View Benchmark summit.

This photo shows the summit area of View Benchmark, looking north east at the community of Suncrest with Lone Peak commanding the backdrop.

This particular summit has been the primary destination for a new run I put together in May of 2011. There is access only about 2.5 miles and 600 vertical feet below, however that is much too short for a good workout. The route I've found to be the best starts from the Orson Smith Trailhead in Draper, climbs the Corner Canyon road up to the Traverse Ridge divide. A rugged doubletrack then leads over to the community of Suncrest. Once at Suncrest about 2 miles of paved roads then leads to the normal trailhead for View Benchmark, gaining and loosing some altitude along the way.

The last section of View Benchmark is after a gated section leaving the paved road, then onto a sand/gravel doubletrack for 2.5 miles and roughly 600 vertical feet. Portions of this are flat, then a stiff climb. An old jeep track leads off to the south after just under two miles to the south. This old jeep track ranges from tech 3-5, steep rutted sections, looping steep rock/gravel on the upper ridge, then finally the summit. After about 28 times doing this run this season, I've only been able to clean this last section about 10 times, usually a day or two after rain has consolidated the deep sandy rock/gravel up there. The rest of the time I often find myself "rooster tailing" the rear tire on portions of this.

The climb from Orson Smith trailhead to the summit is 7.5 miles and a climb of 2,000 feet. Usually it takes 1 hour 10 minutes to ascend, and descending can be done in half an hour. All in all one of the best warm-up rides found here yet! Photo taken July 28, 2011.