Mountain bikers like loops. Something in a gearhead’s DNA must get them excited about being able to start and end a ride in the same place. Well, the Hurricane Rim Loop is a nice, long loop that tours a wide range of singletrack options in the area by combining three popular trails into a single ride. While it’s not exactly a dream loop, it’ll satisfy your there-and-back-again tendencies.
Goulds Rim Trail, JEM Trail and Hurricane Rim Trail are the routes that link together just east of Hurricane to create a 22 mile, challenging day. First, you get to enjoy Goulds, a flowing, fast and fun singletrack romp that skirts a canyon’s edge while throwing in some think-on-your-feet rocky sections, tight switchbacks, and even some dirt jumps for good measure. Next, you bomb down JEM Trail, one of the premiere and popular rides in all of southwest Utah. Finally, near the bottom of JEM, you head west on the Hurricane Rim Trail where rocky singletrack slowly ascends then sharply descends back to the beginning while views of the Virgin River Gorge provide a red rock backdrop to the ride.
You begin at the parking lot near the cell phone tower on Highway 59 above town. Ride you bike just .2 miles down the paved road until you see a dirt road climb sharply up. Pedal up the road for almost two miles where the Goulds Rim Trail appears on the right. Now the fun begins. Goulds stretches through the desert for nine miles as it weaves through brush and drainages before crossing the highway to the JEM trailhead.
JEM Trail is the highlight of the loop. Five miles of the most giddy-inducing downhill in Hurricane descends to the Virgin River Gorge on perfect singletrack, briefly interrupted by a short, technical section best walked by all but the most skilled or brave riders. Pay attention though, because the turnoff to the Hurricane Rim Trail is easily missed when you’re cruising so fast. In fact, last time we rode the loop, we almost made it to the bottom of JEM before realizing our mistake… we were just having too much fun on JEM and were disappointed to leave it for the rocky traverse ahead.
Hurricane Rim Trail comes at mile 14, where a left turn leads to short climbs, teeth-chattering lava rocks, and gorgeous vistas. Honestly, there isn’t much to say about the Hurricane Rim Trail other than it’s a bad way to end an otherwise awesome ride, especially if it’s hot outside and you’re tired. But ride you must, for seven more miles, as it’s the only way back to the car.
There are many other options on these trails, such as out-and-backs on JEM and Goulds, shuttling from JEM to Hurricane Rim, or bypassing lesser trails for a single, whooping quickie on JEM. Either way, figuring out a way create a nice, long ride on southern Utah’s singletrack is a killer way to spend the day.
To get there, drive to Hurricane, follow the signs, and go south in town on Highway 59. Follow the road uphill for a mile and you’ll see the dirt parking lot on the left, marked by a giant cell phone tower. Park here and begin the ride as described above.