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Print Friendly MapIn 2002, the non-profit Weber Pathways opened the Weber Pathways Rail Trail on a railbanked Union Pacific Railroad corridor. The 10-mile line was once the Little Mountain Branch Railroad, constructed in 1971 to carry salt and other minerals from the Great Salt Lake to the railroad's main line. Weber Pathways left the original railroad mile markers in place along the trail today, providing a reminder of the trail's history.
The rustic rail-trail passes through wetlands and over creeks, with dramatic views of the Wasatch Range in the distance. An abundance of wildlife calls the area home, including several bird species. In fact, from March to September, the western 3 miles of trail beyond 6700 W. are closed in order to protect the birds' fragile nesting habitat.
In the near future, the trail will be extended north from 4000 N. into Box Elder County. When complete, this segment—using another portion of the same former rail corridor—will end just west of US 89.
Parking for the Weber Pathways Rail Trail is available at the County Line Trailhead on 4000 N. (approximately 1 mile west of the Smith & Edwards store on 2000 W.). Additional parking can be found at the Harold Crane Trailhead at the northern end of 6700 W., but this lot and adjacent section of trail are closed from March to September.
If I had a horse or a fat bike, maybe, but I won’t be coming back on my road bike fitted with 32mm Schwalbe Marathoners. As another reviewer said, it’s rocks, not gravel. And heading west, there is absolutely nothing to see that would make the difficult ride through the desert worth it.
I rode this from the trailhead at 4000 N and 2000 W on a full-suspension mountain bike, to the last gate after which the trail is not graded but is just piles of ballast, about 8 miles one way. Beyond there, I could see railcars sitting on the tracks. There are several gates of varying construction and difficulty in negotiating that must be opened and closed as you travel. The trail surface varies from hard-packed sand to very course and loose rocks. I would not recommend skinny tires on this one. I encountered no thorns or goatheads. Lots of little snakes basking on the trail, take care not to run over them. Very quiet and isolated place. Might consider a fatbike ride when the snow comes.
The trail is exactly what you'd expect from a rail trail: straight for long stretches, some turns, and very level. It's a raised one-lane gravel/dirt road, though motorized vehicles are not allowed. My wife and I started at the eastern trail head at W 4000 N St. / S 2000 W St., and ran out and back for an hour.
The trail was plenty roomy for running. 2-3 miles in I saw some shotgun shells, so someone uses it for clay pigeons or hunting sometimes. I would not use a road bike on it, and it may be a bit bumpy for jogging strollers.
A nice, quiet trail.
4.5 miles traveling from east to west, we gave up. This trail is not gravel. it is rocks and thorns and bushes. Our totally optimistic attitude did provide us the ability to appreciate the desert landscape. If it were a smooth paved trail it would be worth the trip.
This trail is not very good for a Tri-cycle due to balast and softness from Farmers vehicle use.
Only pedaled a very short distance. Would be okay for Mountain Bikes. Noel Keller 29 Sep 10
"We were eager to take a cool, early morning ride on the Little Mountain Trail on our way from Colorado to Yellowstone. Following the clear instructions, we arrived easily at the trailhead, only to find that this end of the trail is closed from March 1 to September 1 because of nesting. The trail runs through a wildlife management area.
Only upon returning home was I able to dig deeper into the trail website to find that there is another trailhead than the one described on the RTC website.
Don't make the same mistake we did."
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