5.2 miles
Distance
954 ft
Climb
-983 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point

The local classic loop taking advantage of the tower road climb and ripping descent into City Creek. Begins at the top of Columbus Drive just past the road gate and makes a quick switchback to Sandhurst drive. A short section of pavement leads to the tower road gate. Easy climbing up the road leads to the BST segment into City Creek, with a fast singletrack descent with occasional rocky and loose sections. Switchbacks down through the trees lead to the fast and straight whip out City Creek. Beware of hikers on the final section.

There is ample free parking available at the Capitol to facilitate riding this as a loop.

Detailed Description
Chicken Loop is a 5 mile moderately popular intermediate route located near Salt Lake City Utah. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 10 trails. This route climbs 954 ft with a max elevation of 5,610 ft then descends -983 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Salt Lake Valley Trails Society (www.saltlakevalleytrailssociety.org)
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Trail Products

23 Reviews & Comments

  • + 1
zachpfins (Aug 8, 2020 at 11:58)
Trail Columbus
Not much of a trail, more of a connector between Victory and the radio tower access road or Hell Canyon. If connecting to the access road the last quarter mile is a steep, little challenge.
[Reply]
  • + 1
zachpfins (Aug 8, 2020 at 11:58)
Trail Columbus
Not much of a trail, more of a connector between Victory and the radio tower access road or Hell Canyon. If connecting to the access road the last quarter mile is a steep, little challenge.
[Reply]
  • + 1
zachpfins (Aug 8, 2020 at 11:58)
Trail Columbus
Not much of a trail, more of a connector between Victory and the radio tower access road or Hell Canyon. If connecting to the access road the last quarter mile is a steep, little challenge.
[Reply]
  • + 1
jerheck (Nov 14, 2019 at 10:22)
Trail BST (City Creek)
This climb is a great & challenging workout. If you like climbing and want a workout, this is a great trail IMO. If you want a fun ride, dropping into city creek and climbing a different route would be a better direction. My first attempt was almost 100% hiking from the switchbacks to the top (I was in worse shape than most riders). After a few months of hard riding I was able to ride the whole climb without walking. It is challenging, but doable. There's steep climbs with a few technical spots that make it more challenging from the start of the trail to the top. It's not really a fun climb (dropping into SLC is the only thing fun about this trail), but it's a great workout if that's what you're looking for. I commute home to bountiful from work in SLC when I can and this is a great way to fit in a challenging workout that helps me build strength and endurance, and gives me a good feel for my current fitness level.
[Reply]
  • + 1
jerheck (Nov 14, 2019 at 10:22)
Trail BST (City Creek)
This climb is a great & challenging workout. If you like climbing and want a workout, this is a great trail IMO. If you want a fun ride, dropping into city creek and climbing a different route would be a better direction. My first attempt was almost 100% hiking from the switchbacks to the top (I was in worse shape than most riders). After a few months of hard riding I was able to ride the whole climb without walking. It is challenging, but doable. There's steep climbs with a few technical spots that make it more challenging from the start of the trail to the top. It's not really a fun climb (dropping into SLC is the only thing fun about this trail), but it's a great workout if that's what you're looking for. I commute home to bountiful from work in SLC when I can and this is a great way to fit in a challenging workout that helps me build strength and endurance, and gives me a good feel for my current fitness level.
[Reply]
  • + 1
jerheck (Nov 14, 2019 at 10:22)
Trail BST (City Creek)
This climb is a great & challenging workout. If you like climbing and want a workout, this is a great trail IMO. If you want a fun ride, dropping into city creek and climbing a different route would be a better direction. My first attempt was almost 100% hiking from the switchbacks to the top (I was in worse shape than most riders). After a few months of hard riding I was able to ride the whole climb without walking. It is challenging, but doable. There's steep climbs with a few technical spots that make it more challenging from the start of the trail to the top. It's not really a fun climb (dropping into SLC is the only thing fun about this trail), but it's a great workout if that's what you're looking for. I commute home to bountiful from work in SLC when I can and this is a great way to fit in a challenging workout that helps me build strength and endurance, and gives me a good feel for my current fitness level.
[Reply]
  • + 1
jerheck (Nov 14, 2019 at 10:22)
Trail BST (City Creek)
This climb is a great & challenging workout. If you like climbing and want a workout, this is a great trail IMO. If you want a fun ride, dropping into city creek and climbing a different route would be a better direction. My first attempt was almost 100% hiking from the switchbacks to the top (I was in worse shape than most riders). After a few months of hard riding I was able to ride the whole climb without walking. It is challenging, but doable. There's steep climbs with a few technical spots that make it more challenging from the start of the trail to the top. It's not really a fun climb (dropping into SLC is the only thing fun about this trail), but it's a great workout if that's what you're looking for. I commute home to bountiful from work in SLC when I can and this is a great way to fit in a challenging workout that helps me build strength and endurance, and gives me a good feel for my current fitness level.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Clintcalder (Oct 5, 2019 at 21:24)
Trail BST (City Creek)
Trail is great, though some loose rocks. Dry with one wet section, but nothing serious.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Clintcalder (Oct 5, 2019 at 21:24)
Trail BST (City Creek)
Trail is great, though some loose rocks. Dry with one wet section, but nothing serious.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Clintcalder (Oct 5, 2019 at 21:24)
Trail BST (City Creek)
Trail is great, though some loose rocks. Dry with one wet section, but nothing serious.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Clintcalder (Oct 5, 2019 at 21:24)
Trail BST (City Creek)
Trail is great, though some loose rocks. Dry with one wet section, but nothing serious.
[Reply]
  • + 0
nelsonpd (Sep 12, 2019 at 19:19)
Trail BST (City Creek)
Climbed this trail and it’s totally doable, but could use work to be “fun.” Runnels and loose rocks all over the place make it kind of a grind
[Reply]
  • + 0
nelsonpd (Sep 12, 2019 at 19:19)
Trail BST (City Creek)
Climbed this trail and it’s totally doable, but could use work to be “fun.” Runnels and loose rocks all over the place make it kind of a grind
[Reply]
  • + 0
nelsonpd (Sep 12, 2019 at 19:19)
Trail BST (City Creek)
Climbed this trail and it’s totally doable, but could use work to be “fun.” Runnels and loose rocks all over the place make it kind of a grind
[Reply]
  • + 0
nelsonpd (Sep 12, 2019 at 19:19)
Trail BST (City Creek)
Climbed this trail and it’s totally doable, but could use work to be “fun.” Runnels and loose rocks all over the place make it kind of a grind
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sailanarmo (May 6, 2019 at 20:04)
Trail BST (City Creek)
I will agree with the person who said to reverse the directions. Unless you have a great bike, infinite leg power, great lungs, I would highly recommend not trying to climb this trail. It was a very difficult climb with lots of steep hills and sharp switch backs. Other than the beginning, I have to keep my bike on the lowest gear most of the time.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sailanarmo (May 6, 2019 at 20:04)
Trail BST (City Creek)
I will agree with the person who said to reverse the directions. Unless you have a great bike, infinite leg power, great lungs, I would highly recommend not trying to climb this trail. It was a very difficult climb with lots of steep hills and sharp switch backs. Other than the beginning, I have to keep my bike on the lowest gear most of the time.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sailanarmo (May 6, 2019 at 20:04)
Trail BST (City Creek)
I will agree with the person who said to reverse the directions. Unless you have a great bike, infinite leg power, great lungs, I would highly recommend not trying to climb this trail. It was a very difficult climb with lots of steep hills and sharp switch backs. Other than the beginning, I have to keep my bike on the lowest gear most of the time.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sailanarmo (May 6, 2019 at 20:04)
Trail BST (City Creek)
I will agree with the person who said to reverse the directions. Unless you have a great bike, infinite leg power, great lungs, I would highly recommend not trying to climb this trail. It was a very difficult climb with lots of steep hills and sharp switch backs. Other than the beginning, I have to keep my bike on the lowest gear most of the time.
[Reply]
  • + 2
deepdrypowder (Apr 23, 2019 at 8:18)
Trail BST (City Creek)
This trail is ridden primarily in the opposite direction. Climbing up the tower roads and descending into city creek is a great romp. I would advocate for reversing the arrows.
[Reply]
  • + 2
deepdrypowder (Apr 23, 2019 at 8:18)
Trail BST (City Creek)
This trail is ridden primarily in the opposite direction. Climbing up the tower roads and descending into city creek is a great romp. I would advocate for reversing the arrows.
[Reply]
  • + 2
deepdrypowder (Apr 23, 2019 at 8:18)
Trail BST (City Creek)
This trail is ridden primarily in the opposite direction. Climbing up the tower roads and descending into city creek is a great romp. I would advocate for reversing the arrows.
[Reply]
  • + 2
deepdrypowder (Apr 23, 2019 at 8:18)
Trail BST (City Creek)
This trail is ridden primarily in the opposite direction. Climbing up the tower roads and descending into city creek is a great romp. I would advocate for reversing the arrows.
[Reply]





Trails in Route

Columbus4,396 ft
Sandhurst1 mile
BST (City Creek)3 miles

Details

  • Riding area
    Salt Lake City
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Bike type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Moderate
  • Ridelogs
    9
More Stats for Chicken Loop mountain bike route
  • Altitude min
    4,665 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,694 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,665 ft
  • Grade
    -0.1%
  • Grade max
    -30%
  • Grade min
    95.6%
  • Distance climb
    3 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    830 ft
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Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
BST (City Creek)
Jun 29, 2022 @ 3:59pm
Jun 29, 2022
Columbus
Jun 29, 2022 @ 3:59pm
Jun 29, 2022
Sandhurst
Jun 1, 2022 @ 1:22pm
Jun 1, 2022
more reports »
  • By deepdrypowder & contributors
  • #21150 - 343 views