The southern end of Lambert Park lies on a
dry hillside consisting mostly of sage brush. There are occasional stands
of oak brush -- some of it skeletons from three fires and two run-off
floods in the past 20 years.
This area tends to dry quickly after storms. In the spring, these trails are
ready to ride before the west-side trails
(such as Middle and High Bench), and often several weeks before the shaded
northern
trails are dry.
Climbing uphill on the Zag trail.
Original review by Bruce in September 1998, with latest trail update
October 1, 2022.
Lambert Park's southeast corner was rebuilt in 2022 to offer some fun flow
trails, as a contrast to the rest of the park where the theme is natural narrow
XC riding.
On the lower slopes of Lambert's south end, the
north-south bike trails (High Bench, River, Middle) are crossed by the broad Lambert hiking-only loop
trail. The intersections are open with good sight lines, but remember to
yield to hikers.
Looking north toward Lone Peak on the newly-rebuilt
Zag trail.
Best trailhead for south Lambert Park
South Trailhead, also called High Bench or the "Church" trailhead
Very popular place to start your ride, and the best for direct access to
the newer DH flow system at the park's southeast corner. On Alpine Blvd, turn left as you
pass the church, then immediately left onto a narrow paved road at the back side of
the church. This road will end at the gravel trailhead. Nice bathroom with running
water, lots of parking, and a shaded picnic area.
High Bench trailhead, looking northeast.
Zag Trail
Stats Length: 1.1 mi.
Elevation change: 200 ft
Tech: easy
The Zag Trail is a two-way multi-purpose trail that winds
back and forth across the slopes of Lambert's southeast corner. It links
the High Bench trailhead area to the top of the DH flow trails. The Zag
trail is 1.1 miles long, with 200 vertical feet of elevation change.
Looking north as the Zag trail winds through brush
and grass.
The trail is easy to ride uphill and down. It's suitable for beginning
riders and makes a nice climbing route to reach the DH flow trails.
History: Zag was rebuilt in 2022 to make the route a
bit more direct. It now has replaced the White Dog and Brown Dog trails on
the upper mountain slope.
Zag is a fun climb or descent, meandering at a gentle
pace.
Most riders will use Zag as a climbing trail to reach the DH
flow trails on Lambert's southern side. At the bottom, Zag forks off the
Middle Trail just past the little bridge along the water-tank road -- just
north of the High Bench trailhead. For the first 100 feet, Zag and Ziggy
are combined.
Looking east as Zag goes through the old apple
orchard area. There are a couple of these rock strips to roll over -- if
you want to.
Zag forks to the right away from Ziggy to begin the climb
uphill. From here to the top of the hill there will be no trail forks, so
navigation is simple.
Looks pretty, but most of it is cheat grass,
which will dry out in a few weeks.
Zag spends most of its time on a sagebrush slope. This
area used to be an orchard, and a couple of almost-dead wild apple trees
remain. The top of Zag was burned down to dirt by a fire (then washed over
by a massive floow) a few years ago, and the
vegetation is still recovering. So most of the terrain is meadow with
small stands of sprouting oak brush.
Almost to the
top.
I think the new Zag is a great ride both uphill and down.
Most riders will climb it, because the new Green Flow trail at the top of
Zag is an easy ride downhill. But young children and slow inexperienced
beginners should descend Zag instead of the flow trail.
Bruce takes the rock challenge on upper Zag.
Ziggy Trail
Stats Length: 0.4 mi.
Elevation change: 200 ft
Tech: easy
The Ziggy Trail was resurfaced and straightened in 2022.
My understanding is that it's planned to be a hiking-preferred trail, although
riders are currently climbing the trail to reach the top of Zag. Ziggy
extends from its common origin with Zag on the Middle Trail up to the
wilderness border.
Heading uphill on Ziggy shortly after it forks away
from Zag.
Ziggy covers the 200 vertical feet in only 0.4 miles, so
it's a stiffer climb than Zag by far. At the top of Ziggy -- where it
reaches the wilderness border -- a traversing trail heads south 0.2 miles
to the top of Zag and the Green Flow DH trail.
At the wilderness border. The hiking trail continues
straight and left as it enters the Lone Peak Wilderness. The trail turning
to the right lies on Alpine City property and is part of the Lambert Park
system.
I'll post more information on Ziggy once its
status is clear. At this time, the trail is used heavily by bikes climbing
to the top of Zag and the DH trails.
The trail continues to climb as it heads south toward
the top of Zag.
The Pepper trail is a highly-engineered one-way downhill
trail that descends from the top of Zag to the Middle Trail at the
water-tank road. It was finished in 2022 as part of the major re-build of
Lambert Park's southern trails.
Heading into a turn with Lone Peak as a backdrop. Note the generous height
of the berm and the wide riding surface.
The Pepper trail forks off of Zag just a few feet below the
traversing trail on the upper mountain. There's a small "stop and
wait" shelf as a staging area just above the trail entry.
An optional rock roll-over or a whoop-de-do.
The Pepper trail is considered a "green flow trail"
and is suitable for beginners. I don't
recommend it for first-time riders or very young children, but that's
simply because other riders will be flying down this trail. If you're
going to ride slow, it's best to hit Pepper on a weekday.
The trail is easy to ride and should be a fun time
for any rider. Here's the drop-in to the trail at the top of Zag.
The Pepper trail is 0.6 miles long, descending 200
vertical feet. The trail-cut is wide with a smooth dirt surface. Turns are
highly banked.
Rolling a banked turn.
There are a few bumps and rock ramps that offer a jumping opportunity and
one nice table jump. You can easily ride around any of the stunts. Most of the trail simply herds you down the hill.
The trail is easy to ride and should be a fun time
for any rider.
I recommend this trail highly. It's well built,
fun to ride, and a great confidence builder! The climb up Zag to the top
of Pepper may be a bit much for true beginners and younger kids, who might
want to try the Beginner Loop (see below) first.
Taking a banked turn with speed. Note that the world
is crooked.
Loop of the new Zag
uphill and Pepper (green flow) downhill...
If the above video does not appear on your
browser/device, you can watch it on YouTube by clicking
here.
At the top of
Zag, just past the entry to the Pepper (green flow) Trail, you'll hit the
intermediate Blue Swede trail by keeping straight. Blue Swede runs from the top of Zag down to the east fence of the south
trailhead (also called the Church or High Bench trailhead).
The alignments of three trails as seen from the top
of Zag (where it meets southbound Ziggy): left and uppermost is the black
alternate Hooked on a Feeling, ahead is Blue Swede, downhill to the right is
Pepper, which is also heading
southbound at this point.
The trail winds through banked turns, with plenty of humps
that offer a chance to jump. There are also quite a few rocks and ramps
just off the main riding line on straight sections of trail that you can
use to jump.
Sample alternate line. Smooth trail on the left, a
rock lip on the right.
In 0.2 miles, the Hooked on a Feeling alternate line comes in on your left.
Continue downhill through multiple turns. Watch for rollers that are
designed as launching bumps. On a sunny early morning, the light is coming
straight down the trail from behind you, flattening out the features.
Looking south shortly after leaving Zag, as the trail
turns to the west on a highly banked turn.
A big table jump and a few roller doubles are built
into the trail. Some of these features will launch an intermediate rider
unexpectedly. So if you aren't experienced with "air time," keep
your speed in check. The trail will evolve, of course, but at this time it
seems this trail must be taken either super fast with big air, or at
moderate pace so the mandatory humps don't throw you over the handlebars.
Rolling into a big table jump.
As Blue ASwede approaches the log fence of the southern parking area, it
turns to the north and ties into the northbound connector trail right at
the east edge of the parking lot. From there it's a
straight shot across the water tank road, over the bridge, and onto Zag
for another climb to the top.
The rollers come fast and frequent.
Loop of Zag and the
Blue Flow (intermediate) downhill trail...
If the above video does not appear on your
browser/device, you can watch it on YouTube by clicking
here.
Hooked on a Feeling (black alternate)
Stats Length: 0.2 mi (plus 0.4 of combined trail)
Elevation change: 100 ft downhill-only
Tech: intermediate
At the top of Zag, turn uphill to hit the higher trail southbound. This trail becomes the
expert-level alternate DH
route, Hooked on a Feeling which will join the main Blue Swede DH route later. You'll first encounter a nasty rock
drop that's designed to scare away non-experts. DO NOT slowly roll
this feature. You'll almost certainly hang your chain-ring on the rock
lip. You need some air under your front tire as you come over the rock's
edge.
Looking south on the uphill alternate (black) flow trail. It
will head south through a couple of rock challenges.
As the trail heads south, there's a second plunge just after
a kiosk.
Southbound on Hooked on a Feeling after the second
drop-over by the kiosk.
After heading south to the park's border, the trail rolls
through a couple of quick turns, then joins the main route. It's over too
quickly.
A fast S turn on Hooked on a Feeling before it merges with Blue Swede.
Kids Loop
The Kids Loop is a very short loop just outside the fence on
the eastern (uphill) side of the south trailhead, intended for very young
children to ride some dirt. It's exactly 1/10th mile
around, with only a few feet of elevation change. Most of the Kids Loop is
shared with the bottom of the Beginner Loop (see below). If you're doing
laps on the Beginner Loop, watch for little ones when you join this loop.
As you pass through the log fence of Lambert Park's south
trailhead, there's a weird double-T intersection. The first trail on the
right is both the return from Blue Swede and the outgoing route to the
Flank trail. (Flank connects on the south to the Redford
Run trail.) The first trail on the left goes Middle (and Zag and Ziggy for
a climb to the top of the main DH trails).
Curving around the turn on the north end of the Kids
Loop.
As you veer left -- toward the north -- you'll see a trail that runs
parallel to the one you're on. These trails touch, forming another
"T", or maybe it's an "X". This second "T"
connects you to a one-way trail, where
traffic flows from left to right. This trail is both the Kids Loop
and the Beginner Loop. Turn to the right, 180 degrees, so you're now
riding south. The loop flows counter-clockwise.
After the loop curves
back around to go north again, keep to the left to stay on the Kids
Loop. The first trail on the right is the climbing route for the Beginner
Loop, and the next trail on your right is the one-way return from the Beginner Loop.
Northbound on the Kids Loop. The trail on the right
is the climbing route of the Beginner Loop. The downhill side of the
Beginner Loop joins just before the Kids Loop turns back south.
Beginner Loop
Stats Length: 0.5 miles
Elevation change: 75 ft
Tech: beginner
The Beginner Loop starts with the Kids
Loop just outside the fence. Both trails run counterclockwise. The
Beginner Loop both begins and ends on the Kids Loop. It's a very quick
ride of 0.5 miles, with less than 100 feet of overall climbing. It's
easily done by kids and beginning riders.
A fun spot
on the loop, as the trail gently rolls across this huge rock.
To get on the Beginner Loop, veer to the left as you go
through the log fence. The first trail on the right is the return from
Blue Swede. At the next intersection a few feet later, make a 180-degree
turn to the right to get on the combined Kids Loop and Beginner Loop.
After 100 feet, you've now turned northbound on the Kids Loop. Take the
right-hand fork uphill for the Beginner Loop.
Heading uphill on the climbing side of the loop.
We're looking south.
At mile 0.15 from the bottom of the loop -- half-way to
the top of the loop -- there's a trail fork. For the full loop, keep right
to continue climbing. The trail on the left is a cut-off or
"short circuit" to the downhill side of the loop that gives you
a very easy half-a-loop of only 1/4 mile.
This is the
cut-off trail. It's only 150 feet long, cutting the loop almost exactly in
half.
The full Beginner Loop continues climbing east through
gentle turns. At mile 0.3, the trail turns downhill. Turns are highly
banked and easy to roll. There's a huge rock to roll over, but it's super
easy. There's an optional rock-drop of around 10 inches, off the main
riding line. You'll spend 0.2 miles on the downhill.
Looking back uphill at an optional rock-drop.
At the bottom, the Beginner Loop rejoins the Kids Loop
just a few feet from the trail fork where you turned away. Keep right as
you join the Kids Loop. When the trail turns back south, you can keep
straight at the cross-over area to do another lap. To return to parking,
you can turn 90 degrees right. Or, you can hook 180 degrees to get on the
outgoing trail for a climb up Zag.
Sample of the
nicely banked swooping turns.
Map shows current status as of October 26, 2022.
Getting there: Take I-15 to the
Alpine/Highland exit, just south of Point-of-the-Mountain. Drive straight east 5 miles
towards the mountains, turning left at the stoplight in Highland (where you see the
grocery store and gas station). Drive 2 miles north into Alpine to the 4-way stop at 200
North. Turn right. At the next stop sign, turn left. You'll be on 200 East, which becomes
Grove Drive. Continue northeast on Grove for two miles. The road will turn
90 degrees to the right. Pass two streets on your left, then arrive at a T
in the road. Turn right, across the river. At the fork in the road, go right
for the Bowery parking area, left for the Rodeo grounds.
Rodeo grounds trailhead: Keep
left at the fork and drive 0.25 mile on pavement, then turn right onto a dirt road and
drive 0.25 mile. The trailhead is on the right side of the road, where
you'll see a parking strip and a bathroom just before the
rodeo arena. (Toilet.)
Bowery trailhead: Keep right at the fork as you cross the river on the
paved road. Pass the High Bench dirt road on your right. About 300 feet further up the paved
road, keep straight as the main road turns right, entering a smaller road. 500 feet up the dirt
road,, the Bowery pavilion is on the left, with a parking lot on the right. (Toilet,
pavilion, water.)
South (aka High Bench or "church") trailhead: About 1.5 miles up Grove Drive (as above), turn right on
Alpine Boulevard. Go 1/2 mile until the road turns from east to south in
front of a big church. After you pass the church, fork left toward the mountains.
Immediately after the church's back fence turn left onto a narrow paved road
and proceed to the trailhead. (Toilet, shaded picnic, water.)
Moyle Drive: On Alpine Blvd, turn left onto Moyle and
drive to the end. The High Bench trail crosses the road just east of
parking. The trail that crosses the parking area is a hiking trail
(Judy's).
Bald Mountain Drive: Turn onto 100 South in Alpine. Drive
east until you're forced to turn at Country Manor Lane. Go left. At 300
North, turn right, then take the next left on Bald Mountain Drive. Go to
the end of the road and park.
