FATMAP by Strava

Pinecone -> CMG Shuttle

Brighton and Solitude

Park City and Deer Valley

Salt Lake City

Descend the delightful Pinecone Trail into the heart of PCMR.

Mountain Biking Moderate

Distance
18 km
Ascent
173 m
Descent
1 km
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
2.1 km
High Point
3 km
Gradient
Pinecone -> CMG Shuttle Map

The Pinecone Trail was finished in 2012, and this addition to the Park City trail system was lauded as a “bar-setting, blow your mind, instant classic kind of trail,” according to MountainTrails.org. While many people utilize this trail as a climbing route to reach the Wasatch Crest Trail, many riders logically opt to shuttle up to Guardsman Pass and ride Pinecone as a downhill shuttle run.

Description

If you choose to ride Pinecone as a shuttle, be very mindful of uphill traffic. Remember that downhill riders always yield to uphill riders. That said, “when the trail is taken downhill, sightlines are longer than almost any other Park City trail,” according to UtahMountainBiking.com.

With that caveat out of the way, Pinecone is a beautiful 4-mile stretch of downhill singletrack that bobs and weaves through the upper sections of PCMR. Low berms keep the speed up and the flow high. "Occasionally the trail breaks out of fir and aspen forest for views of the surrounding canyons,” according to UtahMountainBiking.

Once at the Mid Mountain Trail, take a right and continue down and across for a couple of miles. Look for a left turn onto CMG.

The upper section of CMG is technically a two-way trail, although most people descend it. The upper section is fast and wide-open, with a few rough rock sections to keep things interesting. None of the rock features are large or exceedingly technical, but they do provide a little entertainment and a welcome change from Park City's generally-smooth trail tread. As CMG winds around and down the mountain, beautiful views of Park City will open up below you.

The final section of CMG is downhill-only as it twists and turns through the dense forest near the base of the mountain. After swooping through a series of switchbacks, you’ll suddenly pop back out at the parking lot, asking yourself, “why does it have to be over already?!"

Sources: https://mountaintrails.org/pinecone-trial-gem-of-the-wasatch/ https://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/pinecone.htm

Difficulty

Moderate

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability, with unavoidable obstacles 8in/20cm tall or less. Other obstacles such as rock gullies and steep sections may exist. Ideal for lower intermediate riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between July and October

Features

  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area