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Hobble Creek Paved Trail
This is a paved trail, great for family rides. Ride it as an
out-and-back (up the canyon and back down). It's 4.5 miles each way, but
you can drive uphill to several alternate parking spots for a shorter
ride. The slope is easy, except for one short section (100 yards) where
the climb is stiff enough that little guys without gears will walk. Total
elevation gain is only 350 feet.
Jessica leads Kristen past the
reservoir, about 1.5 miles into the ride. The reservoir is an alternate
spot to park and catch the trail. Photos by Bruce from a ride on June 16, 2006.
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The ride starts in a residential area of Springville, with
the paved trail in place of sidewalk along the Hobble Creek Canyon road.
The first 3/4 mile seems more like in-town riding, then you cruise past
manicured areas with mansions as you enter the canyon. You'll cross a few
streets and driveways during this first mile, so keep your little guys
close. It's only as you approach the reservoir that you're actually riding
"in the woods."
Crossing Hobble Creek. Note the nature
interpretive sign.
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This is a great trail for kiddies in bike-trailers. At mile
3.2, there's a steeper spot that will take a bit of muscle to climb if
you're pulling a trailer. Little guys with training wheels or single-gear
bikes will probably need to walk this slope. (Once you're to the top of
this 100-yard climb, it's easy going again.) The rest is pretty cushy.
Just enough occasional change in slope for beginning riders to practice
changing gears.
Most of the time, you're riding through groves of gambel oak. Near the
creek, there's choke cherry with occasional maple and box elder. The ride
is prettiest in May, but can be ridden most of the year.
Jessica climbs upward, on the way to a
9-mile round trip. This is a nice trail for beginning riders, and for
getting back into shape after a long layoff from biking.
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At mile 2.8, there's a large parking lot, with a picnic
table. This is a good parking area for short exploration rides with
training-wheel riders.
There are benches along the trail about every half mile. You'll cross
Hobble Creek a couple of times on spacious, well-protected bridges. No
worries there. At mile 3.2 comes the major hazard of the ride: the trail
crosses the busy (high-speed) canyon road. Have your little guys in check
here!
Alex (age 16) hammers his way uphill. |
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Riding Guide from "official start:"
0.0 Begin paved "sidewalk"
N 40° 09.25 W 111° 34.78, altitude 4800
1.5 Reservoir
N 40° 09.185 W 111° 32.704, altitude 4950
2.8 Parking - Picnic
N 40° 09.461 W 111° 31.836
3.2 Cross road, begin short climb
4.5 End at road fork - Rotary Park
N 40° 09.849 W 111° 30.071, altitude 5140
Here's Kristen, age 18, celebrating a beautiful day
and a great family ride.
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| Getting there: Take the 400 South Springville exit
(260) from
I-15, turning east on U-77. Go straight through Springville. As you begin to climb the
foothills, you'll come to a 4-way stop. Turn right (southward) towards
Hobble Creek Canyon. The road will begin to veer back to the east. As it
turns eastward, a road comes in from the right (south side), and you'll
notice that the sidewalk on your right has become a wide paved path. This
is where the trail starts. Alternately, you can drive 1/4 to 1/2 mile up
the road to find alternate parking. |
Copyright 2006 Mad Scientist Software Inc
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