Second Left Hand Road

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

This is the forest road through Second Left Hand Canyon, leading from Highway 143 through a narrow valley of red hoodoos and spruce forest. This road is part of the popular Dark Hollow Shuttle and some other downhill rides from Brian Head.

It's also a remarkably steady climb in the uphill direction, making a reasonable route for pedaling your own loop, or a worthy idea for a gravel ride or e-bike climb all on its own. The scenery is incredible and varied throughout the ride--from lush forest among redrock cliffs in the canyon, to vast views among burn scars higher on the mountain. There are plentiful dispersed camping spots along the creek in the lower half, in case you want to make an overnight trip.

The lower 6 miles of this ride is on Second Left Hand Road in the canyon, but eventually it T's into what most maps call Sidney Valley Road and takes a right. This road continues on a determined climb to the top of the mountain, through several switchbacks with expanding views over another 4 miles.

Upon finally reaching the crest of the plateau, you'll enter a broad clearing get the reward of a huge vista over the Parowan Valley. Expect breezy and cold weather up here, at an elevation of about 10,500 feet.

A few trails depart from this clearing, including the Sidney Peak Trail #10 that links with Brian Head Ski Area, and Bunker Creek that takes an excellent downhill romp toward Panguitch Lake. Sidney Valley Rd also continues down the other side of the mountain, eventually linking with Highway 143 to the east of Brian Head.