Little Creek Mesa is a flat-top mountain 18 miles east of Hurricane.
It's just a few miles
south of its more famous twin Gooseberry Mesa. Little Creek has
a mix of singletrack, areas
of open rock, and some tech challenges. I highly recommend it.
Chad
Hunter pauses his K2 on the edge of the Shinarump caprock at the
mesa's west end. To the north, Gooseberry mesa rises above the valley
floor. Photo by Bruce Argyle November 11,
2001
The riding season starts around early April and lasts
through November. Little Creek Mesa stays wet longer than other trails in southwest
Utah. Pre-season riding or riding after spring rainstorms will damage the trail.
(Little Creek is considered an environmentally sensitive area by the
BLM.) To help keep Little Creek open to bike riding, go only when
conditions are dry. Over the Edge Sports (76 E. 100 S., Hurricane) is
happy to provide current trail conditions. Call 435-635-5455.
Typical singletrack trail section
shows firm dirt base alternating with sections of rock, as the trail winds
through pinion and juniper.
The singletrack portions wind through pinion, juniper, and gooseberry. The trail zigs and zags over small outcrops of rock, and is
fairly (but not horrendously) technical.
The open rock is rolling sandstone and conglomerate of the
Shinarump member of the Chinle Formation (Triassic Period, about 245
million years ago). This is great rock riding, without any long brutal climbs.
There are a gazillion stunt opportunities.
Jon, Jamie, and Keith cross a typical section of Little Creek's
rock in 2001.
If the above video does not appear on your
browser/device, you can watch it on YouTube by clicking
here.
There are two interconnected loops of about 9 miles each. The
western side (Main Loop or West Mesa Loop) has more tree-lined cruising, while still offering
plenty of tech
stuff. The eastern half (North Point Loop, Eastern Loop) has more slickrock and more-difficult tech
stunts. It's also more of a navigation challenge. When linked
together at the midpoint, the two routes combine for 14 miles
of advanced riding.
Westbound, we arrive at the fork where
the Magic Carpet Ride forks north off the Main (West Mesa) Loop.
The ride starts at 5600 feet elevation. There's little vertical change over the course of the trail.
But constant up-and-down riding will add to significant climbing. The
14-mile big loop requires 1100 vertical feet of climbing.
Matt takes a little air, outbound on
the West Mesa Loop.
In the slickrock areas, the trail is marked by cairns (small rockpiles).
I've found the trail to be easy to follow at times, and
difficult on other years. The
West Mesa Loop (returning via Magic Carpet Ride) now seems to be consistently
well-marked and pretty easy to follow. Just an occasional head-turn to
spot the next cairn.
Not a cairn. Compared to other trails
in the region, Little Creek has a lot of flora and fauna. This old guy
refused to budge from the middle of the trail. I scratched up my ankles in
the brush while walking around.
The slickrock areas on the eastern side of the North Point
Loop
can be very
hard to navigate. If you don't know where you're going, you WILL get lost.
A GPS track file, or an experienced Little Creek rider, is highly highly
recommended. In some areas on the east side of this loop, competing
routes, and cheater routes, and "fun add-ons" create a confusing
sea of cairns.
An area of rain-soaked singletrack has
been armored with rock slabs. Check riding conditions before going!
Little Creek's easiest ride is an out-and-back via Magic
Carpet to the North Point. The West Mesa Loop (with return via Magic
Carpet) is another popular and not-too-overwhelming option. These routes
are fairly easy to navigate and can be done by newcomers with just a map
and riding directions.
Chad takes a wheelie off a ledge. November 11, 2001.
Most popular (and my favorite) is the BIG Loop, combining
West Mesa with North Point for 14 miles. But be prepared for delays and
head-scratching as you try to navigate southbound on the east side of this
big loop. It's not unusual to finish with an extra 2 miles, spent riding
in circles on the rolling sandstone looking for the way home. I strongly
recommend following a GPS track.
Matt executes a bunny hop with a
twist, with the cliffs of Zion National Park in the background. There's so
much fun rock, it's hard to keep from playing around. Play on slickrock
only -- on singletrack, stay on the trail.
Magic Carpet to North Point (out-and-back)
This ride is 9.2 miles round trip, mostly on singletrack. The trail forks
are marked with signposts, so navigation is simple. The few areas of open
rock are non-threatening and pretty easy to ride. This is the route I'd
suggest for adventurous advanced-beginner or early-intermediate
riders.
Trail intersection between the West
Mesa Loop and Magic Carpet Ride. The trail in the photo heads to the North
Point and sandstone canyon rides.
Like all the Little Creek rides, the Magic Carpet to North
Point route starts with 0.15 miles heading west on the same road you drove
on. Turn right on singletrack at the rockpiles and head north through the
trees. After 1/2 mile, you'll arrive at open rock with cairns turning you
west (left). You may also see some cairns ahead on the right -- this is
the return from the Big Loop. Go left. After another 1/4 mile, you'll come
to a trail marker sign. Fork right and veer right again off the old DT
after 0.1 mile.
The sandstone canyon. Plenty of room
to play, but please don't mark alternate routes -- route-finding is
confusing enough as it is.
After 1.3 miles of Magic Carpet Ride, fork right toward
"North Loops." When you come to an open slickrock area 1/3 mile
later with a trailpost in the middle, fork left and find continuing
singletrack at the northeast corner.
After another 1/3 mile, you're at a slickrock ridge, looking north at a
broad rock valley. Obey the signpost and keep left, finding the continuing
singletrack in the trees. Now simply ride another couple of miles to the
North Point.
View northwest toward the Pine Valley
Mountains from the singletrack to the North Point.
West Mesa Loop
This 9.5-mile route is a favorite for intermediate riders. The tech
challenges are manageable and there's a lot of nice cruising on tree-lined
singletrack. The singletrack is interrupted regularly by rock outcrops
that are fun playgrounds. It will arrive at the western cliffs for awesome
views, then curve back to join Magic Carpet Ride for the return.
The singletrack is rarely "just
dirt." Lots of sandstone.
Head west at the slickrock fork at mile 0.6, and keep
straight at the next fork where Magic Carpet Ride heads to your right. Now
just follow the trail until you come to the fork at the north end of Magic
Carpet Ride. Turn right (south) and head home.
We're approaching the North Point.
Ahead is Gooseberry Mesa. And below.. Really? A golf course?
At the Magic Carpet Ride fork, riders who are still looking
for a whole bunch more can head left to do the Big Loop. Warning: those
last 7 miles have many times the tech factor, and will take you twice as
long as the first 7 miles.
Or if you just want a tiny bit more tech, you can go left toward the
North Loops, but then keep right at the next fork in 1/3 mile. Drop into
the slot canyon. You'll get more tech (but similar distance) by catching
this eastern half of the main loop.
Chad, Mike, Dominic, and Matt
appreciate a viewpoint along the east-side trail from North Point.
The Big Loop
This 14-mile route is for advanced riders, or for upper-intermediates who
have a lot of time and a sense of adventure. Follow the West Mesa Loop to
the Magic Carpet Ride fork, but go left (north) toward the North Loops. At
the open slickrock area, go to the trail signpost and fork 90 degrees
left. At the next open rock area, go to the trailpost and veer left to
find singletrack in the trees. Follow this trail to the North Point.
View down from North Point.
Immediately after turning south from North Point, the trail
gets rougher and many times more technical. Make your way south and enter
an area of slickrock mounds. Some spots are tricky. Follow the cairns. As
you reach the bottom of the broad slickrock area, ignore any cairns you
can see in the far distance ahead. You need to cross the wash to your left
and begin climbing east. You'll pass a "cheater route" joining
you on the right from the last trail fork.
A spot you don't have to ride. There's
an alternate line around this stunt.
At the top of the hill, turn south and navigate along the
edge of the trees. As the treeline turns eastward (left), follow that
curve and find the line of cairns on the far side. Don't be suckered into
going up and over the ridge. You'll wind up back at the ridgeline trail
fork.
The east-side slickrock between North
Point and the Waterfall has the most-difficult riding of any trail
segment.
Now continue south. The trail will turn west along the edge
of a slot canyon. Follow it until you can ride across, then turn back east
along the edge. Rock piles mark the spot where you must drop steeply into
the slot canyon.
Now follow the slot canyon bottom. It will make a tight turn and drop
over a rock ledge (The Waterfall). Continue straight through the main wash
and climb the other side.
Chad drops six feet off the top of a
cave. Don't try this at home.
As you arrive at the top of the climb, immediately fork
right. (There are occasionally cairns marking an alternate route on the
left. Many many riders -- including me, despite having been there before
-- have gotten lost on this alternate route and wound up bushwhacking back
toward the mesa road.)
Follow the trail a mile back to the first fork.
Mike slips through the slot and turns
to the Waterfall.
Ride Notes, West Mesa Loop with Magic
Carpet clockwise (easier), 9.5 miles:
0.0 Continue west on doubletrack from parking
0.2 R uphill on ST into trees N37 03.582 W113 13.664
0.5 Cross faint doubletrack, arrive at open rock
Fork L at N 37 03.821 W 113
13.606, westbound
(Straight = to North Loop)
0.8 Marked fork in flat washbottom
Go straight N 37 03.737 W 113
13.994
R = Return trail (Magic Carpet Ride)
3.6 Reach western edge of mesa, north along cliffs
N 37 04.166 W 113 15.154
5.0 Trail veers eastward
6.0 Southbound
6.9 Drop into fork of Gould Wash
briefly
N37 04.701 W113 13.602
7.3 Trail fork, R to Magic Carpet Ride
N 37 04.488 W 113 13.405 (L = to
north loops or larger loop, see
below)
8.2 Trail crosses open rock canyon to your left
8.4 Join doubletrack, straight downhill
N 37° 03.797' W 113° 13.792'
8.6 Back at trail fork (0.8) N 37 03.737 W 113 13.994
L in bottom of wash, follow
slickrock
8.9 Back at first trail fork (0.5), R on original path
9.5 At parking
*The West Loop has a fair
amount of soft
dirt surface. It's late to dry in the spring, and turns to slop with
rainstorms. Do Not Ride it when wet!
Full Main Loop, clockwise (about same
distance, but significantly harder), 9.6 miles:
Follow
West Mesa Loop (above) to mile 7.3
7.3 Fork L toward North Loops
N 37 04.488 W 113 13.405
7.6 Open rock area, trail sign N37 04.552 W113 13.162 R (straight) southeast
7.7 Trail drops steeply into bottom of rock wash
N37 04.520 W113 13.081 (follow
washbottom)
7.8 Waterfall, cross Gould Wash, steep
climb out
7.9 Critical spot! Fork R just
after finishing climb
N37 04.418 W113 13.004
(L = occasionally marked
alternate routes)
8.4 Alternate rejoins on L N37 04.129 W113 13.271
9.0 Keep straight (L) at original trail fork
N37 03.818 W113 13.599
9.6 Back at car
Big Loop clockwise, West Mesa and North
Point (tough), 14 miles:
Follow West Mesa Loop (above) to mile 7.3
7.3 Fork L toward North Loops
N 37 04.488 W 113 13.405
7.6 Open rock area, trail sign N37 04.552 W113 13.162 Fork R (northeast)
find ST at corner of slickrock
7.8 Ridge, looking at slickrock ahead and on R
N37 04.694 W113 13.046 Keep L and climb into
trees on ST
(R = two shortcuts E and
NE)
9.6 At North Point, trail turns south
N37 05.697 W113 12.386
10.5 Trail more tech, harder to follow
11.4 L to cross bottom N37 04.787 W113 12.816
Climb uphill east
11.5 Shortcut rejoins on L, stay straight and uphill
N37 04.740 W113 12.767
Turn 90 degrees R at top
of hill
11.7 Confusion of cairns. Stay
southbound near trees
11.8 Veer L and downhill N37 04.633 W113 12.949
(R up = cheater route to
fork at 7.8)
Cross to opposite side
along treeline
12.0 W along edge of slot canyon until it's shallow
Cross over N37 04.531 W113 13.096
After crossing,
turn L (east)
12.1 Drop into slot canyon, follow bottom east
N37 04.520 W113 13.081
12.2 Waterfall, cross Gould Wash, steep climb out
12.3 Critical spot! Fork R just after finishing climb
N37 04.418 W113 13.004
(L = occasionally
marked alternate routes)
12.8 Alternate rejoins on L N37 04.129 W113 13.271
13.4 Keep straight (L) at original trail fork
N37 03.818 W113 13.599
14.0 Back at car
North Point Loop counterclockwise (tough,
harder to navigate), 8.7 miles:
0.0 West on doubletrack from parking area
0.2 R off DT onto ST N37 03.582 W113 13.664
0.6 DT then open rock, keep straight (R)
N 37 03.821 W 113 13.606
(cairns going L = to West Mesa
Loop)
1.1 Fork at end of rock area, keep left
N 37 04.157 W 113° 13.255
(R = "adventures in being
lost")
1.6 Fork in trail, go left and downhill
N 37 04.714 W 113 13.019
(Right = another good way to get lost)
1.7 Up waterfall into canyon
Climb steeply L out of slot
canyon
1.8 Turn R through dip N37 04.531 W113 13.096
(straight = to west Main Loop)
Then R (east) to follow edge of
slot
2.0 Large open rock area, follow contour north
(Cairns are often confusing)
Avoid shortcut on L at N37 04.633 W113 12.949
2.5 Turn left and drop west into slickrock canyon
N 37 04.719 W 113 12.754
Left and up = shortcut to return loop
2.6 Across wash then right
4.3 North Point N37 05.697 W113 12.386
6.0 Open rock, keep L and south
N37 04.694 W113 13.046
(R = shortcuts to outgoing
trail)
6.3 Cross open rock, R after ledge
N37 04.552 W113 13.162
(L = shortcut to slot canyon,
Waterfall)
6.6 L on Magic Carpet Ride
N 37 04.488 W 113 13.405
(R = West Mesa Loop)
7.5 Trail crosses open rock canyon to your left
7.7 Join doubletrack, straight downhill
N 37° 03.797' W 113° 13.792'
7.9 Trail sign N 37 03.737 W 113 13.994
L in bottom of wash, follow
slickrock
(R = West Mesa Loop)
8.2 Back at first trail fork (0.5), R on original path
8.7 At parking
Out-and-back to North Point via Magic
Carpet Ride (easiest), 9.2 miles:
0.0 Continue west on doubletrack from parking
0.2 R uphill on ST into trees N37 03.582 W113 13.664
0.5 Cross faint doubletrack, arrive at open rock
Fork L at N 37 03.821 W 113
13.606, westbound
(Straight = to North Loop)
0.8 Marked fork N 37 03.737 W 113 13.994
R on Magic Carpet Ride
0.9 Veer R off DT
2.2 Trail fork, R to North Loops
N 37 04.488 W 113 13.405
2.5 Open rock area, trail
sign N37 04.552 W113 13.162 Fork R (northeast)
find ST at corner of slickrock
2.8 Ridge, looking at slickrock ahead and on R
N37 04.694 W113 13.046 Keep L and climb into
trees on ST
(R = two shortcuts E and
NE to eastern trail)
4.6 At North Point, trail turns south
N37 05.697 W113 12.386
Turn around, backtrack to start
Getting there: On Highway 9 at the east end of
Hurricane, turn south on US-59 and zero your odometer. One block later,
turn left (east) and begin climbing up out of the Hurricane Valley. 13.2
miles later, turn right on gravel road. 14.1 turn right; 14.9 keep right;
16.0 keep left; 16.4 keep left; 18.5 continue straight across cattleguard; 19.5 turn right (critical
turn where corral is on your left, leave the main road); 20.1 bear left. At 21.0, cross 3rd cattle guard; 21.5 road
reaches slickrock, park here (GPS N 37° 03.586' W 113° 13.528'). Begin
the ride by heading down the road (the singletrack forks off on the right
0.2 miles later).
