Blow Hard

Blow Hard

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	Blow Hard
Location:	Utah
Nearest Town:	Brian Head
Directions to Trailhead:	Go to Brian Head and continue through town ( If you are comming from Parowan and I-15.) Once through Brian Head continue South towards Cedar Breaks Natl. Monument. As you approach the South entrance/exit to the park start looking for a stop sign on the West side of the road. This stop sign in approx 1/8 of a mile from the cattle gaurd marking the parks Southern boundry. Take the dirt road for approx. 3/4 of a mile. On your right you will see a rustic sign that marks the beggining of Blow Hard Mountain Trail. The trail is about 13 miles from Brian Head.
Trail Description:	This trail was re-cut by the Forest Service about 3 years ago. The re-routing of the trail was to ensure that it would not pass throug the wilderness area that it now skirts. Most of the trail is down hill and shuttle is recommended for those of you who are not very strong climbers. If you like L O N G climbs when you get to the bottom you can ride the highway back to the top. Allow abot two hours if you ride it as a loop. Whith a shuttle it can be done in an hour or so. Get ready to loose altitidue, about 2500 Ft in 12 miles.
Trail Length:	28 in a loop miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack
Skill Level:	Advanced
Submitted By:	Fronk

Giacomo from Vegas Baby... Date: July 28, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: From peak. Or as a loop, start on Virgin Rim Trail at Woods Ranch, top out at Webster's Flat, ride Hwy 14 down to Crystal Springs and savor the lower half of Blowhard. To do a shuttle from the peak takes time and involves some driving. Other recommended trails in the same area: Virgin River Rim, Red Mountain
Review: Every one that is resourceful and properly equipped can ride this trail - its a breeze. Beginners will however, likely struggle with this one. A map is probably not necessary. Ride time can vary due to the age old battle of: 1. Do I exit the trail where the (3 or 4) overlooks are and experience the mind blowing scenery or 2. Do I ride like an animal set loose in the forest (courteous to the trail and other users of course...)and drop the vert like it is going out of style? Ride time is therefore about 45-90 minutes. For the first course of this tasty dish, the top part of the trail gives you a bit of dense pine forest to whet your apetite for greenery, then the second course is a brief rock garden that gives your spine a good shake and then it is on to the main course. The edge of the Cedar Breaks Park is then in view with a vantage point that is only accesible to hikers, bikers, horseriders and the local animals. Take your camera, because here is where the money shot is that your friends won't believe and you will be thinking about for days... The surface of the trail is now soft and colorful. Now, are your technical skills dialed in? A series of challenging switchbacks will get your attention before you hit a swinging gate and then it is onto the next lower level of forest. Variable trail surfacing will give you a chance to see what is considered fast and what is inside the boundaries of your potential. Pass through Crytal Springs and see the lush high mountain meadow and tons of wild flowers. For the next meal course it is a short climb and then a downhill on trail that is about 5 feet wide and takes you up to the nose of a hill that overlooks Cedar Canyon. Loose dirt abounds for a short while and then the dreamy roller coaster is ready for you to ride. Only about 6-7 of the rolling grade dips in this section can be launched without the penalty of bailing out due to the curves and the abundant speed you will now have. In the last third of the trail, you will now be a bit warmer due to the lower altitude. After a fine meal, the desert course had better be good and this trail delivers all you could want and more. The bottom of the trail takes you from the "riding on the edge of a rock formation" down through a deliciously tight ravine with green, green and more green plants to line the trail. Soak your feet in the creek across from the trail terminus and you will be invigorated. If you pick up a piece of trash or two on the trail, your karma will be polished up a bit for your next trail...	Overall Rating:

Darrell McMillan from Round Mountain, NV, USA Date: September 27, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: Just as the description at the top of this page says. Other recommended trails in the same area: Bunker Creek & Dark Hollow
Review: This trail rocks. With the exception of a few very tight steep switchbacks towards the top, any intermediate rider should be able to clean it. I don't know where they got 12 miles from, the trail is actually about 7 1/4 miles long. It took us about 50 minutes of riding time to get down to the highway at the bottom. The views are spectacular. Even though it drops something like 3000 feet in so short a distance, there are a few rolling sections requiring hard pedaling. They're short but steep and will take their toll by the end. This is one of the three trails that keep us going back to Brianhead every year. The temperatures stay nice and comfortable throughout the summer due to the high elevation and it gets chilly at night. Enjoy.	Overall Rating:

Christina from Cedar City, UT USA Date: January 7, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Don't close your eyes! This trail has awesome views. Other recommended trails in the same area: There are too many to choose from. Bunker Creek- nothing but fun from top to bottom. Dark Hollow- it's all in the name. Awesome tree ride, nice and cool if you're thinking of a mid day ride.
Review: As a busy student most of the year this is one trail that I take time out for. Cedar City is only 30 minutes from the head of this trail and an easy 15 minutes if you want to catch the trail half way. The top of the trail was a doosy for me as a beginner but toughing through the hard part is the best because what awaites you is beautiful. This trail offers things for all types of riders. A couple sweet ups with quick downs and wide open meadows to satisfy the x-country folks. As far as conditions go this trail is rideable almost 8 months out of the year. If your thinking of making a trip out, talk to us locals when you come the the trails change sometimes in the winter months. This whole area of Southern Utah is a mtn. bikers paradise.	Overall Rating:

Tom from SLC, UT Date: November 14, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: uhhhhhhhhhhh...huh huh. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: you said blow...	Overall Rating:

dave from West Vancouver (North Shore) Date: November 11, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Dark Hollow, they all start from the same spot so ride them all, but ride Blow Hard twice.
Review: Of all of the trails at Brianhead to ride, this is the one. It is smooth, picturesque, and fast. It is difficult enough, fun turns and curves, and all around goodness. This is also one of the least technical and bumpy. I rode it once on a stiff front (that's right, so all of you F/S pansies can pucker your lips, I rode all of them on a stiff front) and this one was the nicest on my body. If you are h/t, or beginner, this trail is a good bet. All of the trails in Brianhead are good, but this is the best. Try it out.	Overall Rating:

Mike from MA Date: October 5, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: point your wheel straight down and fly Other recommended trails in the same area: All of them, Dark Hollow, Bunker Creek, Town Trail, search around, ask some locals
Review: This is perhaps the one of the most if not the most amazingly diverse and technical trails I've ever ridden. It's also the most fun. Great technical rockfields, fast dirt singletrack, stream crossings, you name it this place has it. I've ridden many other trails in the Utah area and only dark hollow can compare to this one. If mountain biking's your thing you must venture to the high elevation and crisp clean air of Brianhead Utah.	Overall Rating: