Favorite 'long weekend' MTB location....?

Where do you like to go? Hurricane is my "go-to" trip because it's relatively close, and easy drive just as long as you don't return on Sunday afternoon and there are plenty of reasonably priced options which are much harder to find in places like Sedona. I'm not a fan of camping if I can avoid it. I like real beds, a hot shower and preferably a jacuzzi.

 

Mine is easy, Santa Cruz, I have 2 places to crash and go surf in the morning and off to where ever the rest of the day.

 

Cool...still haven't made it there yet but will at some point. Been to all the others on that list.

 

I was suppose to go Sedona last week to Kali Kamp but that didn't happen.

 

Sedona and I stay in Prescott, ride a bit there also. Headed there for a week in April.

 

Mammoth Lake and Lake Tahoe are top contenders

 

Just came back from Prescott last weekend. 1st dedicated riding trip there. We have land out in Williamson Valley and once my wife hangs it up in 4.5 years, that's where we'll be full time.

 

My favorite place is anywhere I can stay at a friend's/family's place that has more than one day's worth of riding that is unlike my home turf. And since I have at least 4 or 5 places set-up like that, I have no one favorite in particular. Depends on the mood I am in, the climate I am in the mood for, the season, and how long it's been since I was at a given location last.

 

What’s a long weekend???

 

So far, I go with just about anywhere in southern Utah or the central Sierra Nevada, with the caveat that I haven't yet been to the Tahoe area or Flagstaff (Flagstaff for mtb...I drove through there and fell in love with it just for its beauty).

 

My brother just moved to Prescott and has been hounding me to come out. He just got a new mountain bike and knows all the trails, since he works for the Forest Service.

 

Blue Diamond las vegas

 

My preference is St. George/Hurricane area. Plenty of variety and it never gets old. Plus it's usually not that crowded.

 

Mammoth. The free place to stay doesn’t hurt but even without that I love the area.

 

Whistler...

I've done it on a Labor Day weekend.

 

I'd have to say Kernville. No matter that season it is, there is always something that is riding well. Great mix of big descents, long xc trails and backcountry riding. Great camping access, forests, streams, rivers. And a very doable drive distance. It checks all the boxes.

Right up there is Arizona. Within a fairly small area you have Phx, Tucson, Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff, Mogillon Rim, Grand Canyon. So much diversity and a lifetime of stuff to explore within a 2 hour drive radius. Coming from SD there is never traffic to deal with even on a long weekend.

 

Fruita/ Moab!
I have done the Kokopelli Trail at least 5 times. The grand finale of Porcupine is the the ultimate epic for me. This year I chose to pass on Koko to head up later this year and hit up some of the classics of Fruita like Captain Ahab, and to do the Whole Enchilada outside of Moab. All the "goods" without the mindless miles in between.

Yeah baby! I need this. I have to have it, cant live without it!!!!

 

We may have to head out there. Looks like there's plenty of BLM land to camp near Gooseberry. What's the weather like J? When's a good time to go? Now?

 

You name the month and I have taken trips out to St G/Hurricane. I was there December 1-4 and it was sunny and 50 degrees. I went back Feb 8-10 and it was cloudy and 50 degrees. It's snowed on me in May and been 90 degrees in May so there is no bad time other than the 100+ degree scorcher days in the heart of the Summer. I know the locals ride at 5 am to beat the heat. Another bonus is there are places to ride even immediately after a rain. I rode the Church Rocks area in St George while it was actively snowing.

There is plenty of camping spots up on Gooseberry Mesa (and less so on Guacamole and Little Creek Mesa). I don't camp often but when we do, we find a spot right on the edge of the canyon. Basically, if the road up to the mesa is passable, you can ride but those roads can get UGLY. If there's been a bunch of rain, I suggest calling Over The Edge Sports in Hurricane and asking for road conditions.

 

I don't think my butt can handle the mileage required for the Kokopelli Trail. I've done the Whole Enchilada and agree that Lower Porcupine is fantastic. I think there's too much hype around Ahab but it's still a fun ride. I prefer the Mag 7 and Klondike Bluffs stuff myself. heading back out there in October for a 4 day tour with Chasing Epic. Make sure to ride the Palisade Rim if you get out to Fruita.

 

Thanks Mike!