St. George's Next Big DH Challenge: Inside the New Trail

Robert Wilson · 2026-08-17

If you're involved in mountain biking events, you know that trail development is the lifeblood of our sport. Out in St. George, Utah, the Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU) isn't just maintaining paths—they're crafting experiences that push boundaries. Let's talk about what's brewing in the Revenant system. ### The Evolution of the Revenant System Back in 2024, TASU introduced Hell Hole, a five-mile downhill-only track that sits about 30 minutes west of St. George. It's a trail that dances between intermediate and advanced, setting a new bar. But they didn't stop there. Now, they're deep into adding another descent, one that runs parallel to Hell Hole and is rated black to double-black from the get-go. It's part of a bigger push that includes finishing the Cliffrose Trail System and eyeing a third build. For event planners, this means more variety and technical options for races and rides. ### Hell Hole's Big Brother: A Technical Descent Kevin Christopherson, TASU President, gave us the lowdown. "The first mile or two of that is gonna be expert, maybe even double black," he said. "You're kind of going in on some cliffs and dropping down into a canyon that's very rocky, big rocks, like kind of the size of a station wagon." Imagine that—navigating drops beside boulders as big as cars. This new trail borrows the start from Hell Hole before veering off into fresh terrain. While Hell Hole is just over five miles, this one will be roughly four miles long, but with a similar elevation loss of around 1,400 feet. How? It kicks off with a climb that regains some of that lost height, making for a punchy start. ### Navigating the Boulder Field TASU's approach is all about creativity. They're bench-cutting the trail in sections to carve through that station-wagon-sized boulder field, which inevitably adds exposure. Christopherson notes it might not have the same consequence as iconic St. George trails like Flying Monkey, but it's firmly advanced. The top portion has an 8-10% grade. "So if you've got the skills on the bike to handle that, you should be able to go over some pretty big stuff fast," he added. Here's what to expect in that technical half: - Double-black, rocky terrain for nearly half the trail - A wider canyon with thinner rocks in the bottom half - Jumps, berms, and rollers to keep the advanced flow And for riders who prefer to skip the gnarly stuff? There's a bypass being built. Instead of joining the new trail a mile down Hell Hole, you can ride another mile and avoid the super rocky part entirely. It's all about choice. ### Options for All Skill Levels This new trail dumps into the western side of The Revenant Bike Park, adding nearly a mile to Rock House, the expert jump trail. Riders can also pick from Goucho (blue) and Buckaroo (green), all descending-only. But here's a game-changer: a new climbing trail is in the works. Right now, the shuttle road is the only way up, and it's out of the way with steep bits. Christopherson shared, "We will also add a climbing trail from The Revenant Trailhead to the Hell Hole Trailhead. This will be more of a trail for normal human beings." That means easier access for everyone, from pros to casual riders. ### Completing the Cliffrose Trail System Over at Cliffrose, TASU just wrapped up Pillow Fight, a new three-mile intermediate trail. It descends over 700 feet and is technically two-way, but as Christopherson put it, "It's just too much fun not to ride it downhill." Mostly fast and flowy, it offers a contrast to the Revenant's intensity. For event professionals, this expansion means more venues for competitions and a richer trail network that caters to diverse skill levels. St. George is quickly becoming a must-watch hub for mountain biking developments.