Mountain biking Little Mountain to Killyon Canyon loop

June 3, 10:58 AMSalt Lake City Outdoor Recreation ExaminerJared Hargrave

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Daniel Kovach rides the Little Mountain Trail.

Every so often, a mountain biker gets into a rut by pedaling on the same trails over and over again. When this phenomenon occurs, a trip on the road less traveled (or trail less ridden) is in order. The Little Mountain/Killyon Canyon loop in Emigration Canyon is one such ride as it is little known and little ridden.

The Little Mountain/Killyon Canyon loop is a fairly straightforward singletrack ride that begins atop Little Mountain Pass, across Emigration Canyon Road from the parking lot. It starts with a steep uphill section to the top of Little Mountain and winds among open meadows and scrub-oak forest while throwing in a few steep ascents. At times the trail becomes very thin, causing overgrown brush to get tangled in the spokes and pedals. The small amount of traffic here is also evident by several fallen trees that cover the route, requiring mandatory dismounts.

Once at the top of Little Mountain, the trail traverses over to Killyon Canyon. A couple short but fast descents lead to a fork where a left turn goes into the canyon. This is where the ride gets really interesting as the track becomes steep and technical thanks to a rutted-out section only expert riders can hope to descend. Running water has carved out a mini-canyon right through the middle of the trail, creating a mud-filled, tire-eating obstacle. Less experienced riders can dismount and walk this brutal section until the canyon widens out.

Once the hard part is left behind, the remaining downhill is smooth, fast and much easier. Cruising through the forest, splashing through the creek and banking turns on buffed out corners is the reward for surviving the less desirable sections. The trail ends in a neighborhood cul-de-sac where the road goes down to Emigration Canyon. From here, an uphill ride with the road bikers leads back to the top of Little Mountain Pass and the parking lot.

To get there from Salt Lake City, take I-80 east through Parley's Canyon and exit at Little Dell/East Canyon. Drive north to a fork and turn left onto Emigration Canyon Road. At the Little Mountain Summit, park in the lot on the south side of the road. North of the road, you will see the beginning of the trail going straight up the hill.