Alexander Spring Trail

Alexander Spring trail is a great singletrack ride up to the top of Parleys Summit, but I-80 is hidden from view almost the entire way. The trail, for the most, part follows a gas pipeline, so it's like riding through a long grassy meadow. Deer, moose and beaver are plentiful along Alexander Creek. The trail starts out fairly easy, but has a couple of climbs that a beginner or someone not acclimatized to the elevation might struggle with. The ride is an out and back with a loop at the end. When you reach the parking lot at Parleys Summit, look for a narrow singletrack heading up into the quaking aspen trees on your left (it's just before the paved road to the east). Follow the singletrack up and around until you reach a telephone pipeline (not to be confused with the gas line you've been following!) Ride the singletrack phoneline until you hit a dirt road, hang a left (downhill) until you come to the gas pipeline trail (the one you've been riding!!). From here back to the trailhead it's almost all downhill!!

How to get there: Head east up Parley Canyon (I-80), take exit 134 for East Canyon. Cross under the freeway. You can either park in front of the UDOT maintenance shed, or head down the hill 100 yards to the gate on the right (crossing under the golfcart bridge).

Rating (I've given it this rating for the long sustained climb)