Mountain biking near downtown Salt Lake City doesn’t get much closer than Ensign Peak. The ride is a short out-and-back in the foothills above the streets and skyscrapers. Although the trail traverses the peak the ride is named after, it is actually just an extension of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and can be accessed from several trailheads.
In the summer months, Ensign Peak is exposed with furnace-like qualities, only with a single track built in. But if the temperatures are cool, then this portion of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is one that must be ridden again and again.
The most obvious start of the ride begins at City Creek Canyon where other classic rides can also be accessed. The Ensign Peak trail head is located on the west side of the canyon bottom at a sign marking the Nature Preserve. From here, it is all uphill, with heart-pounding steep slogs followed by flat sections that allow the heart-rate to go back down. Then the switchbacks begin, and they are steep, tight and seem to go on forever. But have no fear, this criss-cross gauntlet is the hardest part of the ride. Once on top, there are good views of the Salt Lake Valley as the trail levels off and continues west.
There are two options for riding Ensign Peak. The first is to continue riding to the top of a ridge, then turning left at a fork. This side-trail goes out to a large overlook that takes in a 180 degree view of Salt Lake City far below. It’s a fun place to stop and imagine what the valley looked like before Mormon settlers moved in and built their city. After soaking in the expanse of the Great Basin below, take the same trail back down to the bottom of City Creek for a six-mile ride.
For a longer trip, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail continues west, winding through canyons filled to the brim with scrub oak. Eventually, the single track becomes dirt road used by vehicles that need access to the many radio towers on the hillside above. The riding becomes pretty simple here on out as it features flat traverses through large meadows. After almost 2 miles, the trail reaches the Bountiful neighborhoods which is a good place to turn around for a longer out-and-back.
Hardcore mountain bikers can keep going from here and connect with the Mueller Park Trail via North Canyon.
Any way you slice it, Ensign Peak is a good ride for anyone looking for a killer workout on well maintained single track. Plus, the descent is awesome as those killer switchbacks on the way up become technical hairpin turns n the way down that will test your bike-handling skills.
im pretty sure every time they say west, its actually east, the trail begins on the east side of city creek
No, the Ensign Peak trailhead begins on the west side of City Creek Canyon. The trail on the east side is the City Creek trailhead.