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Rock Canyon
15 reviews
4.27 of 5
In just minutes you can be a thousand miles from civilization up this canyon. On warm summer days the temp will drop several degrees as you go up. There is a small stream that follows the trail for the first part. The trail is gated so only hikers and bikers can use it. Even though the trailhead is only about 3 minutes from Brigham Young University there are very few people past the initial tourist zone. Right at the gate there are usually numerous rock climbers roped to the cliffs.It seems every year a BYU student falls off these cliffs and dies.
The trail starts out wide and smooth with loose gravel and becomes more technical the farther you go.The incline is steady and relentless. There are very few rest spots. After about 20 minutes of steady riding you will get to the 2nd drinking fountain. The path is loose rock with a couple tricky areas, one with a rock slide that has come down over the trail. To this point the riding is only fairly technical with about 4 stream crossings. About 150 yards past the 2nd fountain the trail turns left. At this point the riding becomes much more technical. Bromka's trail guide describes the effort to make it as super human. The rocks are now computer monitors. The incline is hell. It continues up to a campground serviced by a dirt road from Provo canyon which turns into pavement and leads back to Orem and then Provo.
I would be interested to know how many have made it to the campground without touching or stopping. My Bro has done it once. I have done it without stopping(only 1 dab). It's probably the hardest physical exertion I have ever put out.
Summary: After riding it about once a year for the past three years, this past fall I was able to get up into the canyon 4 or 5 times in October and November. What a great ride, and very easy and fast to get to. But, the trail itself is anything but easy, and going up is NOT fast. Back down, on the otherhand, is again not super easy, but it is VERY fast! What a blast! If you can endure the long climb through the gravel section, it turns into fairly technical singletrack winding through trees and brush. Try and go during the week, as the weekends can have a lot of traffic (especially on the lower section). Can stay very cold going up the canyon in the mornings during the fall
Recommended Route: Start at the parking lot, and just head up the canyon!
Other recommended trails in the same area: Big Spring Hollow... AWESOME singletrack!
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Summary: This is a great downhill. Its one of the few trails in Utah County thats still as good as it was 5 years ago. And just like 5 years ago, people still get pissed if you go too fast, but thats just how it goes. The up hill is a killer; forget trying to do it on a FR/DH rig. I typically bus up squaw peak, and then take the fire roads to the trail head.
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Review Date June 3, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: Danny Alts
, from Orem, UT
Summary: Very nice ride, not for beginners, but everyone else can enjoy it. No serious steeps. Nice long steady-grade downhill ride. I bomb it with my stiff tail with no worries. It gets shaky over long patches of gravel to melon-sized rocks. I sometimes break away from the trail and mob through tall grasses and meadows (watch for hidden obstacles!!). There are several bridges and shallow streams to fly through. Plenty of tall trees provide shade and mossy areas. After 4 or 5 stream crossings, look out for hikers. The path widens and is gravely.
Recommended Route: For a long mellow ride up, Provo Canyon, take the Squaw Peak turn off up to were the paved road splits (2-3 miles up)and take the left fork. After a couple miles of mostly uphill dirt road, there's a scenic lookout pinnacle. Continue downhill now for a couple of miles, pass some gates to your right, then about a half mile later, you'll see the singletrack trail that crosses the dirt road. Bomb down! IF you want to add technical challenge to your work out, start from the mouth of Rock Canyon, and will yourself up the route. It's tough, but many people have done it without stopping.
Other recommended trails in the same area: There are countless singletracks all over the benches and above. Check 'em all out.
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Review Date January 31, 2003
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Please Select
Visitors rate this review 1.00 of 5,
1 votes
Reviewed by: Steve Hoge
, from Chapel Hill, NC
Summary: A good trail for running. Nice steady incline. I haven't fallen over on it, yet. Reminds me of that old Scottish credo: Heed doon, arse oot.
Recommended Route: Hey, I've never biked this thing, but I've run it, and plan to again during a visit to Provo in a couple of weeks. Is it blocked by snow? Are there mt. lions up there? (I had the feeling I was being watched when I ran it a couple of years ago). Is there a cut through over to Sundance?
Other recommended trails in the same area: I like the shoreline trail there on Y mtn, but the canyon's special. It's incredible to have access to such wonders when visiting Provo.
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Review Date September 27, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Stevea
, from Orem
Summary: I reviewed this trail ayear or two ago. I have ridden it numerous times since then but I had to review again. The last two weeks (end of sept) have been beautiful up there. Go ride it while you can. get out of the valley away from the people.Pedal till your lungs want to pop. It is tough riding but see what you can do.
Recommended Route: start at parking lot behind LDS temple and go east young man
Other recommended trails in the same area: Had a really good time last week up at Deer Valley with my 13 year old son riding the lifts up then rolling down.
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