Wow! We hit the scenery and solitude jackpot with this part paved and part gravel/dirt road ride. Our ride up Smith Mesa, around the backside of Zion and down Kolob Terrace was around 33 miles with 3079′ of climbing.
We started from a parking lot in Hurricane Cliffs along the Virgin River and rode up the deserted paved Smith Mesa Road. This climb is roughly 8.5 miles long and gains 2373′ of elevation. The pavement ends and the dirt road starts after about 8 miles when we made a sharp right to stay on Smith Mesa Road. You can’t miss the turn because you aren’t allowed to continue straight or you are illegally entering a private test facility.
Hurricane Supersonic Research Site was a United States Air Force launch complex with a rocket research track that launched a rocket ejection seat from a supersonic sled. The site was used in the testing of ejection seat systems and other aviation systems. The U.S. Air Force ceased operations in 1961 at the site. Since 1963 the facility has been owned and operated by Goodrich Corporation, Aircraft Interior Products, Propulsion Systems. It remains in operation as a private test facility.
But enough about that, we had way more riding to do. The dirt road is pretty smooth for quite a long time and the views are 5 star. The red dirt, pine trees, juniper and rocky boulders soon gave way to green grazing fields. Plenty of cows paused to watch us ride by. The fields contrast sharply with the towering cliffs of Zion and it is easy to be dazzled.
The smoother dirt roads became more rough but the views continued. The rolling dirt roads became rutted as we neared and then entered Zion National Park. We passed Wright Family Campground and then the road got really steep and switchbacks dove down in earnest. After this we had a minor climb up to Kolob Terrace Road for what we thought was going to be a quick decent. You know, the winds this year seem like they are more prevalent. Wouldn’t you know it, we had a stiff headwind the whole way back.
I would definitely recommend this loop as long as you know that you may not see anyone for large swaths of the ride. The scenery is top notch and while there is some road riding, it is worth it.
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