Hurricane, a small town in southwestern Utah, has quickly become one of the fastest-growing mountain bike destinations in the state, if not the country. Longtime classics like Gooseberry Mesa have drawn riders for decades, but new trail development and exploration into untracked areas like Little Creek Mesa has vaulted Hurricane into a Moab or Park City status. I got to sample a small taste of Little Creek on a group ride with Over the Edge Sports as part of the Hurricane Mountain Bike Festival.
Little Creek is very similar to the riding at Gooseberry Mesa, but vastly more complex. Quentin Morisette, co-owner of Over the Edge Sports, says that if Gooseberry is a roller coaster ride, then Little Creek is the entire amusement park. The routes of singletrack and slickrock flow over vast, complex terrain that is unmarked except for cairns in key places. There are no painted lines, so signs, and no official trailhead. If you’ve never been to Little Water before, then joining a guided group ride or hanging with someone who knows the area is a must.
On the final day of the Hurricane MTB Fest, riders converged on Little Creek to explore Magic Carpet Ride to the Point Loop and back. The ride alternates from slickrock sections to buff singletrack that meanders through juniper and pines. One of the best aspects of Little creek is how you can make it as easy or difficult as you’d like. Countless route variations are possible where you can play around on slickrock features. Side-hilling, big air, and even rolling through natural half pipes are all possible here. And if you don’t have the gumption to drop off ledges, there’s always an easier way down.
At the end of the ride on the point, massive views of southwestern Utah emerge, framed by Gooseberry Mesa and Zion National Park. It’s a super place to relax, have a bite to eat, and soak in the landscape.
So is Little Creek a better version of Gooseberry? You bet it is. After just one ride that barely scratched the surface of possibility on the mesa, there is no doubt I will be back with the guys and gals from Over The Edge Sports to explore more slickrock and singletrack on two wheels.
To ride Little Creek, first visit Over The Edge Sports in Hurricane. Located at 100 South 76 East, this gem of a bike shop is run by very knowledgable people who can set you up with a local guide to take you there.