Intense riding close to downtown
Info
Beginning on Turtle Road above the red cliffs north of St. George, the City Creek trail offers some rocky options before it drops down and crosses the road, to become the Rusty Cliffs Trail. The combined trail makes a 6-mile (each way) out-and-back with about 300 vertical feet of climbing. Most of the trail is intermediate technical, with an advanced technical optional side loop on City Creek.
The trail begins at the top of Turtle Road, above the red cliffs north of St. George. The trail begins across from the parking area. When you hit an open area, the official trail continues straight. But if you head left, up the broad set of step-like rocky ledges, you’ll find a fun alternate route. The trail will turn northwest. Right when it begins to veer back southwest again, watch carefully for a singletrack that climbs up and over the small ridge. This advanced-tech trail will take you back to the main City Creek trail.
The trail will head towards the road, going north around the small canyon that begins at the golf course. From here, it heads back southwest and over the hill to the road. After crossing the road, the broad Rusty Cliffs trail should be easy to follow. This trail was an old pioneer road.
Directions
From St. George Blvd (the main drag), head north on Main Street (towards the “Dixie” painted on the big rock above the cliffs). When you reach Hope Street, turn right, then immediately take the left fork and climb Skyline Drive to the top of the cliffs. Turn left on Snow Canyon Parkway (labeled Skyline Drive on some city maps, and called Turtle Road by many locals). At the top of the hill, turn right into the parking area. The trail starts across the road.
Alternate: Head north straight up Bluff Street until it leaves town. At the light where Bluff intersects Snow Canyon Parkway, turn right. Drive back about 2 miles to the parking area.
Directions Courtesy of www.utahmountainbiking.com
