The Valhalla trail connects the Thunderbird Gardens trailhead to the
middle of the 13th
Hole loop. It lies in a beautiful red-rock area east of Cedar City.
The ride would rank upper-intermediate in tech
requirement. There are a lot of twists and turns and a few rock challenges
to navigate.
Lots of up-and-down. Photos and review by Bruce
on July 11, 2021. Update August 17, 2022.
At only 1.2 miles in length, Valhalla is a quick ride as an
out-and-back. While it has an absolute elevation
change of only 100 vertical feet, up-and-down riding adds up to around 300 feet
of sometimes-tough climbing. Most riders add the 13th Hole loop to this
trail.
Bruce rides past red rock outcrops in this drone
shot.
Getting to the trail
Thunderbird Gardens trailhead
The Thunderbird Gardens trailhead is at the end of a gravel road that's
the continuation of 900 North Street in Cedar City. To find the trail, go past the kiosk for Thor's
Hideout at the eastern side of parking (opposite the toilet). Just
outside the fence, veer 120 degrees left from Thor's to head north. Keep straight as you cross Lil
Ratlr, and you're on your way.
Entering the Thunderbird Gardens trailhead. Bathroom
to your left, trail entry to your right.
13th Hole trailhead
The 13th Hole trailhead on Knoll Street
has a bathroom and running water. You'll need to pedal a bit of sidewalk
to reach the trail. Climb up the 13th Hole loop in either direction. The Valhalla trail
forks away from 13th Hole at a hairpin turn on the southern side of the loop, just before
the highest elevation on the loop.
Starting out from the paved 13th Hole trailhead.
The Valhalla trail
The southern end of the trail is lower in elevation at 6000
feet, starting at the Thunderbird
Gardens trailhead. The trail surface is a broad bench-cut that follows the wiggles in
the terrain.
Bruce rides south past sandstone outcrops as he heads
from 13th Hole to Thunderbird Gardens.
Overall the trail surface has
firmed up nicely since its original construction. Some sections of trail
can become a little loose where bike tires dig into hard turns. But
there's no deep sand or bog-downs.
Starting uphill, just past the Lil Ratlr crossing.
The disk golf course is ahead and to the left in this photo.
The trail has a lot of twists and turns and ups and downs.
You may feel like it's "uphill both ways." From Thunderbird Gardens, after the initial elevation gain it will cross
three ridgelines, with a bit of descending and climbing each time.
Looking down to a rough switchback.
The area is dry and gets hot on summer afternoons. Cedar, juniper, pinion pine, and
bitterbrush sprout from salmon-colored dirt. There are some scenic rock
outcrops.
Climbing west.
Several times, you'll think you're there. But there's more
fun yet to go. The trail reaches 13th Hole at a hairpin turn. If you plan
to use 13th Hole for a loop ride, pick a direction.
Made the first ridge. And in a minute, we'll cross
the smooth part of the next ridge.
Now let's talk about riding the other direction. If you
started at the 13th Hole trailhead and are riding the loop
counter-clockwise, at mile 1.4 you'll come to a hairpin turn. If you keep
straight, you'll be on the way to Thunderbird Gardens. (180 degrees left
keeps you on 13th Hole.)
View from the trail just south of the junction with
13th Hole, looking west at Three Peaks and northern Cedar City.
When riding clockwise, the hairpin turn on 13th Hole comes at mile 2.0
from the trailhead, just 0.2 miles after the trail has turned west and
started to descend.
Rolling through juniper forest.
The descent from 13th Hole to Thunderbird is a really fun ride. But it's
not blazing fast. There are constant wiggles and short climbs that check
your speed. There are a couple of rock outcrops that are tough to clean in
this direction.
Heading south downhill after leaving 13th Hole.
Video of the Valhalla Trail downhill
from the 13th Hole Loop...
If the above video does not appear on your
browser/device, you can watch it on YouTube by clicking
here.
Bottom Line!
Very fun trail for experts and upper-intermediates. Can be managed by
early-intermediates with a few walk-overs. Beautiful scenery. It's a short
ride, best as an add-on ride to Thor's
Hideout and Lightning Switch/Ghost
Flats, or as an early-morning or late-afternoon quickie.
Coasting into the Thunderbird trailhead. The trail
above me on the hillside is the Lil
Ratlr loop trail.
Getting there: Thunderbird TH: When southbound on I-15, take the first Cedar
City exit (the same one you'd use to head for Three Peaks) and turn left
towards the mountains. The road will make a broad turn to the south to
become Main Street in Cedar City. Turn left at 900 North (it will be just
as you reach the cemetery on the right-hand side). When you reach the golf
course buildings, the pavement ends. Keep straight ahead onto gravel road.
Pass a couple of flood-control basins, driving 1.2 miles from Main Street.
Park in the fenced white-gravel trailhead area and start your ride
eastbound by the trail kiosk. After 150 feet, turn 150 degrees left uphill
on singletrack. Keep straight as you cross Lil Ratlr. 13th Hole: Head south from I-15 on Main Street in Cedar City. After
you drive past a knoll to your left, turn left at the light at 1045 North,
which will become Knoll Street. (This is one street north of the
Thunderbird Gardens trailhead road.) Follow the street uphill through the
golf course to a roundabout. Exit the roundabout on Knoll Street, then
immediately turn right into a trailhead parking area. The small sidewalk
heading east toward the mountains -- and the broad sidewalk that follows
-- is the trail. Follow the signs on the sidewalk until you reach the dirt
trail.
