Touring - Utah Cliffs Loop?

Any experiences? I would like to know how off road the off road sections are. I would prefer to take my Surly LHT, even if I have to stick some fatter tires on, vice my 29r.

I have a tiny bit of experience. I did a bit of it this spring - a very tiny bit. I have two tips. Heading north from St. George, the bike path starts right next to the big road - Bluff Street. I tried to head up a residential street the way it appeared on the map, dead-ended at the golf course, backtracked, and found the bike path. As I recall, you can get on the bike path right where Diagonal Street runs into Bluff Street.

The other problem I had was that the turn off of Snow Canyon Parkway onto the road to Snow Canyon Park was difficult to find. Coming from town there was no sign (I double-checked.) I went about a mile past until my odometer told me I had clearly gone too far, went back, and saw a small sign noting the turn. Snow Canyon was beautiful, by the way.

That's the extent of my knowledge. I was by myself and didn't feel prepared to undertake the whole loop, so I went back to St. George from Snow Canyon and then rode up to Zion Canyon, where I spent three days and nights. Wonderful!

I was by myself and didn't feel prepared to undertake the whole loop, so I went back to St. George from Snow Canyon and then rode up to Zion Canyon, where I spent three days and nights. Wonderful!

What was it that you felt unprepared for? I purchased the ACA map set last winter and had hoped to do the loop this Sept, but my plans changed for this year. I remember that the loop went thru a number of towns, where it looked like there would be services. The only "out there' section that I remember was a long streech of road up to Cedar Breaks. I really think it is just a wonderful loop thru the canyonlands.

Well, partly it was because the ACA map says the route should only be undertaken by groups of at least three people - so if one gets hurt, one can ride for help while the third stays with the injured party. I'm a worry-wart, and that kind of thing infects my mind like a virus!

Also I'd like to do it with my hardtail mountain bike, pulling a Bob trailer and I've never toured on it.

Also, it was spring and the weather can be iffy. (As it was it snowed at Zion while I was there.)

Also, Zion Canyon is one of my favorite places on earth, and I was happy to change my plans to get more time there.

I'd love to find some friends and go give the whole Cliffs Loop a try one of these days. It should be specatacular!

Do you think a 700c 37mm tires would work ok, or would you recommend fatter tires? And I am planing on this september, you are welcome to come.

I never got off the road so I can't help you. I'm back in school starting today so getting away in September is out. Thanks anyway!

This is probably the most interesting of the ACA routes. (not very easy)

I myself would (did) skip the added miles and use I15. Very pleasurable. Visit Zion North do some back country camping.
Cedar city to Cedar breaks (which the route doesn't even go there) is 4,000 feet of climbing in 23 miles. Don't plan on cycling to many miles that day. But do visit Cedar Breaks!!!!

I would like to try this routing once to see why they choose this. Lots off roading in the middle of nowhere. With routing like this
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X019L0
SR 59/Unsigned red dirt gravel rd




I mean the potential for getting lost is so real.

Do you think a 700c 37mm tires would work ok, or would you recommend fatter tires? And I am planing on this september, you are welcome to come.


While there's always someone who say they can ride off road on 32mm tires or something, bigger is going to be better off road. 42-45mm tires would be great(actual width, not stated by mfr.) Up to 50mm would be even better, but the clearance is tight.