Desert Southwest Singletrack | Utah

This trip starts and ends in the quaint town of Hurricane, Utah. You can get here by flying to Las Vegas and taking a shuttle or you can fly directly to the St George Airport. Check out the “Trip Details” and “Destination Info” tabs for the full trip logistics and information. Once you arrive and get settled in, join the group to build bikes and get to know one another.

After you’re unpacked and settled into your space for the trip, the group will meet outside for some beverages, snacks, and a meet and greet. We’ll review the incredible weeks itinerary, build our bikes, and enjoy some local beverages and pizza. We’ll have tools, pumps, and extra hands for anyone needing assistance assembling their bikes.

Head to bed early for a good night’s sleep and get ready for the amazing adventure ahead!

Kick off your morning with breakfast overlooking the canyon outside our hotel, or head to the nearby bakery for coffee and a breakfast sandwich. At 8:30am, we’ll load up our private shuttle van and transfer to the bike shop in Hurricane to pick up bikes for those who have rented.

This morning we’ll head to the famous Gooseberry Mesa and kick off our trip riding the Wire Mesa loop. This newer trail is an intermediate loop with fun flowy segments speckled with really fun, technical slickrock sections…the perfect warm up to southern Utah mountain biking.

After our ride, we'll have a picnic lunch near the trailhead then head down the road to ride, what Bike Magazine voted as one of flowiest trails in America – the JEM trail. This trail network has a variety of options, so we’ll pick one of our favorites, and show you why this trail is such an awesome topper to the day.

We’ll return to our accommodations for the evening to relax and get ready for tomorrow.

Important Note: Anyone who wishes to drive themselves to/from the trails, may load up in their own vehicle and follow our shuttle van each day.

After breakfast, join the group and travel to Little Creek Mesa for a full day of riding.

Boasting 20+ miles of technical slickrock and singletrack, Little Creek Mesa Trail will not disappoint. This area is known for its rich history as well as its archaeological significance. It’s also known for being an area where riders getting lost on their ride! There’s something magical about riding a trail that is off the beaten track, hard to find, and hard to follow - and our Guides know it like the back of their hand (BTWs!).

We’ll follow cairns through this incredible canyon ride with incredible views towards Gooseberry Mesa and the Pine Valley Mountains. We'll stop for a lunch break mid-trail, as this epic ride is known to take anywhere from 4-6 hours. Then we’ll continue our journey through the historical lands of the Virgin Anasazi as we loop our way back to the start, where cold beverage will be waiting for trailhead celebrations.

We’ll return to our accommodations for the evening to relax and get ready for tomorrow.

After breakfast, we’ll hit the road and head to the world class trail network of Gooseberry Mesa. We’ll spend the whole day riding one of Southern Utah’s best mountain bike trail systems. Fun technical climbs, epic slickrock descents and views that will leave you wanting more!

This is a big day, so we’ll take our lunch with us on the trail. We’ll plan to be out riding for 5-6 hours and have lunch at an incredible point along the trail with amazing views. Note: There is an option for some of the group to ride a shorter loop and the rest of the group to ride the full big day option.

After this amazing day out on the trail, we’ll head back to the van for an ice-cold beverage, fist bumps (or elbow taps) and relish in the amazing day we just shared! If time and weather allow, the group will ride a new selection of trails in the fun and flowy JEM trail network on the way back to town.

Head back to the hotel for some much-needed R&R and get ready for another extraordinary day of riding tomorrow!

Rise and shine for an early breakfast in your room or at the nearby coffee shop. After breakfast, we’ll meet our shuttle driver and hit the road for one last day of excellent riding.

We’ll spend the majority of our day riding the spectacular Guacamole Trail: a super fun mix of undulating open-rock riding plus singletrack through juniper and brush. This epic trail system is filled with jaw-dropping views of Zion National Park and tons of rock features to play on and test your skills.

After our ride, we’ll head down the hill for a picnic lunch at a local park near Zion, one of the first national parks in Utah. Then we’ll head into the park for an afternoon of hiking. Zion's beauty leaves visitors breathless. Known for its canyons, Zion offers up one of North America's premier hiking experiences.

We’ll top off this incredible day with a short hike to a lookout where we’ll take in the amazing grandeur of this spectacular place. Then we’ll head back to town and stop by the bike shop in Hurricane to drop off bikes (for those who rented) and return to our hotel by early evening.

Tonight, we’ll get together for a final group dinner. Raise a glass, share photos and stories, and soak up the amazing life of the desert southwest!

Rise and shine for your last breakfast overlooking the desert. High five (air fives of course!) your new riding pals and say your goodbyes until next time.

Thanks for riding southern Utah with us! We hope to ride with you again…

• 4 days of guided mountain biking on the Hurricane area's best trails
• 5 nights private accommodation
• Private transportation
• Hike and Entrance Fees to Zion National Park
• 4 lunches, 1 bike building pizza dinner with beverages
• An ice cold microbrew and/or other beverages provided each day
• Bike tools and maintenance kit provided for the group as needed
• Ride with Certified Guides and Professional MTB Coaches

• Gratuities for guides and activities: Although tipping is completely up to your discretion, it is customary to provide gratuity for guides and drivers. A typical gratuity for your expert mountain bike guides is 5-10% of your trip cost per person and 2-5% for drivers. This may be given to the lead guide on your trip or to each person individually.


• Airport shuttles: See the Arrival/Departure Info below for ride start and end times and locations. There are no shuttles included in this itinerary. An airport shuttle may be reserved for pick up or drop off from St George Airport (SGU) for $45/person (each way).


• Equipment rentals (bike, helmet, other gear, etc.)


• Food & beverages not included in the itinerary: Breakfast, dinner & extra beverages are not included in this package.
  Note: Breakfast is not included in this trip. Each lodging unit has a kitchenette with a coffee maker and fridge and other amenities. Riders may bring prepferred breakfast supplies to have in their room, or there is a coffee shop/bakery next door with full breakfast options. The grocery store is 5 minutes away and guides will happily provide a ride for those who arrive without a vehicle.
  
  Additionally, riders are responsible for their own dinners and any beverages. Some lunches will include non-alcoholic drinks, but specialty drinks and extras should be placed on your own tab. We provide post ride celebratory beverages (usually that means a locally made cold beer!) but anything outside of that is not included. Although our guides will have some snacks and drinks available, it is highly recommended that each rider bring a full supply of ride snacks and electrolyte replacements.


• International/Domestic Airfare


• Trip Insurance: Note that trip insurance is required for all riders on any Ride the Earth tour. You must provide proof of policy prior to departure. We have partnered with World Nomads to provide you with affordable trip insurance. Click HERE to view our trip insurance page to choose and purchase your policy.

• King Room Add On w/ Private Bath: $900 per person


• Airport Shuttle from St George Airport: $45 per person


• High End Full Suspension MTB Rental: $495 per person


• Mid-Range Full Suspension MTB Rental: $395 per person


• Custom Add On: Arriving early or staying longer after your ride? Contact our team to design your additional travel days. Our team specializes in custom tour packages both on and off the bike. We’d love to show you more great places to explore in our selected destinations. Cost varies per package.


• Couples Getaway Add On: This customized add on is a great addition to any of our bike tours. Sign up your partner as a couples add on and we’ll provide a private guide to show them the other great stuff to do at your destination of choice. Whether they want to practice their skills on a bike or spend their time exploring other non-biking activities, we’ll make sure they have an excellent experience paralleling your mountain biking vacation. Cost varies per package.

The following outlines the fitness and skill required for this specific itinerary. If you have questions about your ability level, email us or schedule a call back and we’ll answer all your questions and help get you booked on the tour that matches your skill and fitness levels.

Skill Level - Intermediate+ (Blue & Black Trails): You have a strong understanding and practice with the skills of braking, shifting, cornering and descending. You are able to navigate variable terrain at a good pace. You are confident and comfortable riding singletrack trails and can easily navigate roots, rocks, mud, sand and creek crossings. You are capable of a front wheel and rear wheel lift and can put the two together to navigate over obstacles. You are fairly confident on steep climbs and descents, but you may walk sections on trails that are rated Black or Double Black.

Fitness Level - 4/7: You have moderately strong mountain bike fitness. You bike or exercise 3-4 times per week all year long for at least 2-3 hours per session. You are comfortable biking for 2-3 hours at a strong pace and 4-6 hours with some stopping or at a slower pace. You can comfortably ride 5 days back-to-back with climbing of up to 1500ft per day.

This trip starts in Hurricane, UT with a 4pm check in at our private lodging. On day one, there are no scheduled activities until early evening to allow time for all the riders to arrive and get settled in. We will meet the group with beverages and pizza on the patio at 6:00pm for a welcome meeting.

Arrival Day: On day one, there are no scheduled activities until early evening to allow time for all the riders to arrive and get settled in. We will meet the group with beverages and pizza on the patio at 6:00pm for a welcome meeting.

Departure Day: Enjoy a relaxing morning prior to the scheduled check out at 11am. There are no rides scheduled this day.

• The accommodation for the Desert Southwest Singletrack trip is at a private home. All king rooms (with the king room upgrade) have their own private bathroom. This shared living experience will provide an incredible group experience for everyone to enjoy in each other's company while still having the space to relax and get some privacy.


• Check in time: No earlier than 3:00pm. Detailed check in instructions will be provided after confirmation of your booking.


• Meals: Lunches are provided each day and are listed on the trips detailed itinerary as (B, L, and/or D) at the end of each day’s description. Be sure to provide your dietary preferences so we can accommodate any special requests.

• Packing for traveling can be overwhelming and when you add a bike it can quickly become a lot of stuff. Trust us, we know. Each of our rides has a packing list specific to the destination. Below are the links to the packing list for each destination as well as a link to a fun video we made to show you proper techniques for packing your bike for travel. Still have questions? Schedule a call back and our team will gladly walk you through the process and answer any questions
• Click HERE for Utah packing list.
• Click HERE for bike packing video

By Air:The closest airport to the trip starting point is the St George Airport (SGU). Flights arrive daily from destinations all over the US. You may also fly into Las Vegas, which is a 2 hour drive via shuttle or rental car.

By Shuttle: If you fly into St George Airport, we can provide you with a shuttle for $45 (one way). You can choose this as an add on during the booking process or contact our team directly to make arrangements. Uber services are also avaialble in the St George area.

Shuttle Services from Las Vegas to St George (2 hours):
St George Shuttle

Shuttle Services from Salt Lake City to St George (4 hours):
St George Shuttle

Car Rental: Many car rental agencies are available in the surrounding areas if you choose to fly into St George, Las Vegas, or Salt Lake.

All international travelers require a current passport that is valid 6 months after your return date in order to enter the country. Citizens of some countries will require a visa with customs approvals in needed in advance. For more information pertaining to your nationality, check with your local embassy or passport office for detailed travel requirements.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All travellers entering the United States are currently required to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of entering the country. If you are coming from out of the country, ensure that you know all the current regulations prior to travel. You may also go to the US Department of State Website for detailed travel information.

It is best to travel with local currency while traveling. We recommend exchanging a small amount of money in the airport upon arrival and then using ATMs for more cash. Most all businesses accept credit cards, so you don’t have to carry too much on any given day. For guests arriving from the US or Canada, all major credit cards are accepted at most locations and ATMs are readily available.

It is important that all riders contact their personal physician and/or public health office prior to traveling. These resources can provide you with the proper recommendations for your personal health needs regarding vaccinations, medications and general travel health information. You may also go to the CDC Website for detailed travel health information.

There are no vaccinations currently required for entry into the United States. Travelers arriving from yellow fever risk areas may be asked to provide proof of a current Yellow Fever vaccination.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All travellers entering the United States are currently required to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of entering the country. If you are coming from out of the country, ensure that you know all the current regulations prior to travel. You may also go to the CDC Website for detailed travel health information.

In general, the food and water are safe to drink in the United States.

Note that trip insurance is required for all riders on any Ride the Earth tour. You must provide proof of policy prior to departure. We have partnered with World Nomads to provide you with affordable trip insurance. Click HERE to view our trip insurance page to choose and purchase your policy.

In general, you can expect warm sunny days in Utah. Typical Spring/Fall temperatures range from 75-85F (25-30C) during the day and dropping to 45-55F (7-13C) in the evenings. You will need quick drying biking clothes for each day, and it is also recommended to bring a jacket with you. Sudden changes in weather can occur and all riders must be prepared. Refer to the suggested packing list for detailed information on what to bring. You will also be able to leave items in our van each day so you can have back up supplies if needed throughout the day.

Yes, it is very dry and hot in Utah. We recommend all riders should be prepared to carry 2-3L of water on them each day.

Our crew will have some snacks available, however, it is up to each participant to provide their own personal snacks and electrolyte replacement tabs or chews while riding. There are stores in Moab where these can be purchased upon arrival if you choose not to bring them in your luggage.

The first and last day of riding will be about 3-4 hours of total ride time. The days in between are long full days of riding where you can exepct to spend 4-6 hours on your bike. There will be ample time for breaks and the trip is designed to keep you going from start to finish, as long as your skill and fitness match the recommended levels for this specific trip.

All of our trips can cater to most dietary needs, however, make sure you tell us in advance so our team can be properly prepared. We will provide you with forms to fill out prior to travel that will allow you the opportunity to notify us of any dietary needs or allergies.

Once you’re in Hurricane, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from that cater to special dietary needs. If you are vegan or have strict dietary needs, you may want to go to the organic food store in St George to purchase some supplementary items for yourself. There is also a refrigerator in your room to allow for storage of any special items you may want to have on hand.

Our guides will be there to help you build your bike at the start of the trip and pack it up at the end. We will have tools available and we’re very experienced in assembling and packing bikes. We’ll gladly give you tips and help you out during the process.