Day 8 : St George (Little Creek Mtn & Slick Rock Swamp

Day 8 : St George (Little Creek Mtn & Slick Rock Swamp - MTB ride)

Today I had arranged to meet up with Rick (Who I'd met on a previous trip to Utah) and some of his friends to ride over at Little Creek Mountain. I drove over to Rick's place and we loaded the bikes onto his SUV and drove over to the Little Creek Gas station to meet the others.

Little Creek Mesa mountain biking singletrack

From where we parked the cars we rode up to the start of the big loop. Near the start of the big loop trail we stopped and looked at some rock art.

From the rock art we continued along the big loop, The temperature was quite cold at the start of the ride.

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The trail was a great mix of singletrack and slickrock.

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We rode out on the big loop heading east, there were quite a few wide open sections on slick rock where the path was marked with little rock piles.

I much prefer Little Creek to Goosebury Mesa, there is far more flowing singletrack to ride here. Riding with company was good too, and the pace was nice and mellow.

After the slick rock areas, the trail came along side the rim, the views were great , and the trail narrowed to singletrack. With great views as we rode along the rim edge.

Little Creek Mesa mountain biking singletrack Video (9MB)

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The Hot Tub

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Bobbie had the only puncture of the ride as we headed away from the rim, which we were able to repair using my tubeless repair kit. By now the air had warmed up and it was perfect riding conditions.

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At the point where the North loop trail connected back onto trails heading back to he parking area, the ladies we were riding with said goodbye as they had things they had to get done back in town. Me and Rick continued riding NE towards the point. There were a few unofficial signs in place , that weren't there the last time I had ridden in this area.

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The trail again headed along the edge of the rim and the views were great, and the trail its self was fun tight singletrack. With loose rocks that made clinking noises as you rode over them.

The trail headed away from the rim edge and onto more open slick rock areas, my chain decided to get all caught up around the chainset. Rick managed to un stick it for me with his full finger gloves.

As long as you remember to stop and look behind you there are great views of Zion in the background as you ride Little Creek. Heading back from the point the trail broke out onto wide open areas of slick rock which we headed up, only occasionally getting lost as we missed the cairns.

Our trip was relatively accident free apart from Rick banging his knee on his stem, whilst climbing up a a particularly steep section of slick rock.

The open slick rock areas came to an end near a pond and we climbed back up towards the start of the trail

We took a short diversion when we were back near the parking area to look at some big rock art panels.

Apparently the pile of rubble in this picture is the remains of an Indian Hogi

Back at rick's SUV , the bike speedo said we had ridden 16 miles, we packed up and headed back down the dirt road we had driven up to get here

We stopped at the Little Creek Station and had some great Burgers before we drove over the to The Slick Rock swamp trail.

We didn't park down at the lower car park, but instead found a place to park higher up the road (be careful if you do this as you can end up getting your car clamped or towed away by the residents) . And set off on the trail. To the right is a picture of the swamp the trail is named after.

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The trail had more technical sections than Little Creek , but most of it was do-able even for me. The views of Zion were pretty good as well.

Rick knew the trails very well and I think we managed to ride all the loops , and they flowed quite nicely.

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When we arrived back at the road Rick suggested I should take the singletrack back down to the main road, and he would meet me there in the SUV.

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The trail back down was nice and fast with just a couple of small ups as it climbed back out of the wash. It was very good of Rick to let me have this down hill without having to climb up in the first place.

Back at rick's SUV we loaded my bike and then headed back to St George, Rick suggested that I should have dinner with him and his girlfriend so we went to the Texas Roadhouse restaurant. I had a 16oz rib eye steak, rice ,broccoli & carrots which was very good. It was great to have come good company in the evening, rather than being back at my hotel eating on my own.

The Slickrock swamp trail was great fut with nice view's of some of the Zion Peaks. The trail itself was a bit more technical than Little Creek, but still flowed nicely.

DAY 9