Clear Creek Summit by Bicycle - Velo

Clear Creek Summit

I70's western most summit after its start from I15 is named North Creek Summit. On the east an older road paralleling the Interstate, one drainage away, makes for a perfect cycling route.

1.START-END EAST:jct US89 - Clear Creek Canyon Rd at Marysvale Canyon Th
2.Clear Creek Canyon Rd separates from I70
3.jct FR114 - Clear Creek Canyon Rd
4.TOP. Clear Creek Canyon Summit, immdediate after profile joins I70, 7180ft
5.START-END WEST:I70 exit 1, jct with Ut161

Approaches

From East. North Creek Canyon Road starts right across from the Marysville Canyon bike path trailhead. I see this as an excellent reason to combine riding the two.

North Creek Canyon Rd soon crosses I70 and then parallels it through Fremont Indian State Park. There are many petroglyphs visible from the road - if you have the eyesight of an eagle. For people with average vision or below, short trails lead to signs pointing them out. Soon after the State Park Visitor center, I70 and North Creek Canyon deviate into the adjacent ravine. Clear Creek Canyon is narrower, green and pleasant - no traffic. Climbing out of the valley the road reaches a short section with excellent views onto the Tushar Mountains. The summit is reached immediately before joining I70. There is a sign with elevation and name. So summit points on Clear Creek Canyon and North Creek Canyon are separtes points, but very close together.

From West. (also described upwards) I70 reaches a low point, just 1 mile after it starts from I15. Here at milepoint 1 is exit 1. One mile north leads to fort built during the 1870s for Blackfeet Indian hostilities. Today, a friendly pair of saintly hosts are there to elucidate its history, and take on any and all questions about its history. I was tempted to make a fairly long conversation even longer, but it was going to be a hot day.

This side of the profile follows I70 all the way. There is plenty of room on the right side of the rumble strip on a super spacious shoulder. Looking back, the country west of here consisits of drier, lower mountains, a transition between the Colorado Plateau and the Basin-and-Range topography.

Dayride with this point as highest summit:

COMPLETELY PAVED:

( < PST005 s(u) | > )

Clear Creek Summit x2: Partly up Clear Creek Canyon Rd > up Clear Creek Canyon Rd > Clear Creek Summit <> out and back down I 70 to exit 1 and turnaround point at Cove Fort >> down east side of I70 <> out and back from US89 exit on Marysvale Canyon bike path to turnaround point at Candy Mountain Trailhead >> west up Clear Creek Canyon Rd back to starting point: 58.7miles with 3570ft of climbing in 5:03hrs (garmin etrex30 m3:22.6.7)
Notes: beginning of a heat wave.