Wire Mesa Mountain Bike Loop
Public Land: Bureau of Land Management
Area: Hurricane. Wire Mesa
Trail: Wire Mesa
Route: Wire Mesa Loop
Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,188
Elevation Loss: 1,188
Difficulty: Rated Blue. Rolling terrain, no sustained climbing
Local Advocacy Group: Dixie Mountain Bike Trails Association, http://dmbta.org/
A new trail in the Hurricane area is Wire Mesa. Mesa is a seven-mile loop that goes out and around the mesa. The views of multi-colored cliffs of Zion, the surrounding forested mesas, and the farm valley below makes the trail more than just a ride.
Wire Mesa is a mix of smooth flowing singletrack and slickrock challenges
The singletrack is flowy with undulating ups and downs. All along the route are different views of side canyons and Zion. There is just enough slickrock and challenges to keep it interesting. There are even a couple of sections where the trail splits and you can take the “easy” route or the “harder route”. It is great in either direction. We rode it clockwise. From that direction the uphill is more gradual and with less technical features. Those come later on once you reach the tip of the mesa and start your return. Some of the technical features would be great ridden the other way too. The description in Trailforks says it can be ridden either direction.
Views along the trail
Back at the trailhead we parked our van in a wild camp just down from a couple of young men walking their slack line across the canyon. Just as the sun was starting to settle towards sunset the light caught one of the slackliners and the line with a backdrop of shadow and beyond that the beautiful view of Zion.
The side canyon had a spring at start of the canyon. It flowed over a tier of rocks. We could hear the sound of running water as it flowed down from the cliff and down the canyon wash. I couldn’t have asked for a better view from our van.
In the trail description it says that “If Guacamole and JEM had a trail baby, this is what it would look like”. It is a great combination of the two other trails.
Additional Information
Where to eat and get morning coffee: River Rock Roasting Company and Cafe. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Where to rent bikes and get the local scoop on the trails: Over the Edge Sports - Hurricane The offer shuttles, guides, bike rental, trail maps, bikes, gear, parts. They also have showers and even coffee.