The Run
NOTE: registration for the Spinal Tap Trail 50 Miler has been consolidated with the Crimson Canyon Ultra registration page. Please go to the UltraSignup link below to register:
https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=111135
The Spinal Tap Trail was completed the fall of 2022, and is an 18 mile long downhill mountain bike trail, descending from White Pine Peak (10,200 feet) down to Richfield with a descent gradually dropping 4650 feet over the distance.. This trail is the signature center of the 50 mile distance. It took a dedicated crew of engineers and workers three years (2020-2022) to build.
Before starting the Spinal Tap downhill trail, runners will first climb to the summit of White Pine Peak, at an elevation of 10,200 feet (3110 meters). Getting there will be a primitive adventure challenge, with about a 4 mile climb on cow paths along Willow Creek (South Fork) and then another 4 miles up a wide non-technical ridgeline.
Some Details
Total Distance: 50 Miles (80km)
Total Vertical Gain: 8510 feet / 2594 meters
Start: 5:00 am (get much of the climbing knocked out early)
End: 11:00 pm (18 hours final cut-off)
7 Aid Stations with a good spread of options.
Required Items: a) Personal hydration for all runners, b) the course map loaded onto a phone or other mapping device. The climb to White Pine Peak (miles 7 to 15) will be in back country areas following cow trails and minimally used human trails. The only course markings in this section will be to assist in the transition from the streambed to the ridgeline. A personal water filter is an option for this section as well.
Routing Details
The different sections of the Spinal Tap Trail are referred to as Upper, Middle, and Lower Spinal Tap (see Trailforks.com ). It starts on tippy top of the Pahvant Range just below White Pine Peak, with open meadows, Aspen forests and expansive views. The middle section drops into red rock country, with the trail carved back and forth down and across Little Valley. The lower section has very unique slick rock sections. So you descend through several biomes!.
Check out this ride video of all sections of the trail, where the rider titled his video, "Maybe the Best MTB Trail I've Ever Ridden!"
Approximate Distances
Miles 0-3: Canal road and streambed to the Ken's Canyon
Miles 4-5: Up Ken's Canyon on cow trails
Miles 6-7: Aid Station #1, and on up Trail 105
Miles 7-11: Willow Creek (South Fork) on cow trails adjacent a stream
Miles 12-14 Ridgeline climb
Miles 15-17: Final summit climb to White Pine Peak and back down dirt road
Miles 17-35: Spinal Tap Trail descent. Aid Stations at mile 17 & 25, with a water drop at mile 31
Miles 35-38: Dairy Canyon ascent and out Flat Canyon
Miles 38-40: Cathedral Canyon loop
Miles 40-44: Up Trail #84 to Little Valley Overlook Aid Station
Miles 44-50: Pahvant Mountain Bike Trails down (One-in-a-Pinion, Faulty, Cairn-Age, & Big Red trails)
Note: miles 35 to 50 follow the 25km route. Please see crimsoncanyons.com for more info and detail on this section.
Here is a YouTube video of the first full descent of the Spinal Tap trail the week it was completed by some of the construction committee members.
Lower Spinal Tap (the bottom 4 miles), which has a good amount of slick rock, has been touted the past several years since it opened, as one of the greatest bike trails ever created in Utah.
Come experience the full trail!
