The Horse Flat trail was originally an out and back trail that linked to one other trail. It has recently been extended so that using the Aspen Grove Trail (or Summit Trail as its called on this site by Shaun) you can make a loop ride.

The scenery is great, but the trail would benefit from a couple of reroutes.

Trail Description

This ride is a short loop with numerous options for lengthening the ride. Some of the climbs are steep and loose, but overall, this is medium technical and medium/advanced aerobic on the steep climbs.

Getting There

As with all the trails in the American Fork Canyon area, access from the north is via Highway 92 straight up American Fork Canyon.

From the South, these trails can be accessed via Provo Canyon with a left at the Sundance turnoff. Continue past Sundance. You can start your ride at the Aspen Grove Parking lot to make this ride into a Lariat Loop, or continue up to the Summit Parking Area.

When to Bike

This is the highest trail in the American Fork system (except for the extreme northern portions of the Ridge 157 Trail) so it will be among the very last to open in spring.

The trail is generally open from Late May through early/mid November.The trail begins at the parking lot at the summit of the Alpine Loop. You will exit on the single track just to the left of the road as it enters the parking lot. You will make your first left, and follow this trail steeply upward.

After a quarter to half mile later, you will pass a trail that peels off to the right. This is a fun ride, but not covered here.

Continue on toward Horse Flat. You will make one especially steep, loose, rooty climb, and then the trail moderates.

Eventually, the trail will enter a large meadow, and you'll see a sign that reads simply, "Horse Flat"

Continue past the sign a short distance, and look for a trail marker to the left. You'll go left here (the right fork ends just over the next short hill). The trail continues to climb for a short distance before turning downhill.

This section of the trail is fairly new in 2007 and not yet well compacted (i.e. its dusty) It seems to be better suited to horse traffic than bikes.

The trail continues mostly downhill for over a mile. There are several tricky log drops that are placed so that they allow very little notice. If you don't see them, they are all good endo candidates. I'd ride cautiously your first time on this trail.

Eventually, the trail ends at a T-intersection with the Aspen Grove (or Summit if you prefer) Trail. Go left and in a quarter mile or so, you'll return to the Summit Parking Area.