Spring can be a beautiful time in the Wasatch Mountains. The creeks are flowing with fresh snowmelt, the days are getting longer, and everyone is itching to be outside, enjoying the warm welcome of the season’s change.
Some early-season laps backdropped by a snow-covered Murdock Peak
Although Park City’s ridgeline is still white with snow, many places at lower elevations are revealing our beloved bike trails—finally free from their winter hibernation, mountain bike season is here! Or is it? While the paved trails around town are bustling with cyclists and e-bikers, the hillside single tracks are quiet, and the trailhead parking lots are vacant. So, how do you know when mountain bike trails are ready to ride?
Well, the easy answer is “it depends,” and more specifically, it depends on the mud.
Mud Season
Here in Park City, we refer to spring as “mud season.” Mud season typically begins in April, following the closure of the ski resorts, and lasts until around Memorial Day, when the alpine trails are dry. This allows the environment to transition out of winter, and it is an important time for plants to bloom and for wildlife to nest. During mud season, the snow at higher elevations melts into water and begins to flow downstream by any means possible. All that running water makes the ground susceptible to mud, especially in well-trafficked areas like trails and parking lots.
Muddy tire marks and boot prints leave a lasting imprint on trails
Although you may be itching to get out on the trails, treading on muddy surfaces can be damaging to the soil, leading to erosion of the natural environment. It is important to avoid biking on trails that are wet and muddy—if you notice trailheads are empty when you get to one, it’s likely because the trail is too wet, muddy, and therefore not suitable for riding.
Why Wait?
If you’re not afraid of getting dirty, you may think, “it’s just mud, what’s the big deal? I can just wash my bike off after the ride.” You may be right if you find yourself in wetter climates like the Pacific Northwest; however, the reason we don’t ride wet and muddy trails here in the Wasatch has to do with the soil type— loam soil, also known as “hero dirt.”
Getting flowy with some “hero dirt” loam during a summer ride
Loam soil is made up of sand, silt, and clay. Its loose and fluffy texture, combined with Park City’s dry, high-altitude climate, provides excellent grip and traction for tires to dig in. Hence, our Gold-Level Ride Center status from the Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). When loam soil gets wet, it is susceptible to ruts and divots from both bike tires and hiking shoes. When it rains, these trail ruts collect and hold water, creating large puddles that cannot drain properly. People who come upon these big puddles ride around them, widening the trail and damaging the surrounding vegetation. Even after the trail has dried, ruts and divots remain, which can catch your wheel while riding and throw you off balance. Overall, riding on muddy and wet trails can be a messy experience that leaves lasting damage to the trails. Stick to the motto: “If there is wet ground, turn around.”
Mud season reminder at the start of the stealth trail at Spring Creek Trailhead
Tips for Mud Season Riding
Thankfully, change is the only constant in nature, and the muddy, unrideable conditions are temporary. With proper planning, it is possible to go for a ride without disrupting the big thaw. Here are some tips to successfully navigate your early-season mountain bike rides without getting stuck in the mud:
Be Informed
Before heading out on a ride, do your research and plan ahead. Each year, mud season presents a unique appearance, depending on the winter’s snowpack and spring weather conditions. A trail that is the first to dry out one year might not be the first to dry out another year. For the most up-to-date information on trail conditions, read daily trail reports from local managing entities like the Mountain Trails Foundation and Basin Recreation. These organizations have dedicated staff who are on the ground every day, assessing trail conditions, making trail repairs, and ensuring that we all continue to have access to awesome riding.
Go Sunny
Once you’ve checked the forecast and trail reports, it is time to be strategic in choosing your trail. With extensive sun exposure throughout the day, trails on south- or west-facing slopes tend to dry out first each season. Just outside of town, Glenwild’s Stealth and Blackhawk trails get a lot of afternoon sun and are easily accessible from the Spring Creek Trailhead. Round Valley’s trails are also sun-facing. PorqUclimb and Downward Dog are my go-to trails. You can ride these trails in a loop from either Quinn’s or the Sunny Slopes Trailhead.
Cruising up to PorcUclimb in Spring
Go Low
If you have time to explore, there are several trail options within a 30-minute drive from Park City. Head south to Heber Valley, and you’ll encounter the Riverview Trail System, located just off Highway 40. Riverview’s trails are at a lower elevation, where trail conditions are more favorable. Riding out from the trailhead, you have a variety of single-track trails ranging from beginner to advanced, with some downhill-only options featuring bridges and drops.
On the other side of the Wasatch Mountains, the Salt Lake Valley offers a warmer and drier environment, along with excellent riding options. Ride the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and I-Street Bike Park, offering trails for all abilities. Go early in the day, as the bike park is very popular and parking fills up quickly on weekends.
Hot laps at I-Street Bike Park
Go South
If you have more time to spare and want to try something new, head over to the Eagle Mountain area, just west of Provo. Offering views of Utah Lake, the Mountain Ranch Bike Park is a great introduction to the area, featuring a skills park, a pump track, and access to several miles of trails that range from beginner to advanced. Check out Eagle Mountain Trailforks for up-to-date trail conditions.
Looking for a complete change of scenery? Mud season is the perfect time to explore the statewide options for mountain biking. Get more details on some of our favorite areas in our Utah One-day Desert Trips post.
Be Patient
The waiting game is not fun, especially when you have to wait on all-star mountain biking. Remaining patient and respecting trail closures is something each of us can do to be good stewards of our public lands and trails. Mud season is a time to appreciate the warmer temperatures, ensure your biking gear is ready for summer, and explore new trails in drier areas. Do your part to stay out of the mud, and in just a few weeks, we will all be riding our favorite Park City trails.
By Cassandra Ali, Content Writer, jans.com
