The Mueller Park Trail in the hills above Bountiful is one of the most classic mountain bike rides in the Northern Wasatch. The easy access, ample parking, and one of the best maintained trails around makes Mueller Park the ideal ride for beginners or advancing intermediates. Hell, even experts will have fun dive-bombing down when the trail isn’t too crowded. The ride can be split up into two sections: the easy, 7-mile out-and-back to Big Rock, and the more technical and rocky upper trail that ends at Rudy’s Flat. You can just do the first for a short ride, or tackle the entire trail length for a good cardio workout.
Start Point: Mueller Park Trailhead – 5,230 feet
High Point: Rudy’s Flat 7,185 feet
Trail Distance: 12.25 miles
Trail Time: 2 hours
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Best Season: Summer/Fall
Getting There: From Salt Lake City, drive north on I-15 and exit at 2600 South at Bountiful/Woods Cross. Go right and head east on 2600 South. After a few blocks, the road curves north and becomes Orchard Drive. Follow Orchard to 1800 South, and turn right (east.) Follow 1800 South all the up the hill into it ends at Mueller Park. There is a few parking spaces at the trailhead, but additional parking is in the neighborhood right outside the park entrance. The ride begins at a wooden bridge that crosses the stream.
The Ride: Bike across the wood bridge over Mill Creek and begin pedaling up through lush pine forests. After a few switchbacks on perfectly smooth singletrack, the route opens up, providing views of the Great Salt Lake and the city of Bountiful nestled in the Wasatch foothills. The riding soon levels out as it winds through small side-canyons and drainages that provide shade on hot days.
Overall, the beginning of the ride is pretty easy and great for beginners as the dirt track is buffed out to a fine, level smoothness from thousands of bike tires rolling through over the years. For newbies or anyone looking for a short, seven-mile ride, Big Rock (known by some locals as Elephant Rock) is a popular turnaround point at an elevation of 6,255 feet. There is a bench located above the rock formation where one can take a breather before descending or continuing on up the mountain.
From Big Rock, the Mueller Park Trail becomes more technical, but not overly difficult. Steep sections on loose rock and roots may challenge intermediates, but it’s nothing to write home about. The climb goes for another six miles before terminating at Rudy’s Flat. To return, simply turn around the ride Mueller Park Trail all the way back down.
The downhill is pretty spectacular as that buffed out singletrack on the up becomes a speedy track on the down. Plant growth on the trail sides will make you wish for metal gloves as branches scrape by, and vigilance is necessary when dropping over rocks and crossing narrow bridges. There are also a lot of other bikers and hikers with dogs on the trail, so slow down on those blind, hairpin turns.
The Mueller Park Trail is almost 2,000 vertical feet over 12 miles with a long season from April to November and is just minutes from the Wasatch Front’s metro area. It’s no wonder that the ride remains among the most well-known in Utah’s mountain biking community.