By Lukas Brinkerhoff – I’m out of breath. The slightly thinner air and cooler temps have their effect, but the reality is that I’m chasing Josh Howlin’ Wolfe and when you chase the Wolfe, you will be out of breath. We’ve been weaving our way through the pinyons, junipers, and basalt rocks trying to keep the rubber side down while also keeping it rowdy and fast.
The trail is tight, rocky and we’re climbing. The uphill is one of those where you can tell you are climbing but it doesn’t ever feel like a grind. There’s plenty of swooping turns, grade reversals, and rocky obstacles to keep our minds occupied and our breathing heavy.
But we didn’t come for the climb.
We roll up and stop at the Schurtz Canyon Overlook. The pyramid shaped peaks are red in the morning light popping out above the pinyon and juniper trees surrounding their flanks. It feels appropriate to take a few minutes and admire our surroundings. Schurtz Canyon opens up before us to the east and the greater Cedar Valley to the west. As we survey the views, Wolfe points out the reward for our effort, the new Breaks Trail rolls out below us. I can see its flowing singletrack and sweeping berms through the trees.
We’re giddy to get droppin’.
The Breaks Trail was finished last fall but left “unopened” due to the weather and soft tread. It is now open and is a ripping riot of a trail to ride.
Trail construction in Cedar City exploded about a decade ago. The BLM, County and City all came together to plan out a trail system that would incorporate singletrack, bike paths, and trailheads. The first trails Lichen It and Lava Flow were instant hits and remain go-to favorites today. Since then, the BLM and IMBA have been building out the vision of that original plan. The Iron Hills Trail System (aka Southview) now boasts 27 trails ranging from the green and relatively flat Turnpike to the black level Bone Yard.
Located on the Southern end of the trail system, the Breaks gives riders a second option for dropping down from the Schurtz Canyon Overlook. Built a few years ago, Bone Yard was originally the only option and as an Expert Level trail, was not for everyone.
In contrast to Bone Yard, the Breaks Trail is definitely an easier ride. There are no big doubles, not a lot of rock, and the tread is wide from top to bottom. What it does share is the fast, flowy nature of its big brother. The Breaks has huge berms that allow you to carry as much speed as you dare around the corners. The swooping trail has some alternative features to keep you excited. One feature in particular is a set of rollers going into a big bermed turn. With enough speed, those rollers can easily be turned into a double that lands you into the start of the turn where you can whip right out the other side.
The Breaks Trail adds a nice downhill that can be used for intermediate riders who want to ramp up their skills and learn the techniques needed to bomb Bone Yard. The berms are similar and there are plenty of “rollers” that can be jumped into nice transitions to show you how to leave the ground safely.
The quickest access to the trail is to start at the Pyramid Canyon Trailhead. Take Turnpike up to Elevate and then use Lava Link to get to Tombstone. Climb Tombstone and you’ll find yourself at the overlook and ready to drop in. The Breaks is not directional. You should be sure to stay in control of your speed and keep an eye out for riders climbing up. Inversely, if you choose to climb this trail, you should do your best to make your presence known.
After a couple of pics at the overlook, we’re ready to drop in. Wolfe lets out one of his signature howls and off we go. I’ve got him to follow, but it’s my first time down the trail and I’m on a loaned bike for reasons we won’t go into. I’m having a riot but also struggling to keep him within eyesight. We whip down the trail giggling as the giant berms flow from one turn to the next in what feels like an endless roller coaster.
The tread is still damp from the rain that came down the night before giving us that dreamt about hero dirt. With berms the size of VW bugs and traction like Velcro, we do our best to hold as much speed through the turns as possible. At times, it feels like we are going to catch the end of our bars on the ground. Howls, giggles, and hootin’ hollers are heard as we rip through the trail.
We stop a few times on the way down for high fives and shared stoke.
I know we have hit the bottom when the character of the trail goes from wide open speed to tight rocks and narrow singletrack. The Breaks is a fun, long descent, but like all downhill trails, it still seems to end a bit early. We roll back to the cars at the trailhead with grins that can only be generated by a rippin’ morning ride.
Getting There:
From I-15, take Exit 57 in Cedar for Main Street.
