Overview
The Richardson Canyon Loop earns its difficulty rating honestly. At 17.5 miles with 2,350 feet of climbing spread across a route that combines doubletrack, OHV trail, and singletrack in roughly equal measure, this is a sustained effort through some of the most remote terrain accessible from Garden City without a shuttle or an overnight bag. The Bear River Range here is limestone and quartzite, the trails share the system with ATVs and side-by-sides, and the conditions after rain turn sections that were merely difficult into negotiations.
The loop threads together Hodges Canyon and Richardson Canyon through the South Sinks area — a landscape of sinkholes, conifer forest, and high ridgelines that most Bear Lake visitors never see because it requires leaving the lake loop and actually climbing. The Hodges Canyon portion descends roughly 1,800 feet over 5-plus miles of doubletrack, making it a popular shuttle when ridden alone. The Richardson Canyon side adds technical climbing with deep ruts, rocks, and fallen debris that demand full attention. Connecting them into a loop adds distance and complexity but removes the logistical hassle of a vehicle shuttle.
This ride is for experienced mountain bikers on full-suspension bikes with wide tires. Riders who show up on hardtails with 2.1s will get through it, but they'll be working harder in the rocky sections and walking more of the technical descent. June through September is the window; early July into August gives you the best chance at dry trail conditions, though the creek crossings in Hodges Canyon are present regardless of season.
The Route
Park near the Hodges Canyon Road trailhead off US-89 in Garden City. The road is paved for about a quarter mile before turning to gravel and then trail.
Miles 0–2: Garden City to Upper Hodges Canyon The climb begins immediately on doubletrack heading up Hodges Canyon Road. The lower section is gated and multi-use — hikers, ATVs, and the occasional horse share the corridor. The gradient is sustained but not punishing as you gain the canyon, moving through scrub oak and into pine. Get your tire pressure and bike setup sorted before this section because there's nowhere useful to stop once the terrain commits.
Miles 2–7.5: Upper Hodges Canyon Descent The trail tips over and descends — roughly 1,800 feet over five miles on doubletrack that has been significantly rutted by ATV and side-by-side traffic. Two creek crossings appear mid-descent; both are rideable when the water is low, both are better walked when it's running high. The ruts are the main technical feature: they're deep, irregular, and positioned in spots where you'll be carrying speed you'd rather keep. Track your line early and commit. The forest in this section is old and quiet when the OHVs aren't around — aspen and fir, with occasional views through the trees toward Bear Lake far below.
Miles 7.5–11: South Sinks Connection Near the base of Hodges Canyon, the trail connects through the South Sinks area toward Richardson Canyon. This transitional section passes near Peter Sinks — a natural limestone sinkhole basin that holds the record for some of the coldest recorded temperatures in the continental United States due to cold air pooling. The terrain here is flatter and the riding easier, but pay attention to navigation: the Sinks trail system has multiple spurs and the junction to Richardson Canyon requires finding the correct fork. When in doubt, stay high rather than dropping back toward the highway.
Miles 11–15: Richardson Canyon Climb This is the crux. Richardson Canyon climbs 1,645 feet over 4.4 miles on trail that earns its description: deep ruts, loose rock, embedded limestone slabs, and sections where fallen trees or erosion have narrowed the corridor to bike-plus-breathing-room. The gradient hits steep stretches that most riders will walk at least once. Do not be ashamed of this. The trail rewards persistence and punishes ego. Views of Bear Lake emerge as you gain elevation, bright turquoise through gaps in the forest, which is exactly the kind of mid-suffer reminder of why this is worth doing.
Miles 15–17.5: Descent to Garden City The final descent from Richardson Canyon drops back toward the trailhead area near Garden City. The surface is a mix of dirt singletrack and doubletrack — faster and cleaner than the upper sections, but watch for loose rock in the final mile where the trail steepens before hitting the road. Roll back to your car, drink everything you have left, and sit down.
What to Bring
- Full suspension bike with 2.3" tires or wider — the ruts and creek crossings are genuinely rough; narrower tires work but make everything harder
- Extra water beyond what you think you need — the climb on Richardson Canyon is slow going and the mid-loop section has no resupply
- Navigation — GPS or downloaded route; the Sinks junction is confusing and the trail markers are not always obvious
- Tools and tube — you're miles from the trailhead through terrain where getting out on foot is a long walk
- Dry bag or zip-lock for phone — the creek crossings on Hodges are real
Local Tips
- Best window: July to mid-September; the trail dries best from mid-July onward, and September brings cooler temps and fewer ATVs on weekdays. Avoid riding within 48 hours of rain — the ruts hold water and the clay sections become treacherous.
- Shuttle option: Hodges Canyon alone, with a car at the top and a car at the bottom, is a legitimately great intermediate ride — 5.8 miles of descent from 7,700 to 6,000 feet. Worth knowing if the full loop feels like too much.
- Start early: ATV and OHV traffic picks up significantly on summer weekend afternoons. The morning window is cleaner and cooler.
- Post-ride: Garden City is right there. LaBeau's Drive Inn on Bear Lake Boulevard does raspberry shakes that are genuinely restorative after a hard effort in the hills. Sit outside, pour some water on your head, and let the sugar do its work.