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Soldier Hollow
Soldier Hollow was the site of the 2002 Olympic
cross-country ski competition. In the summertime, this nicely-built trail
system is available for mountain biking. There are about 12 miles of
trails located in a semi-circle on the rolling hills west of Heber.
Although the total altitude gain isn't great (around 300 feet), the
up-and-down riding can add up to a substantial bit of vertical. Base
altitude is 5800 feet. Trails are easier-intermediate in technical
requirement.
View of trails in the rolling hillside
of Soldier Hollow. Photos May 12, 2003. |
| There are trails all over, following and jumping between the
cross-country ski routes. Soldier Hollow is the site of an Intermountain
Cup race and the Wednesday night Sundance/Soldier Hollow series. If a race route is marked (and it usually is), that's a
good riding plan. Just follow the signs. The map below is for the 9-mile
Intermountain Cup race loop. For the ICup race, climbing will be about
1200 per loop.
Looking down towards the competition
building, with the biathlon shooting targets behind it. The brown area is
now a golf course.
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Beginning riders will want to stay on the mellower trails
that follow the ski tracks. Just find a path and wander around.
Soldier Hollow is a fee area within a state park. There's no fee gate,
but officially you should pay to ride (2007 = $3). And, you'll need to
sign a waiver. Stop at the main lodge to register.
Ben Hutchings carves a turn during the
2006 Intermountain Cup race. |
| Soldier Hollow is a good spot for a riders of varying
ability. The higher portion of the ICup race loop has some nice
semi-technical singletrack. If you're not following a marked race course,
the navigation to this section can be tricky as you meander over, under, around, and through the cross-country ski tracks.
But you can't get completely lost. You can see the observation tower from 90% of the
trail area. Just head downhill, back to the central track.
Nearby, you can catch the Heber
Creeper. |
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Getting there: From US-40, turn north on U-113.
Zero your odometer. Drive 2 miles, then turn left immediately after
crossing the railroad tracks. Turn left at the stop sign 1/2 mile later.
At the intersection 3.8 miles from US-40, turn R and drive up to the
lodge. Go inside, pay your fee, and sign the waiver. The trails start
downhill by the competition building (tower). Grab a paved road until you
see singletrack forking off. This map shows the Intermountain Cup race
loop (about 9 miles riding per loop within this 1 square mile area,
believe it or not).
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