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Wasatch Crest

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.8 (137)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Salt Lake City and Wasatch Front
  4. Big Cottonwood Canyon
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“Classic high altitude singletrack - up there and out there. ”

Leslie Kehmeier
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Map Key

12.5

Miles

20.1

KM

90%

Singletrack

9,882' 3,012 m

High

7,616' 2,321 m

Low

1,084' 330 m

Up

2,656' 810 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

26%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Bikes allowed on EVEN days on the Upper Millcreek Canyon trails. Odd days recommended to head east to Canyons from base of Murdock Peak or west onto Mill D to Desolation Lake, just north of Desolation Peak.

Overview

Wasatch Crest is one of those routes that satisfies the soul of anyone who likes to pedal a bike. It's high alpine with 360-degree views just about the entire time - you're definitely up there and out there.

Description

The Crest has multiple access points (Big Cottonwood Canyon, Millcreek Canyon and Park City) - choose your own adventure and level of challenge. Starting from Park City will provide a good dose of moderate climbing and multiple loop options. This makes a good shuttle ride if you start from the top of Guardsman Pass.

Between the Pinecone and the Crest Connector, the trail is not overly technical but still provides a handful of challenges. Be prepared for the Fakies, a series of short climbs that punctuate a fun descent.

Contacts

Local Club: Mountain Trails Foundation

Feb 2, 2024: Winter Trail Etiquette

Jan 16, 2024: Making Lemonade- January Trail Report

Jan 16, 2024: January Dirt

Land Manager: USFS - Uinta, Wasatch & Cache National Forests Office

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier with improvements by Linda George
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 137 votes

#1

in Big Cottonwood Canyon

#24

Overall
  4.8 from 137 votes
5 Star
85%
4 Star
12%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Big Cottonwood Canyon

#9

in Utah

#24

Overall
79 Views Last Month
75,976 Since Jul 29, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
21%
25%
54%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Great tour of the Crest!
Nov 18, 2013 near Snyderv…, UT
Near the top of the Wasatch Crest Trail, looking down into Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Sep 4, 2016 near Park City, UT
Beginning one of the many descents on the Wasatch Crest Trail with Solitude Ski Area in the background.
Sep 4, 2016 near Park City, UT
Flowy singletrack, what is not to like?
Oct 12, 2016 near Snyderv…, UT
Just before Big Water Forks with Dog Lake.
Oct 7, 2015 near Snyderv…, UT
The balancing act on top of the spine section of the Wasatch Crest Trail. Photo by Mike Swim // mikezswim.com
Jun 13, 2018 near Snyderv…, UT

18 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 31 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 8, 2024
Brendan Dwyer
Kicked my ass
Aug 2, 2024
Emily Macias
Jul 28, 2024
Private User
Jun 28, 2024
Casey M
Oct 22, 2023
Vertigo
Oct 1, 2023
Luke Champion
Sep 8, 2023
Christian Elliott
Brooke and Mark! Fun ride! Went to dog lake and lollipoped back around. Fun ride, nice trail, good amount of climbing! 20mi
Aug 27, 2023
Reed Williams

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