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Cassidy Trail
The Cassidy Trail is a little-known but awesome ride. The
trail is upper-intermediate technical, moderate aerobic. Trailhead is at
7200 feet, rising to 7900. The trail starts on Highway 12 in Red Canyon, and
connects to the Casto Canyon and Losee Canyon trails. Ride options include
out-and-back (to Braxton Point 5.5 miles round trip), loop with Losee
Canyon (14 miles), or a loop with Casto Canyon (20 miles).
The Cassidy Trail lies on Claron
Formation limestone, creating colorful rock formations. Photos by Bruce,
July 31, 2004.
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| The Cassidy Trail is a lot like Thunder Mountain, which is
located just on the other side of highway 12. This is probably the
greatest ride you've never heard of. Done as a loop (or shuttle ride) up
Cassidy then down Losee Canyon, it's a world-class ride.
The scenery is colorful limestone with a sprinkling of manzanita,
cedar, long-leaf and bristlecone pine. Temperatures are warm but tolerable
at mid-day in summer.
Bruce pilots "Banana
Thunder" down Losee Canyon. |
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Cassidy to Losee Canyon Loop,
counterclockwise
0.0 Trailhead on U-12, N on ST
N 37° 44.111' W 112° 18.089'
0.9 Fork R (L = Rich Trail)
N 37° 45.320' W 112° 17.890'
2.3 Rich Trail rejoins
2.4 Fork L (R = Rich Trail)
N 37° 45.775' W 112° 18.349'
2.8 View, Braxton Point N 37° 46.062' W 112° 18.352'
Alt=7860
3.2 Trails rejoin and split, veer R (L = Rich)
N 37° 45.944' W 112° 17.963'
View from Braxton Point, top of Cassidy Trail |
3.5 Rich Trail rejoins on L N 37° 46.036' W 112° 17.724'
5.2 Begin steep descent
5.7 Bottom of canyon, L to Losee
(R = Cassidy continues to Casto)
N 37° 46.638' W 112° 17.292'
9.1 Losee Canyon trailhead, L on gravel road
N 37° 46.183' W 112° 20.054'
11 L up paved road
12 Transfer to paved bike trail along road
14.1 Watch for trailhead (hard to see across road)
Nearing the bottom of Losee Canyon. You can shuttle
from here to the Red Canyon trailhead, or complete the loop with 5 miles
on gravel and pavement. |
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Getting there: From US-89, drive 4.2 miles east on
U-12 (towards Bryce Canyon National Park). Pass the Thunder Mountain
trailhead, the Visitor's Center, and a campground. Watch for a turnoff
into a well-hidden parking area on the left, signed "Red Canyon
Trailhead." The Cassidy Trail begins at the northeast corner of the
parking area. N 37° 44.111' W 112° 18.089'
Copyright 2004 Mad Scientist Software Inc
Thanks to Jon Parker for GPS track file.
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