Crunch, crunch, crunch. Ah yes, there is snow on the ground, it’s a brisk 34 degrees this morning, and I’m wondering just why in the hell I am up so early in this cold fall weather. It feels like winter but it’s not – the leaves are a shimmering yellow in the morning sun and underneath that inch of snow are more decaying leaves, the last remnants of summer. As frosty and uncomfortable I am in these quasi-winter conditions, I know that at about 600 feet down the hill the trail is going to be that sweet tack-city that we all love, sans snow.
Park City has come very far from its mining and skiing roots. No one really knew it but dedicated trail builders have been passionately adding to the immense trail network in Park City for decades. Most mountain communities have only begun to recognize trail systems and the beneficial impact they have on residents, tourists, and economics. Our trail network is literally huge, spanning hundreds of miles and most of it can literally be accessed without a car. Best of all, it’s free!
Mountain biking in Park City has certainly grown in popularity. The town’s marketing efforts have brought in a myriad of riders. And as Deer Valley and Park City Mountain develop their bike parks we can expect visitations to climb. The trails are mostly smooth ribbons of brown that traverse from Midway to Millcreek Canyon with added flavor from old school hand cut trails and sidewalk-wide machine-built masterpieces. But you already knew all this – I’m here to talk about riding in the fall.
We can probably all agree that winter has come umm… err… late or been non-existent these last few years depending on your definition of snowfall. It is also habit to hang up your bike in the garage and dust off your skis and patiently wait for the lifts to start turning mid-fall. However, depending on the weather and elevation, you can actually access trails in Park City well into November. The fall riding season has been extended and the trails never close. But the town does slow down. The height of the tourist season is mid-summer and as the air starts to get a little crisp, less people come from out of state. This reduced traffic shows on the trails as you can ride uninterrupted for miles. Now this doesn’t permit you to go and get off the “Sickter Scale” either. You should always be cautious of and respectful to others on the trails. The trails go for miles and are often layered with fun, drifty fallen leaves. The air is cool but not cold enough that you won’t need layers once you’re warmed up.
Fall usually means more rain. More rain means more consistent dirt. And more consistent dirt means traction for days. Fall riding is the best as dust is consistently matted back down with a quick spattering of precipitation. Whereas in the summer, the trails can be quite dusty. Above 8,000 feet and the Mid-Mountain Trail it isn’t weird to see snow from a late night storm. And the tacky dirt continues all the way back into town. While tourism slows, Park City does stay alive. And there are deals to be found at the local restaurants and bars.
For those of use on the 9-5 grind, the days are shorter so be prepared to either ride into the night or come up on the weekends to enjoy the trails. And it can be chilly in PC during these fall days. So be prepared. Both White Pine Touring and Jans in Park City carry a full suite of fall and winter riding gear to keep you comfortable.
If you do like to go fast, I would recommend a new personal favorite, Tidal Wave, Deer Valley’s newest flow trail. You can access it from Flagstaff Loop and it makes for a very fun shuttle off of Empire Pass. Do yourself a favor and ride this trail.