Overview
Virgin River Rim Trail is an IMBA Epic. Tackle it in pieces or arrange a shuttle, but however you do it, it's a life-list trail.Trail Description
High altitude (8000+ feet the whole way) and its length make this trail a seriously difficult ride for flatlanders. It's up-and-down the whole way, but an absolute blast to ride. Rocky singletrack that twists and dives through aspen and fir along the Virgin River Rim near Cedar Breaks NM supplies awe-inspiring views while you grind up steep, rocky climbs and bomb through rock gardens and over roots on perpetually-firm-and-grippy loam. I prefer to break this into two chunks, riding from a base camp at Navajo Lake. There's a great 11-mile loop around Navajo Lake that serves as a good warm-up/acclimation ride. From the Te-Ah campground, ride across the one-lane road to look for the trailhead. Climb to the Virgin River Rim trail, ride Southeast along the ridge, looking for the Lava Fields spur, ride a sweet, switchbacked descent and cross Navajo Lake Road. Ride through the lava field at the East end of Navajo Lake and around its North side and enjoy the fast, swoopy descent back to the campground. Day 2: Ride back up to the Rim and turn right, riding mostly downhill out-and-back to the Wood Ranch trailhead and returning uphill to Navajo Lake and your campsite. Day 3: Ride up to the Rim and head Southeast to the Strawberry Point trailhead and return. Either day you can return via the trail or the slightly less-aerobically-difficult Hwy 14, just watch out for yahoos speeding around blind corners.Getting There
Exit I-15 at SR 14 East in Cedar City and drive uphill for about 45 minutes; 7.3 miles past the junction with SR-148, turn right onto Navajo Lake Road for the Navajo Lake campgrounds.For a shuttle, park one car at the Wood Ranch trailhead about 6 miles West of the 148/14 junction and park one car at Strawberry Point. Make a point in mid-Spring to visit Cascade Falls, a short hike from Strawberry Point -- this waterfall flows from a lava cave that drains from somewhere under Navajo Lake and emerges from the cliff face below the Virgin River Rim.