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Sink Hollow (Logan Canyon)
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Sink Hollow is a narrow ATV trail north of Beaver
Mountain near the top of Logan Canyon. The
Sink Hollow trail itself features 5 miles of downhill through pine and
aspen forest. Ride it as a 13.5 mile loop with 1300 feet of climbing by
taking the dirt Beaver Creek road uphill.
View as we enter Gibson Basin, where
the climbing ends and the downhill begins. Photos September 27, 2008 by Bruce.
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| Aerobically, this ride is fairly easy. The climb up Beaver
Creek is smooth and fast, with a steady gentle slope. There's about
1/4 mile of steeper rocky ATV-tread as you divert off Beaver Creek and
climb over a small hill toward Gibson Basin.
The descent down Sink Hollow
would rate advanced technical due to some rock gardens and steeper loose
slopes. The hairy spots are easy to see in advance, so intermediates can
do this route by hiking through the scary spots. Overall, it's a fairly
quick trip, about 90 minutes for a skilled rider.
You're surrounded by pine, aspen, and fir. It's a very pretty ride,
especially in the fall. On the uphill along Beaver Creek, you'll share the
dirt road with crowds of ATVs and SUVs. Not a problem. There's plenty of
passing room, and it was surprisingly quiet and non-dusty as the
motorheads rolled by.
View up the Beaver Creek road early in
the ride. |
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The Beaver Creek road travels alongside the creek. Beaver
dams are everywhere. Early in the morning, expect to see moose and deer.
Primitive camping spots are sprinkled along the road. At 4.1 miles up the
road, you'll pass the Beaver Creek Campground (with bathrooms). A bit past
the campground, pass the smaller road to Swan Flats -- another ride option
-- on your right.
Beaver dam and home on Beaver Creek. |
| At 5.8 miles, there's a major intersection. Fork left (twice) and head
up the draw along the creek. At mile 7.0, watch for a sign "Gibson
Basin" and fork left off the main road, down through the creek onto ATV
tread. Climb the stiff uphill and descend into Gibson Basin.
As you enter Gibson Basin at mile 7.4, keep R and cross to
the west side for the more-technical ATV route. (Left takes you along a
butter-smooth track, rejoining at the south end.) At 7.9, fork L to stay
along the edge of the basin. At 9.1, go R (south) into the trees as the
easier route rejoins. |
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180-degree view from the north end of Gibson Basin. As
you enter the basin, the left fork is smooth and fast.
The smaller right ATV tread is lots more fun, and is the "official
ride." The two tracks rejoin at the south end.
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Now the plunge begins. There are some challenging rock gardens that can
be a fun route-picking challenge. Spot your line; plan your attack; see if
you can get through without a dab. I didn't see a single motorized vehicle
on a Saturday in Sink Hollow, but keep an eye out for fast-climbing
motorcycles and ATVs as you hit those well-bermed high-speed turns.
In Sink Hollow, the terrain alternates
between aspen, pine, and fir on narrow ATV tread. |
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Jackie gets a breather
after taking a hit off
the Camelbak and snarfing a bit of Cliff Bar. |
We're rolling up and down
small hills on the
west side of Gibson Basin, heading to the hollow. |
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Rock gardens, in some
places axle-high, wait
for you to try your skill. Over some, around some. |
We hug the mountainside
along the creek during
the descent down the hollow. Not too tricky here. |
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Riding notes:
0.0 Trailhead on north end of parking
Join larger road
0.2 Pass Sink Hollow return, keep R
N41 58.563 W111 31.857
4.1 Pass Beaver Creek Campground
N42 01.226 W111 31.803
4.2 Keep straight (Swan Flats on R)
5.8 Fork L, keep L at 2nd road
N42 02.547 W111 32.248
7.0 Fork L through creek, up hill
Critical
Fork!!!
N42 02.755 W111 33.492
7.4 Keep R across basin
N42 02.533 W111 33.852
7.9 Fork L
N42 02.162 W111 33.982
9.1 Join alternate path, fork R
N42 01.622 W111 33.304
13.5 Back at parking
Families: Consider riding Beaver
Creek as an out-and-back.
Getting there: In Logan, turn east at 400 North on US-89
towards Logan Canyon (about 2 miles). After you enter the canyon, drive
24.5 miles, almost to the top. Turn left toward Beaver Mountain Ski Area
and park in the large trailer-parking area 1/2 mile later. The trailhead
(and a bathroom) are on the northern end N41 58.385 W111 31.896.
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