We started exploring the route for the complete traversal of the Wasatch via mountain bikes on this ride. Had to choke down the dust up the Willard Peak Road for 3-4 miles before the 4 wheelers finally thinned out. From there it was still another 8 miles to the ridge, but it did get nicer as we ascended.

Payoff really started when we started the final climb above the lake in Willard Basin. Once we hit the ridge the riding was challenging, but supurb. The rocky cliffs you see driving north out of Ogden fell away below us but the trail was good as long as I kept my vertigo in check. We started seeing the mountain goats before we reached the first subridge and then we came on the main herd. 50 -100 white shaggy beasts call this area home. I think they are the main ursers of the trail - we saw a single person (another mountain biker) from Willard Basin to the top of Ben Lomand

Once on the peak it was nothing but a 3000 foot descent down some great single track to North Ogden Pass. First there was the steep switchbacks, still covered in snow on the last weekend in July! Then another 20 or so ass puckering tight turns until we reached the Ben Lomand saddle. Then it just flowed, on and on for 10 miles downhill, starting in the alpine, past the rocky spine, through the handlebar high wildflowers, into the lush forrest canopy and the tree tunnel, finally ending on the hot rocky switchbacks before the pass. Whew! That was about as good as mountain biking gets.