Tuesday, May 1, 2012

St George Mountain Biking Dino Cliffs/ Grapevine

Church Rocks is just North of St. George Utah.  It is an intermediate kids trail.  Although this trail could be rated a much more difficult trail, There are several reasons why it is a great trail for kids with some experience.   While riding on the trail it is very easy to see difficulty sections approaching and it is very easy to get off and walk.  Kids do not have any element of surprise along this trail, you can see it all.   Anything my kids (7 Yrs & 10 Yrs) didn't think they could ride, they got off their bikes and walked.   Both our kids love this trail.  It is full of huge lizards, great views, and slick rock. The trails is a 1.8 mile loop. 

Tips and Tricks
  • Take a treat to eat on the slick rock.
  • The trail is crazy in the first section, take your time.
  • Have the kids walk if they need to, don't make them ride any part of the trail.
  • If you don't want to bike it, you can hike it.
  • Take plenty of water.
  • This trail is warm in April, I wouldn't do it with kids in the summer months.
  • Stop and play on the slick rock hill 1/2 through. 
  • Make a plan to go to lunch or dinner after your ride.  Someplace the kids love
 Exit on the Washington Parkway, and you will come to a round about with a Mavrick on the south side. 
 Take the third exit on the round about, the one that heads North, and looks like a dead end.  You are at the trail head.

 Just west of that parking area is the trail head.  Hikers and bikers use this trail all year round.

 You pass under TWO tunnels that go under I-15

 The trail goes under the freeway, is almost always covered in water, and a green slime that is very slippery!  Be very careful riding over this green stuff!!!
The trail then heads up a nice pavement incline, and through some steep switch back.  This is the biggest incline of the whole trail.


 You will come to several "Step Over" gate, and a map of the trail.


 Make sure you take a look at the map so you know specifically where you are going.

 The trail heads up a nice dirt road. The views from here are amazing! 
 There are several slick rock areas along the trail.  We love to get up on this one and bike around while our kids catch lizards.

 The wind is always blowing on top of this slick rock bluff, I decided to bring a kite! I had fun flying it, but the kids were more interested in stuffing rocks in their pockets and chasing lizards.  More time for me!
You can either fly a kite, or test your biking skills on the steep slick rock. 
 The next part of the trail is a quick steep up hill, and then a steep down hill. At the bottom you hit sand.
 The trail spits into a "Y" where you go right and stay in the sand and go back under the bridge and back to the cars. OR you can go left and there is more slick rock and the start of Church Rocks Trail.  You actually are at the end of the Chruch Rocks out and back trail.
 Most of Church Rocks is fun and technical slick rock.

When you get to the bottom of the canyon there is a tunnel that goes under the freeway.
The tunnel is so fun, and the highlight of the trip!!! It is dark, and can be scary.  Just go slow and take your time.  Keep your eyes focused on the light at the end.
Once you get through, make your way south on the dirt road back to your car!

Enjoy!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment