On this particular morning I did an approximate 6.5 mile loop that starts at the Wheeler Creek Trailhead, goes up to the Art Nord Trailhead and then rides along the Maples Trail, and then splits off to take Icebox Canyon back to the Wheeler Creek Trail to loop back. Overal a very fun trail that I would highly recommend.Wheeler Creek Trail
The Wheeler Creek Trail is wide, a constant climb, although it is a fairly mild climb, that is consistently shaded and cool, with great views all along. While there are rocks that require some bumping over, it is a great trail to take a beginner on that will give them a taste of climbing.
The trail is only about 1.9 miles in length, and starts near the Pine View Dam in Ogden Canyon and rides up to the Art Nord Trailhead on the old Snowbasin Road. Through most of the trail the creek runs along the side of the trail down a steep ravine. On either side are canyon walls stretching up that make for a great view.
Maples TrailI've written about the Maples Trail before, but this trail takes off toward Snowbasin Resort from the Art Nord Trailhead, has a little more climbing than Wheeler, a lot more narrow, and is a lot more technical. I would classify this trail as an intermediate, maybe even an upper intermediate.
We didn't take this trail too far on this day, but time permitting I like to take it all the way to the campground so I can hit the Coldwater Overlook Trail. The trail had only recently opened up where we've had such a wet year, and with rain from the night before there were still some muddy spots than caused a few minor mechanical issues for me. This trail has a ton of gorgeous views, and covers what I would call lots of beautiful meadows, while also in some parts weaving in and out of shaded forest sections.
Icebox CanyonAt your first real intersection on Maples you can turn left to continue on the switchback up the Maples Trail, or you can go straight and start heading down into Icebox Canyon. This is a short trail that connects you back to Wheeler, and is especially nice to avoid one long climb on the way back on Maples. Highly recommend doing this section on the way back, although this section I would not classify as a beginner downhill.
The trail is mostly downhill, and has some steep technical sections that are a blast to ride, one section where you can try riding through the creek (pictured below) but I suggest carrying your bike and hopping on the rocks. It is a much cooler (tempature wise) trail, and on this morning, post night rainstorm, had a ton of soaked bushed that caused my gloves to become quite damp. The very end of the trail, right after the bridge, takes some quick steep climbing to rejoin Wheeler.
