Magnificent Mesas

AM/XC

May-June & Sep.-Oct.

5 Days

Skill

Fitness

Ride Highlights

CAD

$1395

The spectacular riding and scenery of Southwestern Utah
Gooseberry Mesa, one of the world's premier trails
Thunder Mountain, rated the "#1 trail in Utah' to Bike Magazine
Zion National Park
Parry Lodge, home to Hollywood stars!

Out of this world.

That's how people describe the scenery in southwestern Utah. Big, epic sweeping vistas and scenery like nowhere else on the planet, in places like Zion National Park and Gooseberry Mesa. And some of the most jaw-dropping mountain biking anywhere on Earth.

Not as well-known (or as crowded) as its famous cousin Moab to the East, the St. George/Hurricane area nonetheless offers up epic mountain biking on the same scale, with a plethora of big descents from mountain tops down to spectacular valleys. There are several shuttle downhills on this trip, allowing us to pack in an incredible amount and variety of trails into a short trip.

note: this trip runs concurrently with our 11-day Southwest Singletrack trip and follows the first 5 days of the itinerary.

Is This Ride For You?

You love challenging mountain biking, and can handle technical terrain and challenging climbs. You've always wanted to experience Utah mountain biking, and have already been to Moab or would prefer something a bit less crowded. You're happy to let us take care of all the details for you, so you can just show up and ride your brains out. You've been riding for at least 3 years, and can handle rocky terrain and a bit of exposure. You don't mind climbing but enjoy the odd shuttle to get you to the top of a big epic downhill

"Being on a road trip with other bikers from different countries around the world was an amazing experience! The landscape and scenery were awe-inspiring."

Sabine Pabst, GERMANY
"Another unforgettable, brilliant trip on some of the best trails - pushing my skills and riding with great people."

Roddy Beynon, UK
"Hi Mike. I just finished the trip of a lifetime with a crack of dawn descent down Porcupine Rim, and a dropoff at Moab airport. Your staff and partners were beyond exemplary - after only 10 days, I consider them and my trip-mates close friends.I'm not a highly emotional guy, but as I watched the van pull away, I genuinely broke into tears. Thanks, and I can't wait for the next one."

Alex Aruajo
"Overall an excellent trip! The guides were great in adapting the choices to the group. The day was organized perfectly and with the right amount of "take it easy" and not too much hurry (this is good becasue these are vacation for me!) Lodging was great and the food too.

The guides were very good and friendly. They adapted the tour to the group. They helped us to improve our skills with tips and in case of some mechanical issues. These are awesome! I would like to go with Johanna and Ryan on some other trip (BC could be an option next year!)"

Federico Bernasconi, SWITZERLAND
"I had a fantastic trip in Utah! Johanna, Mark, & Ryan were awesome – we did a ton of riding and had an amazing time!!!"

Ken Willoughby, CAN
"The trip was amazing and spectacular and has been my best biking vacation ever!"

Claudio Cominetti, ITALY
"A perfect combination of stunning scenery, fantastic trails, and great company."

Neil Evans, UK
"This was an unforgettable trip. Many thanks to Joahnna and Mark for making it as enjoyable and memorable as possible!"

Pierre St. Onge, CAN

Day 1. Arrive Las Vegas, transfer to St. George

After landing in Las Vegas, take the shuttle to our hotel in St. George and if you have time, relax and enjoy the scenery and sights in this beautiful southwestern town. We'll have a meet and greet dinner at 7 pm at our hotel and discuss the incredible trip ahead.

Day 2. Bear Claw, Gooseberry Mesa

Get ready for a fantastic first day of riding! We'll start off with the fantastic Bear Claw trail, with famous features such as The Three Fingers of Death, Clavicle Hill and the BMX that can be challenging for even expert riders. However, intermediate riders can pick a less technical line and can equally enjoy this trail. The trail only takes about 40 minutes to ride, and often we will do a second shuttle to the top.

In the afternoon, we head to the spectacular Gooseberry Mesa. Gooseberry Mesa is now being mentioned in the same category as the Slickrock Trail and Porcupine Rim in Moab as one of the elite mountain bike trails in the world. Gooseberry is an amazing combination of technical, slick rock ups & downs, and single track. The mesa is only three miles wide and a rough dirt road bisects the mesa. Trails requiring different technical ability loop from the road. (The South Rim loop is more technical than the North Rim loop). Views from the edge of the mesa will take your breath away.

Tonight we stay in Brian Head, near Dixie National Forest.

Day 3. Dark Hollow, Blow Hard, Virgin Rim

We start off the day with a big downhill from the top of Brian Head. Dark Hollow descends a full vertical mile all the way to Parowan. It's a technical ride on bright pink limestone rock, followed by a beautiful forested section at the bottom.

Day 4. Bunker Creek, Thunder Mountain

Two epic trails on the card today. We start off with Bunker Creek, a big downhill just outside of Brian Head. The trail begins atop Brian Head at 11,300 feet and drops to Panguitch Lake, 3000 blissful vertical feet below. Occasionally, there's a little bit of gentle climbing to roll over a small ridge, but in general it's a downhill cruise that's fast, furious, and fairly straight.

After lunch, we'll head over to Thunder Mountain, another one of Utah's well-known epics (rated #1 trail in Utah by Bike Magazine). Thunder Mountain is probably the most scenic trail in Utah. You'll ride through the bright red and pink "hoodoos" unique to the Bryce Canyon area. Although the trail is only eight miles long, often riders take over two hours to ride it because they are off of their bikes taking pictures. One of the most photographed areas is called the "spine" where you ride across a 3 foot wide spine dropping off at 45 degrees on both sides. The last 2 miles of Thunder Mountain is a fun, flowing downhill through the aspens and pines.

After a full day of downhill fun, we'll hop in the van for the drive to Kanab Utah, and Perry Lodge, a historic old-west lodge where many of Hollywood's most famous stars have stayed. If you're lucky, maybe you'll get John Wayne's room, or Frank Sinatra's!

Day 5. Zion National Park, Little Creek Mesa, JEM Trail

We'll start our last day off with a bang, getting up early to catch the early morning light in Zion National Park. One of the first national parks in Utah - and one of the U.S.A.'s most spectacular - Zion's beauty leaves visitors breathless and speechless. Known for its canyons, Zion offers up one of North America's premier hiking experiences. We'll take a couple of hours off the bikes this morning to explore this beautiful area before heading back to town for breakfast and a full last day of riding.

Little Creek is another of the spectacular mesa-top trails in the St. George area, with views on all sides what will get your cameras working overtime. It's a mix of winding singletrack through pine forest and slickrock, practically in the middle of nowhere. The feeling of serenity and solitude you'll get on this trail add up to a whole lot of bliss.

We'll top off an incredible trip with JEM trail, with spectacular Views of the chasm of the Virgin River and a high-speed singletrack descent.

After we're done wiping the drool off our chins and high-fiving each other for a job well done, we'll hop in the van for the drive back to St. George and our final dinner. You may choose to stay in St. George tonight or catch a shuttle back to Las Vegas.

Flights

The closest international airport is in Las Vegas, Nevada (airport code: LAS). You will need to then get to St. George, Utah (see below), an easy shuttle trip away.

Please note: we do not book flights for our clients. Please contact your local travel agent for information on booking flights for this trip.

Getting to the Trip Starting Point

This trip starts in St. George, Utah and ends in either St. George (for people wanting to extend their trip) or Las Vegas. Please see the schedule page for the exact trip start and end dates/times for your particular trip. Unless otherwise stated, you will be meeting your guides at the Hampton Inn restaurant at 7 pm on your trip start date (see below for information on booking accommodation at the Hampton Inn). If you can't meet us at 7pm on day 1, please meet your guides at breakfast in the hotel restaurant at 8am.

St George is a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas. To get to St. George, take the one of the shuttles below. Cost is $29 USD. The shuttle can take you directly to the Hampton Inn in St. George, our lodge for the first 4 nights of the trip.

Shuttle links: http://www.stgshuttle.com | http://www.stgeorgeexpress.com

Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Accommodation

If you want to arrive early and spend a day or two in the St. George area, or stay later, visit the Hampton Inn website to book your additional nights of accommodation.

Trip End Information

On the last day, we will be arriving at the Hampton Inn in St. George at approximately 6 pm. You may catch a shuttle back to Las Vegas with one of the shuttle companies (links above), or spend the night in St. George (not included).

To make a reservation at the Hampton Inn please visit the Hampton Inn website.

Trip Cancellations

You may cancel your reservation with no penalty within 7 days of booking. After the first week, our cancellation policy is as follows:

-60 days notice or more: $250 cancellation fee per person, or $100 transfer fee if you transfer to another trip
-30-60 days notice: $500 cancellation fee per person, or $250 transfer fee if you transfer to another trip
-less than 30 days notice: the full trip price is forfeited.

Please note that our cancellation policy is strict, and we ask that you do not request an exception to our policy. For this reason we strongly urge you to purchase affordable trip cancellation insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage, is compulsory for all our tours. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance that includes cancellation protection so that you will be covered in the event that you are unable to attend our tour (due to injury, illness or other unforeseen circumstances) or in the unlikely event that our tour must be cancelled.

You can purchase discounted comprehensive insurance via our site at our insurance page

What type of bike should you bring?

We recommend you bring a solid all-mountain bike with you on this trip, with at least 4-5" of travel, and no heavier than 30 pounds since there are several long climbs. A bike with at least 2 chainrings up front is mandatory, as is front suspension.

Spare Parts for your Bike

Although there are some parts available locally, we recommend you bring the following parts and gear with you to avoid problems in case of breakdown or broken parts:

rear derailleur hanger (at least 1, preferably 2)
extra set of front and rear brake pads
extra chain if your chain is more than 6 months old
4 tubes
4 extra spokes
shock pump
chain lube
multipurpose tool for trailside repair (including chain break)

Bike Rentals

If you don't feel like hauling your bike to Utah, an alternative is renting a bike. We offer Kona Dawg full-suspension bikes for rent for $30/day. These are quality full-suspension bikes, but if you want a higher-end bike, we recommend arranging a rental through one of the stores in St. George:

Red Rock Bicycle Company

Bicycles Unlimited

Travelling with your bike

If you've never traveled with your bike, don't worry - it's much easier than you think! If you don't have a case for your bike, we recommend one of two options:

1) if you think you may be travelling more than once with your bike, then we recommend purchasing a purpose-made bike bag. This will protect your bike from damages, and makes shlepping your bike around a little bit easier than with a rigid box or cardboard box. We sell beautiful handmade bags by PikaPackworks in the United States. For more information, visit our online store.

2) If you think this is the only trip you'll take with your bike for a while, then you can pick up a cardboard travel box for your bike at your local store. Some stores will also pack your bike up for you for a fee.

Assembling your bike when you arrive

We have bike stands and a full toolset available for assembling your bike once we arrive in St. George.

Packing List

comfortable clothes for riding, such as biking jerseys and padded shorts. 2+ sets are ideal, 1 is a must.
helmet
bike gloves (2 sets is ideal)
lightweight, weather-resistant outerwear for riding in inclement weather.
warm clothing such as sweaters and fleece jackets and pants for nighttime.
swimwear
sunglasses/eye protection for sunny and/or muddy days.
hydration system that can carry at least 2 litres (bottles and/or Camelbak)
toiletries i.e. toothbrush, shampoo, soap
towel
camera
sunscreen and insect repellent

Passports & Visas

All travelers require a valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity). Citizens of some countries will also require a visa. For more information, please contact your local U.S. embassy, or passport office.

Emergency Contact

If you need to contact us in an emergency, you can reach us during office hours at the following numbers:

Dialing within North America: 1 (888) 423-7849
Dialing outside of North America: +1 (647) 999-7955
If you feel that you need to contact us outside of office hours, our Utah office can be contacted at 1-800-860-6460.

If you do not receive an immediate answer when calling the above numbers, please leave us a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Health Requirements

Vaccinations are not required for the United States, and the U.S. has an excellent healthcare systems. Should you experience illness or injury while in the United States, rest assured that you will receive the best care possible.

Fitness Requirements

You should have a moderately high level of fitness and be able to bike for up to four hours a day in order to fully enjoy the spectacular scenery and riding on this trip. This is one of our most challenging trips, and you need to be prepared.

We recommend you train in advance of this trip, in order to get the most out of this trip. We offer a pre-trip training program, designed by two of our most experienced instructors in Ontario - for more information, visit http://sacredrides.com/pre-trip-training

Safety & Security

To maximize your safety during our tours you should exercise common sense and caution at all times. We recommend that you always stick to set travel arrangements, and avoid unknown areas. We also recommend that you wear minimal jewelry and that you keep valuable items safely stored. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline tickets, travelers checks and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals.

Meals

On this trip, all breakfasts and lunches are included in the trip price. Dinners can be taken in local restaurants or you can use the kitchens at our lodges when available (from past experience, most groups decide together whether they will eat out or stay in on a particular night). You should budget $10 US per meal prepared in-kitchen, or $15-$20 per dinner in local restaurants (depending on the quality of restaurants you choose).

Other expenses

Aside from meals, there are no required additional expenses for this trip, but you might like to take spending money for such things as souvenir shopping, nightlife and Internet cafes. The easiest way to deal with spending money is to withdraw money from an ATM/bank machine, which are readily available.

Currency

The U.S. dollar (USD) is the currency of the U.S. For the latest currency exchange information use the Yahoo! Currency Exchange Calculator

Laundry

Many of the lodges and hotels on this trip have laundry service, and there are laundromats available in most of the towns where we are staying.

Internet

All of the towns where we are staying have internet cafés and many of the hotels have their own internet service.

Tipping

Gratuities of 10-20% are common in the United States. We encourage you to tip your guides if you feel you have received excellent service and have had an enjoyable trip. A typical gratuity is $20-$100 per guide.

Useful Links

For additional information about traveling in Utah and Las Vegas, visit:
Tourism Utah website
Visit Las Vegas

Our Guarantee

We're so sure you'll have an amazing time on this trip that we're offering a satisfaction guarantee. View more information about our guarantee.

Mark Erickson

Driver.

Johanna Weintrager

Lead Guide and Lead Instructor.

Johanna is our lead guide and coach for B.C, Utah, Mexico and Patagonia. After learning to ride on the North Shore of Vancouver and in Whistler in early 2000, she has been coaching since 2003 after racing elite DH and XC and guiding since 2007. Living in Fernie for the last 5 years, she's blessed with amazing local trails as well as traveling and riding all over North America. Johanna is Certified by CMIC, Endless Biking, NCCP, Yoga Alliance, Sports Nutrition, Advanced Wilderness First Aid, she also teaches yoga and surfing in Mexico and Patagonia as well as Essential Yoga Studio in Fernie.