Broken Mesa Rim Trail - Awesome technical downhill singletrack. For skilled riders, full suspension recommended. Moderate initial climb then long downhill. Loop or point-to-point with shuttle. Season year-round.
When the guys at the local bike shop say "This is the most fun trail I've ever ridden!" you have to pay attention. Of course, their definition of "fun" includes a tough initial climb, tricky spots involving rough bone-jarring lava boulders, and a half-mile plunge that's truly steep and dangerous.
Located 5 miles north of St. George, the Broken Mesa Rim trail should be reserved for strong and adventurous riders. The trail can be ridden year-round. The downhill singletrack is 7 miles, with an initial uphill mile that climbs 600 vertical feet. It can be done as an 8-mile point-to-point with shuttle, or as a 14.5-mile loop. If you do the loop option, you'll climb a total 1300.
Getting there: From the St. George Blvd exit of I-15, turn towards the city (west), then immediately turn right on 10th East. Zero your odometer here. Take the next right on Highland, then next left onto Industrial Road. Turn left at 0.7 on Red Rock Road. The road will turn to gravel. Keep left at the next fork, continuing north uphill on Cottonwood Road. (At 3.3 miles, you'll pass a water tank on your right. The return trail for the loop option comes back here. You can park here and bike up the road if you want to.) Pavement ends at 3.7. Keep left at the next fork at 5.4. Watch for a sign "Red Cliffs Mesa Rim Trail" at mile 8.8 and turn towards a fenced parking area at a stock watering trough at mile 9.0. GPS N 37° 13.451' W 113° 34.197'
Shuttle option: Leave a car on Buena Vista Blvd, just off I-15's Exit 10 in Washington. As you leave the trail, turn left on powerline doubletrack, right at second pole, then work your way downhill through the golf course and into town.
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