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Tour Details
- 4 Self-Guided Riding Days, 3 Nights Camping
- High desert singletrack and slickrock in Southwest Utah
- This tour is for intermediate to advanced riders with good fitness and polished technical riding skills
- Base Camp: Gooseberry Mesa
- Cost: $385
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2022 Dates
TOUR DESCRIPTION (Passage Map)
The seemingly endless stretches of mesas and sandstone rock formations in the Zion National Park area are like nowhere else on earth. The rides we’ve chosen for you to explore this gorgeous region range from a twisting maze over the slickrock of Gooseberry Mesa to the fast flowy desert singletrack of the JEM Trail. The weather during spring and fall is ideal – plenty warm, but we’ll avoid the scorching temps of the summer season.
This self-guided mountain bike tour is a great mix of classic Gooseberry mountain biking. The riding here is unique and it demands you find your rhythm to glide across the sandstone. By the end of the 4 days you’ll be nearly an expert at step-ups and sandstone traction!
We created this Gooseberry mountain bike tour for those who don’t want a guide, don’t want to be supported during the week and generally just want their own self-serve, Gooseberry mountain biking adventure with a bit of logistical assistance. Each day we relocate a very deluxe camp setup (provided by Ready Camp) of (2) 10×10 canopies, full kitchen, dry firewood, camp chairs, fresh water, coolers of food and beverages (you purchase prior to trip) and all your personal gear like tents, bags and clothing. You can go as cheap or deluxe as you want on food, beverages and amenities!!
Receive Full Itinerary
Day 1:
Today we’ll start at the Santa Clara trail system near St George. The Santa Cllara system features some classic desert riding with fun classic like Barrel Roll, Sidewinder and the ‘Rim’ Trails.
Day 2:
Gooseberry Mesa. Just the mention of this world-class trail is mountain biker catnip. Gooseberry is the best of technical slickrock and great singletrack. While the riding is incredible, be sure to keep your wits about you – the cliff edge views are unbelievable and vying for your attention.
Day 3:
Our route today is yet another classic: the Gould’s Rim, Hurricane Rim and JEM Trail loop. The Gould’s Rim section is a combination doubletrack and singletrack that snakes through sagebrush….
Day 4:
We’ll go exploring the desert mesa country yet again on Gooseberry’s sister mesa – Little Creek Mesa. When this singletrack route isn’t winding through juniper, pinyon and Manzanita….
What’s Included in My Trip?
- Shuttle Van and driver
- Trail maps and directions
- Luggage, gear and cooler/food transfer
- Ready Camp kitchen and general gear
Not Included
- Alcoholic Beverages – we can haul and keep them cold though!
- Lodging
- Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
- Weather Control – Mother Nature has a mind of her own
- Bikes
Q – Where do we get coolers from you guys to pack our food in?
A – The day before your trip starts you can call your driver/guide and set up a meeting time. We meet at RED ROCK CYCLES in St George.
Q – How much gear can I pack?
A – Space is not infinite in our trailer. We ask that you pack smartly in one duffel, plus your tents and sleeping bag. Leave your bike stands, hibachi’s and bath tubs at home.
Q – What happens if I have a mechanical or injury and get stranded out there?
A – Our trips are truly self-guided and there is no Hermosa Tours extraction team! We suggest bringing a SPOT Messenger or satellite phone and know how to repair your own bike.
Q – What’s a good tire choice for this trip?
A – The Continental Mountain King II is a great choice for the Gooseberry area terrain. You might even consider the UST version for extra protection.
Q – What do I bring?
A – We supply a full kitchen, water, firewood, chairs, tables, etc. You’ll need your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping gear, bike, clothing and personal items.
Q – What’s the shower situation?
A – Beginning in 2014 we will have a gravity/solar shower on the trip. This works great for a quick rinse off and refresh.
Q – Where do I shop for food for this trip?
A – There are quite a few grocery stores in St George, UT. We usually go to Albertsons, but feel free to choose your own.
Q – Can I rent a bike for this trip?
A – Yes you can. Red Rock Cycles can take care of you.
Q – How do I navigate the route?
A – You’ll need to pick up the St. George/Hurricane, UT Adventure map. It is on sale at Red Rock Cycles
The meeting location for this trip is St. George, UT. St. George is in the extreme SW corner of the state and is about a 2-hour shuttle from Las Vegas, NV. For those needing a shuttle we suggest calling: http://www.stgshuttle.com.