Mud Springs is a fairly technical, mostly downhill romp that connects the Ridge 157 to either the Tibble Fork trail, or if you keep going, the Mill Canyon trail (both of which continue down to Tibble Fork Reservoir).

Trail Description

The trail is generally ridden as part of a shuttled ride (unless you like lots of pavement, or really steep trail climbs).

Its upper end connects to the Ridge 157 about half way between the Pine Hollow trail, and the Tibble Fork Trail.

It starts with about 3/4 mile climb. This is where the 400 feet of climbing is; you'll have done significant climbing just to get to this point on other trails, so no matter how you ride it, you'll climb way more than this 400 feet. The climb ends at a saddle where the trail forks. The Mud Springs ride continues by going straight (right) at this unmarked intersection. If you go left, the trail makes its way out to a beautiful overlook of American Fork Canyon. I highly recommend this detour if you have time. The cliff-top overlook is amazing!

Once you head downhill from this intersection, the real fun begins. This is where Mud Springs becomes more technical. There are lots of blind curves, many roots with fun drops, and a few rock hazards. Its not Evil Knievel stuff, but challenging enough that newbies should avoid this trail, or face the fractured collar bone...

Early in the year, expect deadfall, loose rocks and deep ruts, but by mid July, this trail is ready to ROCK.

About 2/3's of the way down, you will intersect the Tibble Fork Trail. So many riders go left here and descend Tibble, that this route is very well travelled and you may not even notice that Mud Springs continues straight ahead. If you want to stay with Mud, and you find that you've merged onto Tibble, go back up Tibble about 20 yards and you'll see where Mud Springs continues.

Mud will climb briefly up to a scenic Aspen lined meadow before descending sharply again toward the Mill Canyon Trail.

Once you hit Mill Canyon, go left and continue to descend. This trail will intersect the Tibble Fork River immediately before it enters Tibble Fork Reservoir. You can take the wet route across the river (its rideable from mid-summer on, but exercise caution in early summer as the river carries lots of run-off and can be hazardous). If you don't like to wet your bb, pivot and hub bearings, there is a short hike-a-bike along the near shore of the lake over to the dam.

Getting There

This ride is in American Fork Canyon, and is generally ridden from Ridge 157 (described elsewhere) down to Tibble Fork Reservoir.

My riding group generally leaves a shuttle vehicle at the reservoir, or down at the Tibble Fork turnoff in AF Canyon. We then shuttle up to Timpanooke, or any of several other trail access points, and put together a 9-12 mile point to point including portions of Pine Hollow and/or Deer Creek S. Fork, and a mandatory section of Ridge 157.

When to Bike

Mud Springs is sometimes rideable in late May, but should be clear of snow and dry by mid-June even in the wettest years.