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Boulder Dash
The Boulder Dash trail is a short double-black diamond expert trail in the
Iron Hills trail system at Cedar City. Boulder Dash is one-way downhill.
It begins near the bottom of the Green Hollow trail and
descends to the
one-way Lava Flow trail. It can be reached
from above via the Greens Lake trailhead and Green Hollow, or from the
bottom by climbing Lichen It then turning uphill on Green Hollow.
About to enter the slab rock path through huge
boulders of basault. Checkout ride (done as part of an official trail
workday) December 2nd, 2017 by Bruce.
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| In addition to technical challenges, Boulder Dash shortcuts
the downhill route from the Greens Lake trailhead. (After reaching Lichen
It on Green Hollow, Lava Flow climbs uphill a bit. Boulder Dash bypasses
the bottom of Green Hollow and the first part of Lava Flow.)
The trail is 0.7 miles long with 200 vertical feet of elevation loss.
As a comparison, the route via Green Hollow and back uphill on Lava
Flow is 0.4 miles longer, adding about 70 vertical feet of climbing. Not a
big deal if you're not looking forward to tech stuff on Boulder Dash.
Looking back uphill at one of the steep ramps you'll
need to roll.
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If you're planning to do Boulder Dash as part of a loop
ride from the bottom, ride Lichen It then turn left uphill on Green
Hollow. You'll find the trail fork on your right exactly 0.8
miles uphill from the origin of Green Hollow.
Once you make a hairpin left turn, pedal 150 yards further and watch for the
trail on the crest of a hill before Green Hollow drops through a shallow
wash. The coordinates are N37 38.133 W113 04.489. Just
getting started, heading south. The trail here could fool you. It's for
experts: double black. |
| When heading downhill on Green Hollow, Boulder Dash is on
your left at mile 1.7 from the Greens Lake trailhead parking lot. The fork
comes just after you turn right in a drainage and climb a small hill.
If you reach a 180-degree hairpin turn to the right, you went 150 yards
past the trail fork and you'll need to backtrack.
Rocking and rolling through pinion and juniper.
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The trail is hand-cut, so it's narrow and wiggly. (The work
was done by volunteers through Dixie Mountain Bike Trails Association, a
chapter of IMBA.) While the first bit seems
reassuringly tame, you'll quickly find yourself banging over rocks on
narrow trail hugging a steep side-slope. If you "walked" anything -- anything -- on
Lava Flow because it made you nervous, you shouldn't go on this trail.
There are only a couple of spots on the trail where
you can take in a view. This big rock to the right of the trail is the
best. Stop here.
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| There's a lot of boulder rollovers, plenty of pedal-banging
navigation through rocks, and some drops off boulders. There are several steep
but short descents on dirt. A couple of them are slippery-slide loose --
and end in a quick check-and-turn to avoid flying off the mountain.
Seriously, experts only.
Most of the trail has rock-work to support the
outside edge, because it hugs a very steep side-slope.
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The highlight of this trail: over 100 feet of continuous
rock-slab riding. This path is the most impressive rock work I've seen
anywhere. A photo can't do it
justice.
The rock slab path comes at mile 0.45. And although it looks
intimidating, it's very rideable. Just keep your weight back and keep the
bike moving at a reasonable pace so you don't hang up on a crack. On the
other hand, don't hit it at full boogie either. There's a lot of bouncing
that can easily send you into the big stuff along the side.
Looking down the hill. I've marked the path your bike
will take. |
Bottom Line:
Short, but packed with challenges. If you're a true expert rider, it's
worth extending your Lichen It to Lava Flow loop to add Boulder Dash.
Handlebar view south. Coming up: a steep drop as we
hit the end of the rock pathway.
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Getting there, Southview:
At the southern I-15 Cedar City exit (Exit 57 to Cross Hollow Road and
Highway 130), turn east onto Highway 130. Immediately turn right (south)
from 130 onto Old Highway 91. Drive 0.3 miles. Watch for the sign for
Southview Trailhead and turn left on Shurtz Canyon Drive. Now stay on
Shurtz Canyon Drive to the trailhead and find a spot to park. The Lichen
It Trail is to the east (uphill) from where you entered the parking
lot.
Greens Lake:
On Old 91 as above, at mile 0.1 turn left on Greens Lake Drive. Keep going
uphill after the road turns to gravel. The trail head is on your right,
about 2.3 miles uphill from 91.
Bathrooms: Southview Trailhead
Water: None at trailhead
Camping: None at trailhead |
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