|
Rick's Canyon - Steel Hollow Loop
|
 |
The Rick's Canyon - Steel Hollow Loop is a 12.2 mile
advanced-intermediate ride in the Right Fork of Logan Canyon. Altitude
gain is 2100 feet, with much of the grade exceeding 12% in upper Rick's
Canyon. This loop is for strong, well-conditioned riders with good
bike-handling skills. I recommend riding up Rick's and down Steel Hollow.
(Steel Hollow is a bit more steep and technical on the uphill.) This is a
great ride, but it's not for beginners.
Photo from the ridgetop, looking north
back towards Logan Canyon. Photos September 25, 2001 by Bruce
Argyle.
|
|
The trail starts in dry, hot cedars near the Girl's Camp.
After following the creek gently uphill for 0.6 miles, the trail crosses
the creek and forks. Take the right fork, away from the creek. Rapidly,
the terrain changes to fir and aspen, with currant and mahogany bushes.
At 1.4 miles, the trail forks again. Go right for Rick's Canyon and
start climbing. At 3.5 miles, the trail begins to dip up and down, then
climbs more steeply. You'll reach the top of the ridge at a doubletrack at
4.3 -- go 100 yards to the main dirt road and turn left.
Jackie
takes a break while Bruce shoots a typical section of easier singletrack,
climbing uphill in the bottom of Rick's Canyon. |
|
 |
Follow the road, ignoring any small side trails and smaller
roads. Descend to an intersection in a broad rolling meadow at mile 7.0
and go left (north). Begin a slow climb and watch for the Steel Hollow
singletrack at mile 7.8 on your left. (If you encounter another
doubletrack, or begin a sharp descent on the road past "Dog
Springs," you missed the trail.)
The ridgeline has open meadows
alternating with groves of aspen.
|
| Steel Hollow is a lovely descent for the first 2 miles, then
you'll run into some technical stuff. Horses have churned the trail, so on
some steeps and switchbacks, you can only hold on and surf. Watch out for
the cliffside hairpin left-hand turn about 2 miles down the trail -- if
you hit this with speed, you'll find some major Not Rock under your
wheels.
View down the trail, higher up in
Steel Hollow.
|
|
|
|
The Steel Hollow Trail rejoins Rick's at mile 10.8. Watch
for cows in the trail, and try your best to avoid the copious cow
excrement. But if you can't handle a little fertilizer in your teeth, you
should stay at the spa on the exercycle. An
outcrop of limestone on the wall of the canyon. The rocks of Logan Canyon
are from the Ordovician Period. During this time, ocean shoreline crept
back and forth through this area of Utah, alternating shoreline deposits
with deeper ocean limestone. (During this period 500 million years ago,
there were no plants or animals yet on land.)
|
| Backtrack to the intersection with the Willow Springs trail and follow the
creek back to the trailhead. Awesome ride.
Another look at the brilliant fall
leaves on the Steel Hollow Trail. |
|
 |
Getting there: From Logan's main street, turn east
towards the mountains on US-89 (4th North). Pass Utah State University and
enter Logan Canyon. 8.7 miles up the canyon, watch for the Right Fork
turnoff, a small paved road on your right just after a bridge. Drive up
this road 1.2 miles, then keep left at the fork on the road, continuing on
gravel. Pass the Girls' Camp, and arrive at the parking loop 0.6 miles
from the fork.
|
|
