Utah Mountain Biking at Hurricane Cliffs - The Cowbell and the Cryptobionic "Highway"

Trip Stats:

• Mountain bike trails located in the Hurricane Cliffs trail system near Hurricane, Utah
• From Hurricane, take Utah State Highway 59 East.  There are 3 access parking areas for this trail system.  We started from the J.E.M. trailhead, ~ 4.5 miles from the start of SR59 and descended J.E.M. trail.  The first part of this descent is downhill-only until it intersects the Goosebumps/Dead Ringer trails.  We made a loop with Goosebumps, Cryptobionic and ascended to the cowbell via Dead Ringer Trail
• Dead Ringer, JEM, Goosebumps, Cryptobionic, and Cowbell trails are rated as intermediate
• Our loop was ~ 10 miles, but you can ride longer loops

Fred at cowbell at top of Dead Ringer trail climb

Last weekend Fred and I got out of our Boise mountain bike trail comfort zone and rode some Utah trails near Hurricane.  The Boise ride we're used to is a steady gravelly climb up of mostly non-technical trails.  Although this ride was not technical, we found our legs getting adjusted to riding over blocks of limestone and up and down roller-coaster-like arroyos and small hills that ran along the base of towering cliffs and then out into a valley.  These trails were singletrack cruisin' and so fun as to bring a grin to our faces.  Utah bikers must have a "soft tail" or a suspended seat post, we concluded.   But we talked to a few other bikers and they all said they thought their hard tails were actually better.  So, we concluded that our bikes are just fine and we need to get down to Utah for more mountain biking.  The terrain can be challenging and it is so beautiful!

The initial descent down J.E.M. trail that puts you riding alongside a gorge was a little sketchy for me, so I walked a few of the steep switchbacks, while two young and fast kids whizzed past and out of sight (maybe I've seen too many physical therapy patients with broken bones and sprained ligaments as a result of bike crashes!).

Trails from J.E.M.  trailhead (bottom of map) in the Hurricane Rim trail system, near Hurricane, Utah
Our Loop ~ 10 miles (J.E.M., Goosebumps, Cryptobionic, Dead Ringer and More Cowbell trails)

Cryptobionic trail sign and cryptobiotic soil

It seemed fitting that in a sea of cryptobiotic soil we would be riding on Cryptobionic trail.  We admired the "geology-mindedness" and a play on words that the trail builders provided us.  Cryptobiotic soil crusts consist of soil cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses.  In arid areas,  these crusts help prevent soil erosion, increase water infiltration, and are good sources of fixed carbon.  A large percentage of the soil in this trail system had cryptobiotic crusts.  One source I read said that it takes an estimated minimum of 45 years to for damaged cryptobiotic soil in Southern Utah to be restored if crushed.

Dead Ringer trail leading south toward J.E.M. trailhead and cowbell

The cowbell hanging from a post at the top of Dead Ringer trail is within easy reach as you get to the top.  As we took a break at the top, several bikers hit the bell as they rode past it. The story, we heard is that the cowbell was found on/near a cow skeleton while the trails were being built.  At the cowbell, you can keep going to the trailhead or you can take a left and cruise on More Cowbell trail.  Of course, we opted to keep cruisin' on this great trail that traces the edge of the mesa we had just climbed.

Tarantula on gravel road in Snow Canyon State Park

The joy of riding More Cowbell trail and the beautiful single track behind me!

So much to explore in the St. George, Utah area, so little time.  We'll get back on these trails, that's for sure!  Longer loop next time!

Reference:
Belnap, J., Cryptobiotic Soils:  Holding the Place in Place     
https://geochange.er.usgs.gov/sw/impacts/biology/crypto/