Fall is great time to go mountain biking in the Salt Lake area. Temperatures are usually very comfortable, the dirt is a little tackier, and the mountains are a blaze of autumn color. There is no shortage of trails in the Wasatch but the new Bonanza Loop Trail is an excellent choice for a fun leaf peeping excursion.
The trail just opened in late summer and is an intermediate 5.2 mile loop with about 650ft of climbing. It winds through Bonanza Flat which is a 1,500 acre conservation easement located just below Guardsman pass on the Park City side.
The latter half of September is usually peak foliage where the Bonanza Loop Trail sits at around 9,000 ft. It’s a very popular area during foliage season, so if you can possibly go during the week that would be preferable.
From Salt Lake City, we recommend taking the scenic drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon and over Guardsman Pass. The drive up and down Big Cottonwood is worthy as a scenic drive even if you aren’t going to explore the trails. About 2 miles beyond Guardsman Pass you’ll come to the Bananza Flat Parking lot on the right. As you get out of your car and get ready for your ride, soak in the spectacular views and fall colors. Right from the parking lot you’ll have views of the yellow orange aspens of Bonanza Flat and of Mt Timpanogos further south (Alpine Loop around Timp is another fantastic fall outing).
The trail is open to bikers and hikers however bikers are supposed to ride the trail counterclockwise while hikers should travel clockwise. To begin the loop on a mountain bike, enter the trail at the back western corner of the parking lot (hikers will start at the eastern corner).
After a short decent from the parking lot, the trail mostly climbs through meadows with nice views of Bonanza flat. The climb is mild to moderate on fairly smooth single track. The trail curves around and heads towards the aspen grove, which, if you hit if right should be a spectacular sea of yellow and orange. As the trail heads into the aspen grove it also gets more interesting. You’ll encounter some rock gardens, wooden bridges and fun twists and turns and you wind your way through the fall canopy. As you tackle the final climb out of the aspen grove, you’ll encounter another great vantage point to check out the colors and the scenic peaks to the south.
Overall the trail is fun for a wide variety of riders. The loop is relatively short without too much climbing, so it’s a quick casual ride for the seasoned mountain biker and approachable for those still learning and gaining fitness. There is enough moderate tech mixed in with the flowy sections to keep the trail fun and interesting. The trail bikes we rent at Canyon Sports are perfect for this terrain. If you’re looking for a bigger ride, you can access the 9k trail just across the street from the parking lot. An out and back on 9k would be a great addition to the loop but you can also connect with other trails off 9k and make it as big of a ride as you like.
Pack a picnic lunch or a cold beverage to enjoy after the ride and soak in the colorful views some more before heading back over Guardsman pass and down Big Cottonwood Canyon. Fall foliage season is a magical but fleeting time of year. As Labor Day comes and goes, make sure to start planning at least one or two good fall mountain bike rides!*Note this trail closes October through June for wildlife claving.