Looking down to a turn in the Hickman Hill beginner
loops. Eagle Mountain trails were first photographed and described by Bruce
in 2009, with the latest update September 22, 2022.
In September 2022, I must caution you that these northern trails
continue to be affected by expanding subdivision construction. The paved
Hidden Hollow trailhead is open for parking, but development of the
surroundings -- including the routes from parking to trails -- is ongoing
at this time. While every effort is being made to keep an open route
through to the trails, there will be occasional closures.
Looking down Rock-a-Billy, one of the trails that
connects the Pony Express Parkway area to the trails further south.
Trailheads
Hidden Hollow
The Hidden Hollow trailhead is open, with room for over 40 vehicles.
But work on the amenities and the surrounding hillside is ongoing in fall
2022. You'll need to find your way to the trails through a construction
zone. When complete, this trailhead will have all services, which may change your
parking, trail access, and riding plans.
The connector to Rock-a-Billy can be found on the southern end of the
parking strip. A doubletrack across the road to the west will take you to
the Hickman Hill loops and to Supersonic, Cracker Jack, and Given-to-Fly
southbound, plus Creed and Brass Monkey northbound.
Parking lot, looking southwest.
Rockpile race staging area
On Pony Express Parkway heading west, turn left to the Hidden Canyon
road at 1.1 miles from Ranches Parkway. Continue up the paved road until
it turns into dirt. Keep generally left and heading southeast at any road
forks, staying just below the slope of the hill on your left. When you
reach a rockpile followed by a broad open area with several dirt roads
forking away at mile 1.3
from Pony Express Parkway, you're
there. The northern trails are most easily reached by taking Deer Tracks
to Cracker Jack,
just up the hill west of the staging area.
Looking down on the race staging area from Treadstone.
Brass Monkey
The Brass Monkey trail runs around Hickman Hill on the western side. It
begins by forking away from the southern end of Creed. After riding around
and over the flank of the hill, it connects to the bottom of Nirvana at
the Pony Express Parkway.
Brass Monkey is 0.9 miles long and has around 100 feet of climbing when done in either
direction. It requires intermediate riding skill and aerobics.
At the trail fork heading north. Take a left turn for
Brass Monkey. (The handlebar is sticking up from a bike lying on the side
of the Hickman Hill loops connector.)
From the south, as the Given to Fly connector crosses the
ATV track and becomes Creed, the connector to the Hickman Hill beginner
loops forks 90 degrees right. Then the trail splits. The left fork is
Brass Monkey; the right fork is Creed.
Creed has a short connector to the climbing trail (Radio Free Europe)
of the beginner loops. Creed can be an alternate quicker climbing route
for any of the three DH trails of the Hickman Hill loops. It's 0.3 miles
from the intersection of I-15 and Creed to the connector.
Climbing through the junipers on Brass Monkey.
After the trail descends down to the farmland along the Pony Express
Parkway, the trail will veer to parallel the road westbound. After crossing
the open field, it will hit the bottom of Nirvana at the sage brush.
Decending Brass Monkey northbound towards the Pony
Express Parkway..
Creed Trail
Creed is 1.4
miles in length, spanning between the Given to Fly trail (after it descends
off the hill northbound) and the Pony Express Parkway. The trail climbs up
and over a hill -- whichever direction you ride it. The climbing is around
250 vertical feet.
Heading away from the Pony Express Parkway on a
north-to-south ride on Creed in late December 2017.
The trail can be done either direction, but it rides much
better from south to north. However most riders do it north to south to
take advantage of the stunts built into the southern end. The
southern end is about 50 vertical feet higher than the northern end, so
there's a bit less climbing to get to the top of the hill. Also, there are
turns and drops on the north face of the hill that are easy to descend but
difficult to climb.
Jumps and drops are of modest size, and all have easy
ride-arounds.
On the southern end, Creed starts by forking away from Given
to Fly just before it reaches a doubletrack at a field of winter wheat
in the valley. If you're riding west from the trailhead area, turn left at this unmarked
trail fork. After about 100 yards westbound, the trail will turn north,
cross the valley, then begin climbing the small hill.
There are open views of the mountains as the trail
twists back and forth. That's Timpanogos straight ahead of my bike.
To start from the northern end, park east of Hidden Valley Elementary School. Take the sidewalk, then
paved path, west along the Pony Express Parkway until you spot the trail
on the hill to your left. In 2017, you'll need to rattle through some
cobble decoration to reach the trail above it, because there's no formal
trail connection here. Your second chance is a direct uphill connector at
the (temporary) end of the paved path.
A bermed turn hugs the slope above the subdivision
and elementary school to the northeast.
Turns are bermed for speed, and there are plenty of spots to
launch. But the trail is OK for an early intermediate rider.
The south end of Creed connects to Brass Monkey and I-15 (to the
Hickman Hill flow loops). From this intersection the trail continues
southbound across the shallow valley to Given to Fly with connections to
Supersonic and Cracker Jack.
Cresting the top of the hill, with the Oquirrh
Mountains to the west behind me.
Creed Trail and the northern
end of Treadstone...
If the above video does not appear on your
browser/device, you can watch it on YouTube by clicking
here.
Hickman Hill beginner loops
The Hickman Hill trails lie east of the southern side of Creed,
just uphill from the subdivision in Hidden Canyon. At this time (September
2022) there's a short two-way trail called I-15 that extends 0.2 miles
from the southern end of Creed to the bottom of the first DH, a 0.6-mile climbing-only trail, and three
downhill-only flow trails 0.4, 0.3, and 0.2 miles in length.
The two-way I-15 trail begins on fairly flat terrain
about 1/10th mile west of the main parking lot. Once it begins climbing to
the north, it will become Radio Free Europe and is one-way.
At this time access is a bit tricky. Directly below the loops
is active road and home construction for the subdivision. For now, park in the large paved Hidden
Hollow parking lot, then cross the construction area west of the middle of
that trailhead to an ATV road going west. Find a connector
uphill to I-15 on your right. Now turn right again to go north. I-15 will
turn into Radio Free Europe after you pass two DH trails that join I-15 on your
left from uphill.
You can also climb Creed to the beginner loops. At mile 0.3 miles from
I-15, Creed has a 100-yard connector to the top of Radio Free Europe,
allowing you to quickly get onto any of the three DH flow trails.
On the upper hillside, the trail begins to run back
and forth, so there's always a recovery between each turn.
Radio Free Europe - one-way climb for the flow trails
The counterclockwise loops begin with a climb up an easy trail, Radio Free
Europe. The riding is suitable for experienced beginners. Younger children
may find the amount of climbing beyond their physical ability, but older
experienced kids should do fine.
Each lap will be between 0.8 and 1.0 miles with approximately 120 vertical
feet of climbing per lap.
On the upper hillside, the trail runs back
and forth. There's always a recovery between each turn.
Radio Free Europe itself is 0.6 miles long, with 100 feet of
elevation change. There's some occasional brief downhill coasting, which
brings total climbing to around 120 feet per lap. At the top, you'll be
joined on the left by a connector trail from Creed. Keep straight.
Now you'll reach a three-way trail split. To the right is the
easiest and longest DH flow route, Huey & Louie. Straight ahead is
Rick Roll, which is steeper and has a short bit of bumpy rock. To the
right is the most difficult DH route (not yet named as of September 2022).
Climbing around a broad turn, looking south.
Huey & Louie - easiest DH flow trail
As you head southbound on the top traverse of Radio Free Europe, you'll
come to a three-way trail split. The option to the left is Huey &
Louie, the easiest of the downhill flow options. This trail is 0.4 miles
long and will descend just under 90 vertical feet.
Huey & Louie has flatter traverses between banked
turns.
Huey & Louie becomes almost flat between the turns so it's
done at lower speed. When you get to the bottom, you can veer right to
return on the I-15 access trail, or keep straight and left to begin another
climb on Radio Free Europe.
Looking down from the climbing trail at the second
turn in the DH flow trail.
Rick Roll - faster DH flow trail
The second downhill option is straight ahead at the
three-way trail split. This is Rick Roll. It's a bit steeper than Huey
& Louie, but is also quite easy to ride. Rick Roll is 0.3 miles long and
will descend 100 vertical feet. It ends on I-15 about 150 feet downhill
from the bottom of Huey & Louie and Radio Free Europe
This is a rough as the riding gets. On the second
flow trail, there's this bit of exposed rock.
Rick Roll maintains more slope between the
turns, so
it's done at higher speed. There's also a short stretch of bumpy rock to ride over.
Nothing tricky but it may spook kids -- especially if they haven't learned
to stand on the pedals yet.
Looking down toward the homes under construction in
Hidden Valley.
DH Flow Trail #3
At the three-way trail split at the top of Radio Free
Europe, fork to the right (slightly uphill) for the most advanced DH flow
option. This route is 0.2 miles long. It's within the abilities of
intermediate riders, although there's a spooky rock section that some will
choose to walk.
This trail is steeper and straighter than the other
two DH flow options.
This route ends on I-15 right at its origin on Creed. On
your left is the skills area, still under construction in September 2022.
For another trip to the top, turn left on I-15.
Rolling into a set of rock ledges. No problem.
Hitting all three of the
Eagle Mountain DH flow routes in one video...
If the above video does not appear on your
browser/device, you can watch it on YouTube by clicking
here.
Hickman Hill Skills Area
The skills area lies just uphill from the western side of
I-15. It is still under construction at this time and is not open for
riding.
Stay tuned!
Rock-a-Billy
Rock-a-Billy forks to the south from the Hidden Canyon trail 0.2
miles uphill the paved Hidden Hollow trail (which forks from the Pony Express
Parkway paved trail just east of the entry road). A bit further south,
Rock-a-Billy can also be reached via a short connector trail from the
paved Hidden Hollow trailhead.
Rock-a-Billy is 1.1 miles long, climbing 200 vertical feet from Hidden Canyon to Cow
Tracks (riding south). Surface is early-intermediate technical, effort
level is easy.
Southbound early on Rock-a-Billy. Junipers
occasionally obscure the sight lines, so be cautious about riders coming
the other way!
Rock-a-Billy rolls up and down, but generally
climbs, as it traverses the western slope of Lake Mountain. The
Rock-a-Billy trail ends
on the Cow Tracks trail just above the "Rockpile" parking area.
Looking downhill toward the parking lot from the
intersection of Rock-a-Billy Connector's south limb.
At this time, you'll find the Rock-a-Billy connector trail
just south of the paved parking area in Hidden Hollow. The hillside around
the parking lot is still being smoothed at this time, so the location of
the trail entry will likely change.
The trail splits 1/10th
mile uphill. The left fork will join Rock-a-Billy northbound and will take
you to the Hidden Canyon trail (and ultimately, the Mountain
Ranch bike park). The right fork takes you to Rock-a-Billy southbound
for a trip to the rockpile area and the central
area trails.
Climbing uphill on the northern limb
of the Rock-a-Billy Connector as we approach the trail, headed for Hidden
Canyon and the bike park.
Other Trails and Connections
Paved Access Trail
From the paved bike path along the Pony Express Parkway,
there's a new paved trail extending uphill into Hidden Canyon. At this
time (June 2022) it's only partially paved, but will provide a connection
uphill to the Hickman Hill beginner trails as well as Creed, Brass Monkey,
Supersonic, and Given to Fly.
For now, it ends on
Hidden Valley Parkway just north of the trailhead. I anticipate that a
riding path will connect to the trailhead.
Given to Fly
Given to Fly begins in a shallow valley just west of the paved Hidden
Hollow trailhead. It's
two-directional, but you'll like it more as a downhill. As a climber, it's
mellow and easy at first, then reaches a steep area with a couple of rock
drops that will probably have you pushing your bike.
Length 1.4
miles. 350 vertical feet of altitude change. The steep spots make it an upper-intermediate trail, although most of the trail is
quite easy.
The bottom half of Given to Fly is very smooth and
easy to ride, with minimal grade. If you're riding it uphill, things will
get substantially more difficult on the second half.
Nirvana Trail
Runs from Treadstone at the top of the Prayer Flags hill northbound to
end at the Pony Express Parkway. Here there's a connector to the north end
of Brass Monkey. Can be part of the northern end of a longer loop ride in
either direction. NOTE! Nirvana has been interrupted
by a fence in November 2022. The trail re-route is still pending.
Length 2.0 miles. Vertical 300 ft elevation loss when done from south
to north. Trail surface intermediate skill and aerobic requirement.
Descending Nirvana. After the initial drop, the trail
will run through sage just west of a flat valley.
Hidden Canyon Trail
The Hidden Canyon trail starts just off the paved trail at the Pony
Express Parkway north of Hidden Canyon Elementary. It climbs the hill to the area above the Mountain
Ranch bike park, connecting to Rock-a-Billy, Ridgeline/Cow Tracks, and
Golden Eagle.
Length 0.7 miles, climbing 200 vertical feet when done from Hidden
Canyon up to the bike park connector trails. Surface upper-intermediate
technical, upper-intermediate in aerobic effort.
Looking northeast on the Hidden Canyon trail.
Cow Tracks
Cow Tracks links the trails at the top of the Mountain Ranch bike park
to the "Rockpile" parking area in the middle of the Eagle
Mountain trails. It contours the hillside before making a descent to the Rockpile.
The trail has one steep pitch and there are some embedded rocks. Cow
Tracks joins Rock-a-Billy
as it descends to the east side of the Rockpile parking area.
Length 0.8 miles. Surface intermediate in technical requirement, one
steep pitch of upper-intermediate aerobic effort. Around 50 feet of
elevation change north to south.
The steepest spot is the climb just
before the Ridgeline trail fork. There's both embedded and loose rock, but
it's very do-able.
Getting there:
Take the I-15 Lehi Main Street exit and turn west. Continue west on SR-73,
crossing Redwood Road (11600 West). Continue westbound uphill. Just after
climbing the hill, turn left at the stop light onto The Ranches Parkway.
At Pony Express Parkway, turn right. The road will veer a bit south
(left), then back west (right) as you get one mile from Ranches Parkway.
After you pass a large hill on your left, just before Hidden Hollow
Elementary, take the next left. In 0.2 miles turn left into the large
parking area. The Rock-a-Billy connector is south of the trailhead. The
ATV trail across the street from parking leads to the northern trail
system.
Creed: At 0.25 miles past the elementary school, spot the trail on the hillside to your left
and cross the decorative patch of chunk rock to get there. (Note
construction has blocked this access in 2022!)
Race Loop (rockpile) Parking: Note 2022! While construction crews are trying to
preserve access, it is occasionally not possible to drive through
construction area! If so, you must ride from the Pony Express Parkway, or
take the dirt road (OHV route 1) in from the west. On
Pony Express Parkway, turn south and drive uphill past Hidden Hollow
Elementary. When the pavement ends, keep as straight as possible
southbound through the construction area. Drive a mile up the dirt road.
After you reach the top of a small rise and see another valley in front of
you, there's a big rockpile on the left. The parking is the primitive open
space south of the rockpile. Deer Tracks is west of the parking area
(across the dirt road), Cow Tracks is at the northeast corner, and dirt
roads on the east and south connect to other singletrack trails.
Bathrooms: None. Porta-Potty at the Mountain Ranch
Bike Park. A
full-service trailhead is planned for Hidden Canyon.
Camping: No developed or designated campgrounds. Flat spots can be
found in the race
staging area near the rockpile.
Bike services: UtahMountainBiking store in Lehi.
