Trails and Routes
Full Aquarius Trail Hut System Map
Day 1 Itinerary & Trails
Ride from Brian Head to Hatch
Stay at the Hatch Hut
Mountain Bike: 36 miles
Electric Mountain Bike: 35.5 miles
ATHS Staff will NOT meet you at Brian Head. You start this trip on your own and we plan on your arrival at the first hut as our meeting spot. Your adventure begins at Brian Head Peak (11,307), where you descend the exciting Bunker Creek Singletrack. Mountain Bike Action Magazine rated this Singletrack as one of the top ten best trails in America! It descends 2,885 feet over 12 miles to Panguitch Lake where we catch an exciting and fun 15-mile route through ponderosa and juniper forests—dappled with ancient lava beds and rolling meadows—to the Hatch Hut in Hatch, Utah.
Day 2 Itinerary & Trails
Ride from Hatch to Red Canyon
Stay at the Butch Cassidy Hut
Mountain Bike: 28.3 miles
Evening Add on Ride: 13 miles
Electric Mountain Bike: 28.3 miles
Energize with a hearty breakfast for this morning’s invigorating eight-mile, 2,500-foot climb through Proctor Canyon to the top of Sunset Cliffs! Sunset Cliffs is the mountain border for the Bryce Canyon Valley. After viewing the stunning scenery, you descend eight miles to Tropic Reservoir, and take a plunge in the crisp (yet refreshing) waters. Cruise a 19-mile section of the Great Western Trail to Red Canyon. Once you get to the hut take a little time for hiking or opt for the Cassidy Loop in Red Canyon. Enjoy sunset over beautiful Red Canyon.
Day 3 Itinerary & Trails
Ride from Red Canyon to Pine Lake
Stay at the Pine Lake Hut
Mountain Bike: 42.7 miles
Electric Mountain Bike: 23 miles
Get ready for some of the best single-track in Utah–Red Canyon. From the hut, ride down Thunder Mountain Trail through the beautiful hoodoos of Red Canyon. From here cross Highway 12 and ride up to the Casto Canyon trailhead, passing many amazing views of Slate Mountain and Powell Point. Casto Canyon, crosses a small creek bed up to 44 times before eventually meeting up with jeep roads that cross the high planes of Bryce Canyon country to Pine Lake Hut. Pine Lake is a nice relaxing lake where you can fish or swim and cool off for the evening.
Day 4 Itinerary & Trails
Ride from Pine Lake to Clayton Springs
Stay at the Aquarius Hut
Mountain Bike: 27.5 miles
Optional Ride to Powell Point: 9.1 miles
Optional Ride to Barker Reservoir: 9.7 miles
Electric Mountain Bike: 27.5 miles
Today you will climb to the top of the Aquarius Trails namesake – the Aquarius Plateau! Get ready for the BIG climb -2,200 feet over 10 miles to the top of Barney Top 10, 577 feet. On your way to the top, don’t forget to ride out to Powell Point (an optional 8-mile out and back ride to a vista overlooking southern Utah). Once back on route, continue onto Barney Top and across spectacular high meadows to the Aquarius Hut at Clayton Springs. If you are still thriving for another ride, opt to ride down to Barker Reservoir and back. The ride drops 500 feet to the reservoir so don’t forget you have a climb back to the hut!
Day 5 Itinerary & Trails
Ride from Clayton Springs to Hell’s Backbone
Stay at the Hell’s Backbone Hut
Mountain Bike: 29.8 miles
Electric Mountain Bike: 30.7 miles
There are two different ride options from the Aquarius Hut to the midpoint at Posey Lake. Take the non-technical ride on Hell’s Backbone Road or choose the backcountry singletrack ride on the Great Western Trail. Each is very different. The dirt road option is across big open meadows with antelope roaming freely while riding along the mountain singletrack, you will be challenged to technical riding and more climbing (climb 2,500 feet and descend 3,300 feet over the first 15 miles). Choose to stop at Posy Lake where, time permitting, you might have the opportunity to do some hiking around the lake. (If you are on a 5 day 4 night hut adventure, this is where you leave the Aquarius Trail and drop down the short route back to Escalante). From here choose dirt road or then ride cowpuncher 5 mile singletrack to Cowpuncher Guard Station and Blue Spruce Campground. From here both options collide into the ride up to Hell’s Backbone Bridge and across Box Death Hollow Wilderness and then finally descending to Hell’s Backbone Hut at Sand Creek.
This is a BIG Day if you ride all the singletrack.
Day 6 Itinerary & Trails
Ride from Hell’s Backbone to Escalante
Mountain Bike: 35.7 miles
Electric Mountain Bike: 35.7 miles
Passing through various vegetation zones, today’s ride borders the Box Death Hollow Wilderness. Continue riding along Hell’s Backbone Road until you reach Scenic Highway 12. From here it is a beautiful ride along the Hogback back to Escalante. Along the way, stop at Calf Creek and cool off in the crystal clear waters. Optional 3 mile hike to Calf Creek Falls is a great side trip as well. This 128 foot waterfall is nothing shy of amazing! One big climb on the road after Calf Creek is followed by a gradual descent to Escalante to conclude your 190 mile adventure!
Pricing and Availability
We are currently taking reservations for the entire Aquarius Trail Hut System.