Backyard Adventureneering

Consider the bicycle. Unlike other one-dimensional sporting goods, say a ball, bat, club, or racket, the bicycle is intertwined with a cyclists’ day-to-day lifestyle. On a most basic level, a bike functions as a utility – offering an efficient mode of transport whether it’s to work, the grocery, or to the corner pub. Others partake in pedal pushing not simply to get from point A to B, but for the health and wellness benefits that come along with it. Children who receive a bike at a young age find their first taste of independence through mobility and the discovery of new and far-off places once deemed unaccessible by foot and parental supervision.

Perhaps this is what holds the most appeal to us about mountain biking, which takes exploration under one’s own power to another level. While manicured flow trails and park laps are fun, nothing can replace the thrill of beating your own path by two wheels, even if it is the same backyard trail you’ve come to know like your favorite shammy or some remote, bucket-list destination.

It’s in this spirit of the backyard adventure that inspired the Sky to Sea ride. The basic concept was simple – pedal our bikes as high as we can, and descend to the lake (utilizing as much singletrack as possible), where we’d hop aboard a boat and drink away the ensuing soreness. While no new trails were blazed, or far off treasures found, we’d venture to bet that we’re among the first who have ever connected these particular dots; doing so, simply for the sake of doing.

Sky to Sea Shuttle Stop

The ride started aboard Park City Transit’s Purple Bus allowing for us to get a quick 1,500’ boost up the hill. Here we’d link up with the Mid Mountain Trail before beginning our ascent up to the top of Guardsman Pass.

Guardsman Pass

The “sky” portion of the Sky to Sea ride, elevation – 9,766′. From here, it’s mostly-ish downhill.

Dead Tree Trail

Like old school, hand cut, fall-line, singletrack? Then Dead Tree is the trail for you.

Deer Crest to Spin Cycle

With the finish line in sight, we can practically hear that first crack of a beer.

Jordanelle Reservoir

Total mileage clocked in around 25 miles with a touch over 2,800′ of total elevation gain for the day. Our end elevation was 6,250′ which made for close to a 3,500′ descent, albeit with some intermittent pedaling.

Big thanks to James and Michelle for indulging me and my ideas as well as stopping to pose for photos along the way. Also, much thanks to Marine Products & Wake Utah, for sponsoring the day and providing a suitable floating vessel for our post-ride, beer drinking, recovery plan.