Thunder Mountain Trail
This is breathtakingly beautiful scenery and fun single track. It is an advanced trail so we strongly suggest a skilled adult rider from your family or group pre-ride this trail before taking kids along.
We rode the trail as a loop, starting at the lower trailhead and climbing 5 miles up on the paved Red Canyon Trail, then taking the Freemont Trail (fire road 113) to Coyote Hollow to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead.
- Red canyon bike trail – 4.7 miles
- Freemont Trail/ Fire Road 113 – 2.1 miles
- Thunder Mountain trail – 7.9 miles
This loop gives you the majority of elevation gain on paved/ jeep roads. There are a few short climbs on the Thunder mountain trail in this direction, buts it’s mostly swooping downhills.
From the Thunder Mountain parking area, jump on the paved Red Canyon Trail and enjoy a moderate but steady climb for 4.7 miles to the Freemont Trail head. (Note: if you add another 1/4 mile, you’ll reach a gas station – we rode the extra distance for popsicles!)
Look for the Freemont trail – on the left and head down the jeep road to Coyote Hollow. You’ll soon reach the ThunderMountain trail head and the fun will begin in earnest.
The initial 4 miles of singletrack is undulating and winding. The orange “creamsicle” soil is mostly hard-packed. This tail has some unbelievable views along the way. We we happy to stop for breaks to have snacks and drink in the views. One of the most amazing parts of the trail includes a ride along the top of a sharp fin that rises 300 feet from the valley floor below.
The last couple miles flow smoothly through a loosely-spaced forest of long-leaf pine and cedar tress. It’s a great way to end the ride!
Thunder Mountain Trailhead – Getting there:
- Drive east from US-89 on U-12 (about 3 miles)
- Park in the Thunder Mountain parking area on your right, just before the sign for Red Canyon
