The Bunker Creek Trail
This Day 18 of my Summer 2021 Arizona and Utah Roadtrip
I had always heard of Bunker Creek referred to as a classic must-do epic downhill. After an awesome day on this trail, I have to agree with statement. This is one of the longest most superbly sweet downhill cross-country trails I have ever done. This is one of the "Big Three" shuttles run out of Briainhead. At 11.6 miles long this singletrack route is going to have you smiling at some point for you sure. You will have to do some climbing along this route along the Sydney Peaks trail that is used to access the top of the Bunker Creek trail but the huffing and puffing will soon be replaced with earn to earn grins.
Bunker Creek (580'▲, 3,100'▼):
Other Awesomeness: Dark Hollow and Blowhard
Hazards: The Views! Seriously the killer views both near and far all along this route makes it easy to pull your attention from the trails for just enough milliseconds to get you in trouble.
- Brianhead Peak TH: The parking area is just shy of the summit. It is worth the quick stroll up to the summit for some photo ops.
- Lower TH - FS 081: This is a dirt pull out area on Forest Service Rd 81 just east of a bridge over a creek. It is near the town of Panquitch Lake Note: My GPS track ends at the Burger Barn in Panquitch Lake Resort where the shuttles can pick you up.
Shuttle Options: Dark Hollow, Bunker Creek and Blowhard Mountain trails are typically shuttle routes. There are three main shuttle services out of Brain head. I have only used Georg's Bike and Ski Shop.
Video
The days outing on Bunker Creek
Views along the trail
Along the Sydney Peaks Trail
Looking to the west towards Paragon
The little white strip is "Little Salt Lake"
Looking northish from the Sydney Peaks Trail
Along Bunker Creek
I believe Waldo is in this shot
I really wish I would have made more of an effort to see this place before the 2017 wildfires.
A non-fire damaged bit of trail
Along the Bunker Creek extenstion
Lower bits of Bunker CreekPRO TIP: (Graciously Passed onto me) Georg's Shuttle service is going to pick up in the Burger Barn Parking lot. When your server delivers your tasty grub, ask them to call Georg's and let them know you are here. Most folks will be just finishing up grub when the shuttle pickup get there. BOOM!
Along the Sydney Peaks Trail