Riding Desolation Lake and Bobsled

Despite a busy week I managed to get out for a few mountain bike trail rides with David, who was in SLC, down from Jackson Hole for a few days. We rode the Wasatch Crest Trail to Desolation Lake, and followed that up with a jaunt up, around, and then down the Bobsled Trail. As David had never been to Sale Lake City during summer before this trip, those were two perfect introductory rides to demonstrate the sights and trail selection available in this mountain biking state of Utah.

David in the flowers on Wasatch Crest singletrack.

With its panoramic views as one crosses ridge after ridge, the Crest is a truly scenic ride. Combined with easy access, a high alpine environment which keeps the temperatures pleasant even during the dog days of Utah’s blazing summer heat, and relatively smooth trail surface, the Wasatch Crest Trail is the very definition of a classic mountain bike trail ride. Maybe these are some of the reasons I enjoy it so much. It doesn’t hurt that I rarely find the trail really busy, either.

Me pausing below the Spine to hydrate from my Hydro Flask. Of course my bevvie was still cold!

David Yogg cruises above Desolation Lake. It's a view worth drinking in...

An aspen grove with sweet singletrack makes for a pleasant ride!

David riding the rut into the trail split. Recent rains had added a decent sized rut to sections that are usually smoother..

We took the trail to Desolation Lake by heading left at the clearly marked signage marking the split in the trail. This was necessary as it was an odd-numbered day, due to an every-other day rotation between dogs and bikers for trail usage on the Millcreek side of the ridge. I wanted to show David the Big Water trail as well as the Pipeline, a linkage which provides for 30+ miles of riding on singletrack and doubletrack with a bit of pavement mixed in, but it was an ‘odd day.’ The good news is that it had rained in some days prior and we were out early, so traffic was light and the usually dusty trail was smooth as could be. We rode down to the car and headed for the Bobsled Trail to make up for lost mileage.

It looked as it David was having fun on Bobsled's banked turns.

David rides into another banked turn. So fun!

The Bobsled run is a well known, popular, and much loved trail near the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. It can be a little tricky to find the entrance as it breaks off of another trail, but it’s worth the searching! Following a tricky, somewhat rutted and loose rock entrance, the banked turns and multitude of optional built obstacles and jump features are enough to keep riders of virtually any skill level entertained. As so often, the Bobsled didn’t disappoint.

David leaves a trail of smog of his own as we head out of the final stretch of trail.