There has never been a better time to be a mountain biker in Utah than right now. You can ride hundreds of trails with flow, berms, and not-too-steep climbs. Those trails are fun, sure, but sometimes you just feel like going old school. Sometimes you need to go mountain biking on an obscure, backwoods ride like the Alexander Creek trail.
Alexander Creek is located in Parley’s Canyon and connects Parley’s Summit with Mountain Dell Reservoir. The ride is equal parts double and single track that follows an old road grade and oil pipeline.
THE CLIMB
As a climb, Alexander Creek pretty uninteresting. There are few turns. The double track sections are boring. But the whole five-mile stretch is a great workout. Many sections get steep as the trail goes straight up hillsides as there are no switchbacks. If you’re in the mood to get that heart rate up and sweat out last night’s beer binge, Alexander Creek is a good option.
THE DESCENT
Going back down this trail is far more fun, but still, it’s really nothing but a five-mile long straightaway. The lovers of berms and technical drops will probably hate this ride. But anyone with a need for speed will love bombing down Alexander Creek. There are very few rocks so the whole trail is almost as smooth as a sidewalk. A couple steeper sections can be loose, and there are some small water bars you can use to get air. But overall you can just let the brakes go and see how fast the trail will take you.
ALEXANDER CREEK TRAIL NOTES
Alexander Creek is little known and you won’t find many other mountain bikers riding here. In fact, on a recent fall day I saw mostly orange-clad hunters. The scenery is nice as the trail parallels Parley’s Creek and a tree-filled ravine. As you gain elevation, the grass gets taller and gamble oak becomes the primary vegetation. There are nice views of the mountains and large meadows where you might spot deer or moose.
In summer or fall, the grass can get so tall that it covers the trail completely in spots.
For an out-and-back, turn around at a high point 4.5 miles up where you get a view of Parley’s Summit. To connect Alexander Creek with the Great Western Trail or Moose Hollow in Jeremy Ranch, ride down a ravine and back up until you reach a doubletrack dirt road. Go left on this road for Sheep Trail (GWT) or right to go to Jeremy Ranch via AC’s Rogue/Moose Hollow.
Because the descent is far better than the climb, some people choose to use Alexander Creek as a shuttle ride.
GETTING TO ALEXANDER CREEK TRAIL
To climb Alexander Creek, take I-80 east from Salt Lake City to Parley’s Canyon. From the mouth of the canyon, drive 5.4 miles to the Mountain Dell/SR 65 exit. Get off the interstate and go left (north) toward the golf course. Drive 0.4 mile and park at a pullout area on the right next to a metal gate that says “Authorized Vehicles Only” The dirt road beyond this gate is the start of the ride.
For more trails to ride, check out our Utah Mountain Biking Guide.