21.0 miles
Distance
5,413 ft
Climb
-5,579 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point
Beautiful climb through flowery albion basin up over catherine pass and dropping into dry fork canyon for a steep fast descent to mineral basin. Climb the crazy rocky 4x4 road up mineral basin back up to the tram and descend the epic big mountain trail back down to your vehicle.
This route is Unsanctioned, Ride at your own Risk!
Detailed Description
Alta-MineralBasin-Snowbird Loop is a 21 mile popular expert unsanctioned route located near Alta Utah. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a extreme overall physical rating. This route includes 9 trails. This route climbs 5,413 ft with a max elevation of 10,830 ft then descends -5,579 ft.
31 Reviews & Comments
Timb1492
(Aug 8, 2022 at 6:56)
(Aug 8, 2022 at 6:56)
Trail Big Mountain
As mentioned in many comments, this is not an overly technical traill and can be riden by intermediate riders. It is 6 or 7 miles of mild downhill with many tight switchbacks and great views. There are a few sketchy parts (such as a high wooden bridge and a rocky section) that we chose to walk over. I'm sure better riders could get through without stopping. Getting up to the top of the tram where the trail begins is a brutal and boring grind up Peruvian gulch; on an ebike it can be done in about 30 minutes. The descent took way longer.
[Reply]
ccbush8
(Aug 1, 2022 at 14:25)
(Aug 1, 2022 at 14:25)
Trail Big Mountain
I am at snowbird today and spoke with workers. I can confirm that the trail is bi direction now. You can climb up it after 11am. Anybody who gets mad at you about that is wrong. That was 3 years ago when shuttles were going to the top so there is no reason it should be a downhill only trail after 11am.
[Reply]
UtahJohn
TRAILFORKS (Aug 1, 2022 at 17:20)
Trail Big Mountain
The Snowbird yokels should remove the signs then. Their whole operation is Clown World.
[Reply]
dd9433
(Jul 14, 2022 at 10:03)
(Jul 14, 2022 at 10:03)
Trail Big Mountain
The signs on this trail say "No Uphill Traffic After 11:00 am". Don't be a tool and climb up this after 11:00 am, even if the tram is not running. You are putting yourself and others in danger. Sack up and climb Bypass to Blackjack to the Peruvian Road. It's not any harder than climbing up the the trail. Actually, it's easier, because it's more direct it's ~30 minutes faster to climb the Peruvian side. You can be up *and* down in the time it would take you just to go up BMT.
If you insist on climbing BMT after 11 am, for God's sake yield to downhill traffic and be extremely cautious on blind corners.
I can't believe any of this actually needs to be said.
[Reply]
If you insist on climbing BMT after 11 am, for God's sake yield to downhill traffic and be extremely cautious on blind corners.
I can't believe any of this actually needs to be said.
Deez54
(Jul 9, 2022 at 15:20)
(Jul 9, 2022 at 15:20)
Trail Sunset Saddle
It's a solid down hill, especially the last section (which is the only section considered remotely double black). It's super sandy in the middle but all of it is rideable with some skill.
[Reply]
Lambert123
(Dec 1, 2021 at 16:42)
Trail Upper Albion Meadows
Great for hiking and mtb, amazing views
[Reply]
alitata
(Sep 12, 2021 at 15:57)
Trail Big Mountain
No bikes on the Tram are allowed as of today.
Yep, bikes are contentious. Pun intended.
[Reply]
Yep, bikes are contentious. Pun intended.
alitata
(Sep 12, 2021 at 15:49)
Trail Catherine Pass (Alta)
Incredible going down, predictable giving you plenty of time to pick the best line.
Going up is for masochists.
[Reply]
Going up is for masochists.
alitata
(Sep 12, 2021 at 15:44)
Trail Sunset Saddle
Difficulty depend on on which way you’re riding it. Going downhill is perfectly rideable, some loose sand and a few drops but nothing which deserves red rating. Difficult blue or one diamond.
[Reply]
Henke14
(Aug 12, 2021 at 6:50)
(Aug 12, 2021 at 6:50)
Trail Big Mountain
Figures it it time for an update. Begin riding up big mtn at 10am latest. Uphill traffic CLOSED after 11am. If you are going to avoid significant signage and endanger riders thinking it is clear down - at least have the presence of mind to get off the trial when you hear downhill traffic approaching. Good trail but it is slowly getting overrun by misbehavior. Its like ppl ignore the signs cause the bird won't take you up anymore.
[Reply]
Nightfryer
(Jul 21, 2021 at 21:45)
(Jul 21, 2021 at 21:45)
Trail Big Mountain
This trail is in great shape right now, rocks yes but the berms are in great shape as not a ton of people have been riding it due to snowbird not having lift service biking. If you are gonna do it though I would come from Alta and not climb Peruvian, much easier IMO.
[Reply]
wademtb221
(Jul 15, 2021 at 9:01)
(Jul 15, 2021 at 9:01)
Trail Big Mountain
People say it’s an a rough enduro trail but in all honesty it’s just fine on anything I have ridden down it countless times on my 100mm travel race xc bike an it’s fine
[Reply]
tabbid
(Jun 26, 2021 at 8:22)
Trail Big Mountain
Figure it’s time for an update: trail open to uphill before 11am per posted signs. Peruvian Road is rough to climb on 1x 30t:50t gearing unless you’re feeling super. Upper mile or so is basically a featureless bench cut trail through rocky dirt to get to the good stuff. Grab some food to support them.
[Reply]
Dangerfield22
(Jul 22, 2020 at 6:58)
Trail Lower Albion Meadows
Flowers are amazing along this trail right now!
[Reply]
UtahJohn
TRAILFORKS (Sep 15, 2019 at 17:19)
Trail Big Mountain
This was a 3* rated trail in 2017, but the trail crew has been hard at work and had definitely brought this up to a 5* descent. As stated it is also a fantastic climb (before the tram opens for the day).
[Reply]
hi-dr-nick
Reporter (Sep 15, 2019 at 14:06)
Trail Big Mountain
Pro tip: look on KSL for people selling vouchers so you don’t have to pay full price at the window. Awesome trail, all the b-line rock options are rad.
[Reply]
KirstinK
(Aug 2, 2019 at 13:27)
(Aug 2, 2019 at 13:27)
Trail Big Mountain
The description indicating this climb was for “hero types” shied me away because I’m certainly not a hero type and I also thought it was making fun of those attempting to do it because it required super human powers. I’m so glad I ignored my misinterpretation. This is an incredibly gorgeous and fun climb and I’m not even good at technical riding. I walked a handful of times. Definitely a new favorite trail.
[Reply]
Deez54
(Jul 28, 2019 at 16:38)
(Jul 28, 2019 at 16:38)
Trail Big Mountain
Awesome trail. Has a little, or a lot, of everything! Opened this weekend. Go ride!
[Reply]
DavidBirkley
(Jul 26, 2019 at 18:02)
Trail Big Mountain
Should open this weekend? Rode up it last weekend and crews were clearing snow.
[Reply]
utahlabrat
(Sep 21, 2018 at 21:22)
(Sep 21, 2018 at 21:22)
Trail Catherine Pass (Alta)
Super fun trail, I wonder if it doesn’t get ridden much bc it’s short? It’s a bit loose a bit techy and a bit flowy, with awesome views. Not really a full on black, but there enough line choices to make it intermediate to lower advanced. To me it’s like the better parts of the crest
[Reply]
wildrover
(Sep 12, 2018 at 20:10)
Trail Big Mountain
Call it whatever you want but I call it mandatory fun
[Reply]
UtahJohn
TRAILFORKS (Jun 24, 2018 at 11:11)
Trail Sunset Saddle
Really glad to see this as a separate section.
[Reply]
forrestgladding
(Aug 29, 2017 at 10:23)
Trail Big Mountain
I call this an endurance enduro/DH trail. Its rated blue, but if you attempt this trail at speed and without stopping it easily changes the character of this trail to a black. Put it this way it would be the hardest blue you have ever ridden. I mean the best strava time is around 25 minutes of continuous hauling ass, that isnt easy feat for that long, rate it a black.
[Reply]
bat-mehrens
(Aug 7, 2017 at 8:57)
Trail Catherine Pass (Alta)
Coming down it's a great high country trail, lots of fun and not crazy technical. Coming up, it's a bit of a bear, steep and a couple hike-a-bike sections.
[Reply]
alekstkach
(Jul 24, 2016 at 16:34)
(Jul 24, 2016 at 16:34)
Trail Big Mountain
Scott-townes description is pretty accurate. Not a really a flow trial, not a DH trail, not really an XC trail. Not really much of a trail but it is long and you can take the tram up so I guess that is good? The view is awesome...
[Reply]
gnarlysipes
(Jul 6, 2018 at 9:09)
Trail Big Mountain
It wouldn't technically be a DH trail unless you know of an official DH trail somewhere that is this long. Definitely not XC--take your spandex elsewhere. Like someone else said, it's more of an enduro trail. I did it three times one afternoon when it first opened and enjoyed it, but haven't been back since. Maybe I need to try it again.
[Reply]
alekstkach
(Jul 13, 2016 at 21:54)
(Jul 13, 2016 at 21:54)
Trail Catherine Pass (Alta)
Super fun way down from the pass. Good line of site most of the place in order avoid hikers and others coming up.
[Reply]
scott-townes
(Oct 22, 2014 at 18:06)
Trail Big Mountain
A 6 mile lift serviced trail with over 3k of descent... really not much more to say. But if I had to... I'd say the only negative things you'll hear about this trail are either that its not smooth enough and you'll have to pedal in some short sections (on a bike! omg!!). Then again those people don't quite understand the point of this trail. Its not a flow trail, its not a trail for straight up DH bikes (you can do it but way more fun on a 4-6" trail bike). Its one of the longest lift-serviced trails in North America (possibly the longest), it will be rough on most but is nowhere near too tech. for intermediates and the scenery/trail itself changes 3 or so times on the descent. Best part is you can pedal to the top if you want to give yourself a really good ride with unreal views.
[Reply]
dvbwn
(Jun 27, 2016 at 17:58)
Trail Big Mountain
Great description. Was on the fence about riding because I was listening to the whiners. Now I'm sold on checking it out this summer.
[Reply]
Trails in Route
| 761 ft | |||||
| 564 ft | |||||
| 3,386 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 1,099 ft | |||||
| 2 miles | |||||
| 6 miles | |||||
| 3,005 ft |
Details
More Stats for Alta-MineralBasin-Snowbird Loop mountain bike route
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Altitude min7,737 ft
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Altitude start8,377 ft
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Altitude end8,212 ft
-
Grade-0.1%
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Grade max-56.2%
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Grade min78%
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Distance climb10 miles
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Distance down10 miles
-
Distance flat2,608 ft
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Trail Conditions
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- Ideal
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Big Mountain
trail: Big Mountain
146 | comments: 0 | favs:
Mar 23, 2021
Big Mountain Trail in Snowbird. 30 minute downhill from high alpine start. Passes through multiple climate zones and terrain styles.
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
more reports »
- By phattyD & contributors
- #30519 - 432 views
I don't know where's the truth, but personally, I would not climb it. If you do, keep in mind that people going down may think it is all clear, so you are putting both yourself and them in danger.