Gander Trail
If you've ridden everything on Gooseberry several times and need a new reason to come back. This is part of the reason. The Gander trail breaks off from the beginning section of the Windmill trail and heads east along the rim back towards the dirt road that you came in on from the highway to get to Gooseberry. The trail mixes it up a with riding along the rim with views of Zion and Smithsonian Butte as well as inland thru pinon and pine trees. The latter providing a distinct feel not found with the traditional rides on Gooseberry. You are able (on my to do list) to link this up with riding on Grafton Mesa. Have fun
List of Other Awesome Rides
Ride Type: Single Track and Dirt Road Loop (described here). Out 'n back on the single track would be also nice
Distance: 9.29 mi (Ribbon-Gunny Loop (lower/left section)-Tabeguache-Holy Cross-Ali Ali-Kurts)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 713/2673 ft
Riding Time: 2.5-4hrs Season: Spring & Fall to avoid excessive Heat. Otherwise, start early if in summer.Winter if it's not freezing/snow
Recommended Map: St.George,Hurricane&Springville,UT by Adventure Maps (note: Gander Trail is not marked on this map as it is not "fully legal" yet. Word has it that it's close
Getting There: (Google Maps Link) From St. George Blvd. (St. George), take I15 north to the Hwy 9 Hurricane exit. Take this east thru downtown Hurricane. Follow signs to Colorado City (take a right off the main street (hwy 9) onto 100 East/hwy 59 then your 1st left to continue on hwy 59). Hwy climbs for a mile or so and then levels out for 9 miles or so when you'll see a sign for Gooseberry Mesa. Turn left on the dirt road and drive for about 3 miles. Follow the sign to Gooseberry by turning left on to another dirt road and travel another 2.5 or so miles where you'll come to a fork in the road and bathroom (can't miss it). Take the right fork and travel another mile or so to the Windmill trailhead The Ride starts at the Windmill Trail Head on Gooseberry Mesa. Start riding the Windmill trail. At about a half mile when the trail breaks hard to the left, look immediatley to the right (east) and that's the Gander trail.
Bike Posing for pictures (Pine Valley Mtns in far left background)
Important: As you ride thru this clearing there are 3 different double tracks. 1 goes to the left (seen in photo), one goes straight down the middle (seen in photo), and one bears right (not seen in photo). Take the middle double track. Shortly thereafter, look for and take the single track on your right heading south into the trees.
At about mile 9 you'll descend for a short while and cross a wash and hike a bike a couple yards to a trail that heads uphill to the right (photo). (Left goes down and connects to Grafton Mesa area).Head up uphill to the right and the trail will lead to a livestock oral located at an intersection of 2 double tracks/fireroads. Take the double track/fire road to the right. This ties into the main dirt road. Hang a right and it will take you to the bathrooms and back to your car at the Windmill trailhead (about 3 miles)
