile, before turning around and coming back the way you came.