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Best XC trails in the USA?

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Discussion starter · #21 ·
dir-T said:
That said, my friend did that ride that goes from Durango (?, maybe Telluride) to Moab using a series of huts along the way and absolutely raves about it.
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Telluride to Moab. I've seen a little about it here and there, and thought it was mostly dirt roads, 4x4 trails, etc. but I'm not sure.

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#22 ·
_CJ said:
Telluride to Moab. I've seen a little about it here and there, and thought it was mostly dirt roads, 4x4 trails, etc. but I'm not sure.
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I think you are right about primarily jeep roads and dirt roads. My understanding is the route for Durango and Telluride to Moab also changes since they are required to move the locations of the huts every so many years to avoid impacting the sites. And they have both a regular route and more difficult singletrack options some days that riders can choose from. They keep the routes a guarded secret so you can't just look it up and go ride it easily. The Hut to Hut company wants your money. I'm sure their routes are cool, but I generally don't pay to MTB and definitely not if it is mostly jeep road.
 
#23 ·
evdog said:
I think you are right about primarily jeep roads and dirt roads. My understanding is the route for Durango and Telluride to Moab also changes since they are required to move the locations of the huts every so many years to avoid impacting the sites. And they have both a regular route and more difficult singletrack options some days that riders can choose from. They keep the routes a guarded secret so you can't just look it up and go ride it easily. The Hut to Hut company wants your money. I'm sure their routes are cool, but I generally don't pay to MTB and definitely not if it is mostly jeep road.
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Well, they are maintaining the huts and stocking them with food so they should get your money for that. I think m yfriend's trip had lots of ST but I could be wrong on that .

Otherwise use some maps or Google Earth to figure out your own route and bring a tent and haul your own food.
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
Krapper2 said:
The Chequamegon 40 route is mostly fire roads and the Birkebeiner ski trail, which is like grass covered fire roads. Not the best XC mtb trails by far IMO.

That being said there is lots of really good single track in Hayward/Cable. A lot of it intersects with the 40 course. Much more fun IMO
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You don't have to like it, that's fine, I'm not hear to debate what the best is or isn't, I asked what you think is the best.

In the early 90's when I did the Fat Tire 40, that kind of trail defined XC riding. To this day, I freaking love riding XC ski trails, and to a large extent I find modern bike trails that constantly twist and turn back and forth for no other reason than to add mileage to be kind of tedious. To each their own.

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Discussion starter · #25 ·
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#27 ·
I have a group of friends that rode the Mah Da Hey trail almost every year up until COVID. The photos looked really cool but its an ABSOLUTE no go if it's wet at all. Even if a hard frost will melt later in the day.

The Dakota 5-0 race course was awesome when I used to do it about 20 years ago. The route is open when the race isn't happening too.

The Butte 100 race course is also open when the race isn't happening. Shoot, you could ride it when the race IS happening just don't help yourself to the aid stations. In fact, where I live I think it's illegal to close trails to other users for races so that part of the question doesn't really compute for me.

Other than that, there's some great epics in southwest MT. Sheep Creek to Mile Creek for instance. Pika Point is fun too. Both have the added excitement of Grizzly Bears.

All I ride is XC of varying distances though so without mileage requirement the question for me boils down to "what's your favorite ride". Probably one I haven't done yet.
 
#28 ·
dir-T said:
Well, they are maintaining the huts and stocking them with food so they should get your money for that. I think m yfriend's trip had lots of ST but I could be wrong on that .

Otherwise use some maps or Google Earth to figure out your own route and bring a tent and haul your own food.
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I wasn't suggesting non paying riders should be able to use their huts. But plenty of people would do exactly what you said and ride the same route bringing their own food and shelter if their routes were public. That is what the company doesn't want, in case their paying customers might realize they could do it themselves for free, too. Harder to do that when the route is kept secret.

Going back to the thread, the hut to hut routes wouldn't make my list due to the amount of jeep road on them. I'm sure they are great routes, but this thread is for primarily singletrack trails.
 
#29 ·
Maah Dah Hey is full of mountain lions! I'm being dramatic. I do recall reading about some guys who got stalked for an uncomfortably long time on the MDH years ago.

www.espn.com

Hunt ends for cougar that threatened bikers

BISMARCK, N.D. Claire Brook said the mountain lion she saw had "very pretty teeth." And Kenneth Campbell said its growl was not as loud as one would think. The mountain bikers said they came almost face to fang with a cougar on Monday on the Maa
www.espn.com www.espn.com

 
#30 ·
Not in the US, but it ends at the US border.

The 7-summits trail in Rossland BC is the best single XC trail I have ridden. Only 35km but it is absolutely spectacular and ends with a solid 45 minute descent.
 
#31 ·
Harold said:
Yep. Pinhoti is a pretty legit one in the SE. I've ridden a few sections of it. Nice techy singletrack. It's used for the TNGA race.
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I’ve stayed at Mulberry Gap twice to ride Pinhoti. You can camp or stay in a cabin, and they have several shuttle options for a reasonable fee to satisfy the OP’s requirement. And they’ll feed you well if you want.
 
#35 ·
evdog said:
I wasn't suggesting non paying riders should be able to use their huts. But plenty of people would do exactly what you said and ride the same route bringing their own food and shelter if their routes were public. That is what the company doesn't want, in case their paying customers might realize they could do it themselves for free, too. Harder to do that when the route is kept secret.
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But the routes ARE all on public land. The only thing keeping them "secret" is someone being too lazy to research their own ride. I don't think the hut owners care one way or another if someone bikepacks the trails self-supported as that's not the market they target.

I've stayed at lots of backcountry ski huts over the years. Anyone is welcome to access the terrain. They just can't stay at the hut and ethics would dictate they pitch their tent a respectible distance away. Same thing with biking.

Anyway, sorry go on a tangent. I just think its inaccurate to paint the hut owners as greedy folk trying to keep people off of "their" trails to make a buck.
 
#37 ·
Oooh, here's one. A few year ago I would've kept it secret but cat's outta the bag these days. Don't go on a holiday weekend. Some of the best views I've had while riding a bike.

Good Water Rim Trail - Ultimate Guide to Mountain Biking in Utah

Good Water Rim - Editor's Pick!!! Absolutely fabulous 15-mile singletrack in the San Rafael 40 miles south of Price. Loop w dirt road 21 miles. Killer views. One of Utah's best rides. Season late May through October.
utahmountainbiking.com utahmountainbiking.com
 
#38 ·
mikesee said:
They're almost never a part of a trail network, almost always something I/we have stumbled onto as part of an exploratory ride.
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As a precursor, I am a sucker for really technical, long, point to point trails.

There are many, many point to point single track trails in National Forests in the Western US that are primarily hiking that allow for bike use that are absolutely amazing. Uintah mountains & Sawtooth mountains are just a couple examples...they're are many. You just have to go try them out if bikes are allowed.

The NCT (North Country Trail), mentioned by the OP, would be a premier point to point for XC riding, but the committee continues to shut down sections to mountain biking. Truly a great loss for us, and it runs right by my town/house. It is technical and remote here in the UP, and passes through some truly spectacular landscapes. It makes me so, so, sad. I'm considering taking up trail running.

The BCT (Black Canyon Trail) in AZ is fantastic when ridden end to end. It really isn't spectacular in any section, but riding end to end is a great experience. I recommend North to South.

Some of the Wasatch Mountain trails can be linked together, but there are too many dips into the urban landscape for it to be great. Epic Ride: Wasatch Traverse - Crankjoy This is a route I rode with a friend about 8 years ago.

Those are just a few.
 
#39 ·
Looks like Colorado is pretty well covered.

Grueling, epic, scenic as could be...
The dark divide in WA.

Bunchgrass is another one, OR.

Not epic per se but some of the most fun and pretty XC stuff I've ridden was in the UP.
 
#40 ·
WHALENARD said:
Looks like Colorado is pretty well covered.
...

Not epic per se but some of the most fun and pretty XC stuff I've ridden was in the UP.
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Agreed.

There's enough trail that something Epic can be strung together in Marquette - Negaunee - Ishpeming (i.e. MG100 route). The connectors are close, but could use a little bit of development.

Copper Harbor is finally getting enough trail mileage with the extension of the point trail to put together an epic XC day.
 
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