Trail Overview
North Connector is a fast and flowy desert singletrack designed primarily for dirt bike riders looking to link the Mel's Loop staging area with the Westwater Trail System while enjoying a mix of rolling terrain and minor technical challenges. Spanning approximately 4.6 miles, this trail offers an engaging ride with a cumulative elevation gain of around 647 feet, climbing from a minimum elevation of 4,439 feet to a peak of 4,975 feet. The route kicks off as a narrow dirt path slicing through open grasslands and rolling hillsides dotted with sagebrush. As riders progress, the landscape transitions into rugged, rocky desert terrain characterized by loose rock, small ravines, and several minor rock slab ledges that present a moderate technical challenge without being overly daunting.
The trail features a series of rolling whoops that add a playful rhythm to the ride, though riders should remain alert as the path crosses multiple dirt roads. Each crossing is exceptionally well-marked, ensuring easy navigation as the route heads northeast toward the Overlook Trail in the Westwater Trail System. At the trail's end, riders are rewarded with a spectacular, expansive view of the canyon. With a technical rating of 3, the North Connector maintains a consistent, easy-to-moderate difficulty level throughout, making it an excellent option for riders wanting to add extra miles to Mel's Loop or establish a seamless connection to the broader Westwater trails. Because of its narrow singletrack classification, this trail is restricted to off-road motorcycles, meaning four-wheel-drive vehicles and SxSs cannot be accommodated.
Difficulty
This trial doesn't have any overly challenging obstacles, just several small ledges, and lots of whoops. It's an easy to moderate difficulty consistently throughout the trail.