[jrob300]

My wife is a teacher and gets a week off the 3rd week of March. We are planning a trip to Utah to do some bike riding. Hoping that there is more available there in March than in Montana (we ride Fat Bikes here in the snow but are looking for some nicer weather, clearer trails/gravel roads).

The Park City area is doable in 2 easy days of driving towing a trailer. Southern Utah would be 3 days each way and would cut into riding a bit, but the season may necessitate. We can get 2 Gravel/Road bikes and 2 full squish MTB's in the back of our Yukon.

Looking for advice on general weather conditions in the area at that time of year. Which trails/gravel will be open/devoid of snow. Good places to camp. Suggested rides for not too hard core people (we're willing to work on climbs, but no road gaps, G-outs, jump lines, rock gardens on the descents.... we are mostly trail riders )

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[johno_slc]

Third week of March you're going to find slim pickings, especially in Park City (well, at least I hope so - we need snow). Moab is generally more temperate than the Wasatch, so that's an option--4 hrs or so from Salt Lake. Southern Utah, esp the St George area, is probably your best bet in spite of the extra drive
BTW it's only 4.5 hrs from SLC to STG, so if you can get to Park City in two easy days of driving, just add two hours to each day and bam! you're in STG.

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[jrob300]

@johno_slc I suspected this to be true... my wife was unaware of the elevation of Park City. Not in our favor. We have friends in STG. Seems like the conservative choice at this juncture. I think that Moab is probably not our gig. Much of what I've seen there seems a bit over our skill level. There is a ton of possibility in the St. George area and we knew that... were just hoping for less travel time.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[sgltrak]

Moab has good riding for all levels. Don't be intimidated by the stuff you see online. I've ridden in Moab with novices and intermediate riders who had a great time.
Weather can be all over the place in March. I've ridden in 80 degree weather and awakened with 3" of snow on my tent in Moab in March.

 

[JillRide45]

Moab has trails for everyone, do not be scared off by the videos. Brand trails, Klondike, Navajo Rocks, Rodeo, Deadhorse, Horsethief, and Mag 7 all have low intermediate trails that are fun and scenic. Believe me I am an old lady who does not like exposure. Have a great trip and thanks to your wife for all she has been through this past year.


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[C Smasher]

PC is virtually never ridable in March. Some places in and near SLC like behind the U of U, Fruit Loops, Antelope Island and Eagle Mountain are ridable that time of year but it is different each year depending on weather.

Personally STG and Moab are my early spring trips.

 

[dir-T]

I second (or third) the sentiment that Moab has something for everyone. My wife and I love Klondike Bluffs - there's nothing death defying there although you might walks a couple parts. We were there last April and it was a bit chilly but doable. We typically had a slow morning and rolled out of the trailhead around 11am, dressed warmly. I think it was around freezing when we woke up and warmed to the low 50s - but every year is different.

St. George should be warmer and also has a nice variety of trails. I like the scenery in Moab better but STG has less of the "Disney Land" vibe that Moab has.

Also, Moab is just a 10 hour drive from Bozeman. Granted, that's in a car not towing a trailer but your estimate of 3 days of driving each way seems a bit high, even if you're in Libby.

 

[jrob300]

Also, Moab is just a 10 hour drive from Bozeman. Granted, that's in a car not towing a trailer but your estimate of 3 days of driving each way seems a bit high, even if you're in Libby.

Yeah... I get where you're coming from. It's all choices. We choose to enjoy travel days now and that means 4-6 hour days are very comfortable. Anything over 6 and I start to feel pressure to "get there" and then nobody is happy. It's kinda the difference between being young and hammering at 98% of threshold all the time and having no memories of the beautiful scenery going by and now learning to accept my age and the lack of fitness that goes with it and replacing it with enjoying the experience. My wife has taught me a lot in this area.

 

[dir-T]

Anything over 6 and I start to feel pressure to "get there" and then nobody is happy.

I hear that and can really REALLY appreciate where you're coming from. I remember the days of starting road trips at 4am. They are LONG gone!

I thought our trip last weekend would be the one where we would FINALLY (after 15 years of knowing about it) take the extra few hours to drive Nine Mile Canyon out of Wellington, UT. When we hit that intersection after already driving for 8 hours we looked to each other and said, yet again, "maybe next time".

 

[johno_slc]

I hear that and can really REALLY appreciate where you're coming from. I remember the days of starting road trips at 4am. They are LONG gone!

I thought our trip last weekend would be the one where we would FINALLY (after 15 years of knowing about it) take the extra few hours to drive Nine Mile Canyon out of Wellington, UT. When we hit that intersection after already driving for 8 hours we looked to each other and said, yet again, "maybe next time".

Man I totally hear you. I did an adventure motorcycle week down in Moab. I had everything planned out, including 9-Mile on my return. By the time I got there, I just hammered down on the throttle and kept riding. I was so hot, so tired, and so sore from picking my damn bike up that all I wanted was a cool shower, a gallon of Gatorade, and a dozen Tylenol. I still haven’t made it back, but someday…