Reviewed by: April , from Redwood City,ca

Summary:
Scenary, scenary, more scenary!!! The view in both canyons are just out of this world! And even more rare are great scenary combined with fun single track riding! We rode Casto Canyon in, the riding is easy for the most part. Finding the connection to Cassiddy trail takes some doing. But once found, it's great fun of small ups-and-downs. Don't miss the side trip to the Casto Canyon overlook about a mile into Cassidy trail. It makes for a perfect lunch spot also, complete with an outhouse. Cassidy trail is reasonably challenging. It was windy and snowy when we rode in in MAY! So be prepared. The cruise down Losee Canyon brings ear-to-ear smile to our tired face...

Recommended Route:
Casto Canyon in, connect to Cassidy Trail to Losee Canyon out.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Thunder Mountain

Reviewed by: Jon , from Draper

Summary:
See the above.

Recommended Route:
Don't do both these rides as one ride, break them up into two rides and avoid all the road riding.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cassidy Trail

Reviewed by: Mike and Brandon , from Sandy, UT

Summary:
We rode only the bottom part of Casto Canyon. That far it is a great introduction to single track for the kids. The scenery is fantastic. We can't wait to go back and ride more. Every year the kids get bigger and can ride harder and harder trails, if Dad can keep up. Our 11 year old daughter/sister loved it.
We rode Thunder Mountain 1 way, downhill. The altitude and climbs still provided a good workout. It is one of our favorite trails. The challenge, scenery, and singletrack are fabulous! We rode it on Labor Day, 2001 and only saw 3 other people (3 ladies hiking)! There are some loose areas next to steep drops that make this trail better suited to intermediate riders who have good balance. We think most 13 year olds with some trail experience could ride it. The climbs will burn your legs, the altitude will test your lungs, and the views are just what you need to revive your soul and remind you of why we do this. Ride it! You won't be disappointed! Slickrock is still our favorite, but this is a very close second and it's cool in the summer! The Panguitch/Bryce Canyon/Cedar Breaks area makes a great biking destination. Have Fun!

Recommended Route:
We rode Casto from the bottom (west end). We rode Thunder Mountain from the Coyote Trailhead down to Red Canyon Trailhead.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Powell Point, Virgin Rim

Reviewed by: John, Rita and Bob , from Logan and Park City, Utah

Summary:
We had planned to spend the July 4th holiday weekend over on Gooseberry Mesa, but the 100+ degree predictions encouraged us to seek a cooler, higher place. We've seen a bit written about Red Canyon and it's off-road bicycling lately, and that seemed to fit the bill. We've often driven through, but never stopped. This time we made it our destination. We arrived Wednesday, July 4th, in the early afternoon, and set up our "car-camp" in the Red Canyon campground, All of our rides began and ended there. The site is very pleasant and provides beautiful ambience, ... and three "friends" can easily refresh within the eight-minutes-for-eight-quarters shower facility! We "warmed up" the bikes and body on the Cassidy/Rich trail complex that late afternoon: Moderately challenging, but, as mid-50s riders, our testosterone levels (especially Rita's) were not so high as to prevent an occasional off bike stroll. Thursday we accessed the Thunder Mountain route, and thoroughly enjoyed the rolling single track, fabulous scenery, and (what else?) thunder on the mountain. On the descent, some of us were insecure on a few of the loose, rocky, steep, exposed switchbacks, knife edges, and exposed side hills, but walking was always an option. We cannot imagine more satisfying ride! Unless it would be the Casto to Losee loop we rode Friday. The trails in both canyons follow the creek beds, and there are numerous crossings, all very rideable at this time of the year. We rode Casto in, Losee out, and recommend that route. Bryce-like scenery is all around in both canyons. The canyons can be enjoyed by any moderately competent off roader. The connector between Casto and Losee, by way of the Cassidy Trail, provided much more challenge, but lots of fun and varied terrain. (The turnoff is well disguised, however .. a nondescript scarf on the West side of the creek coming out of Casto Spring.) And, while the Casto route is shared with ATVs, and the Losee trail accommodates horses, and both welcome hikers and bikers, we encountered no one else, on any of the trails! That won't last! We've ridden all over the West .. Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, and Northern and Southern Utah. Red Canyon is the best so far! We'll go down again! Maybe we'll see you there. (But, hopefully, not TOO many of you!)

Recommended Route:
Well, you know: From Panguitch south on US 89 to the turnoff to Bryce Canyon National Park. About 5 miles East into Red Canyon. Look out your windows. You can't miss it!!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
There is a very nice, new Mountain bike only trail along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, called the Rainbow Trail, which we rode last fall, and recommend highly.