Bear Lake/Highline Trail

The Scenic Marathon of Northern Utah

The Highline Trail isn’t just another dirt bike ride - it’s a journey along the spine of the Bear River Mountains with views that rival anything in the Rockies. On clear days, you can see from the Tetons to the Uintas while riding technical single track that’ll keep you honest.

Why Ride the Highline?

This isn’t desert slickrock or forest two-track. The Highline is legitimate high-alpine single track that happens to be moto-legal. The trail contours along ridgelines, drops into aspen-filled basins, and climbs back to rocky ridges where the turquoise waters of Bear Lake spread out 3,000 feet below.

Trail Sections Breakdown

Tony Grove to Naomi Peak (Intermediate)

Starting from Tony Grove Lake (elevation 8,050’), the trail climbs steadily through sub-alpine meadows before reaching the Naomi Peak wilderness boundary. This 8-mile section offers flowing single track with manageable rock gardens. The wildflower display in late July is unmatched in Utah.

The Ridge Traverse (Advanced)

Once you hit the ridgeline, things get serious. The next 10 miles follow the crest with exposure on both sides. Technical rock sections require precise line choice, and the loose decomposed granite will test your clutch control. The views? Worth every sketchy moment.

Descent to Garden City (Intermediate)

The final descent drops 2,500 feet over 4 miles. Upper sections are steep and loose, transitioning to fast flowing trail through aspen groves. Watch for hikers and mountain bikers - this section gets heavy traffic on weekends.

Access Points & Logistics

Primary Staging Areas:

1. Tony Grove Lake: Most popular start point
   • Pros: Facilities, established parking, scenic
   • Cons: $7 day use fee, crowded weekends
   • Coordinates: 41.8967, -111.5644
2. Franklin Basin: Technical alternative access
   • Pros: Free, less crowded, connects to full trail system
   • Cons: Rough access road, no facilities
   • Coordinates: 41.9234, -111.5123
3. Garden City: Northern terminus
   • Pros: Food and lodging nearby, lake access
   • Cons: Long climb to start, tourist traffic
   • Coordinates: 41.9389, -111.3917

The Multi-Day Option

For the full experience, consider the 2-day traverse:

• Day 1: Tony Grove to Franklin Basin (camp)
• Day 2: Franklin Basin to Garden City to Logan Canyon loop

Pack light - there’s no support between access points.

Local Intel

Seasonal Notes:

• Snow lingers into July most years
• August is prime time but also busiest
• September offers solitude and fall colors
• Afternoon storms build fast - start by 7 AM

Trail Conditions:

• Well-maintained by local moto clubs
• Rocky sections get loose by late summer
• Muddy for 2 weeks after snow melt
• Check with Hardware Ranch Trading Post for current conditions

What to Bring:

• Extra fuel (no services for 50+ miles)
• Tools for rock damage (spare levers recommended)
• Layers - temps can swing 30 degrees
• Real food - you’ll be out all day
• Camera - seriously, the views are insane

Technical Challenges

The Stairs (Mile 8): Series of ledgy climbs that’ll test your clutch Knife Edge (Mile 12): Narrow ridge with exposure - walk it if needed The Chute (Mile 18): Steep loose descent - momentum is your friend

Emergency Planning

• Evacuation Points: Tony Grove, Franklin Basin road, Garden City
• Nearest Hospital: Logan Regional (45 miles from Tony Grove)
• Search & Rescue: Cache County Sheriff
• InReach/SPOT: Highly recommended - no cell coverage on ridge

The Verdict

The Highline Trail is what Utah moto riders dream about when stuck in the desert heat. It’s challenging enough to keep experts engaged while offering bail-out options for intermediate riders. The combination of technical riding, alpine scenery, and that Bear Lake blue makes this a bucket list ride.

Just remember: this isn’t a race course. The mountain has been here a lot longer than you have. Ride with respect, pack out what you pack in, and save some energy for the ride out - because you’ll want to do it again. EOF < /dev/null