Experience the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata in Vernal, Utah

Two wheels. One campsite. A wall of steel rungs bolted into a canyon. That was our weekend in Vernal, and we're already plotting the sequel.

We rolled into Dinosaurland to ride the singletrack at McCoy Flats, spent the night under a sky full of stars, and woke up early to climb the via ferrata in Ashley Gorge. If you've been looking for a trip that packs biking, camping, and climbing into one weekend, this is your blueprint. Time
to unearth new heights.

Day One: Trails Carved by Time at McCoy Flats

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We kicked things off at the McCoy Flats Trailhead, and the first good surprise came before we even clipped in. The trailhead was stocked with maps and trail guides, so we planned our route on the spot.

Got Milk? & Cookies (6.7 miles, beginner/intermediate) was our warm-up, and it delivered. It's fast, buffed-out singletrack with small, fun rollers, plus wide-open views across the high desert that had us stopping more than once just to look around. If you're riding with mixed skill levels or easing into the weekend, start here.

Next up was Retail Sale (8 miles, intermediate), the most popular loop in the basin, and it turned up the energy. Rhythmic climbing kept us working, and the fast descent had us grinning the whole way down. It's the kind of trail that keeps you honest without wearing you out.

The best part? We never once got lost. Every trail was clearly marked with easy-to-read signs, so we spent our time riding instead of checking our phones. For a group exploring new terrain, that's a big deal.

Sunset at McCoy Flats. Not a bad way to end day one.

Night: Lights Out, Stars On

After the ride, we set up camp for the night near the McCoy Flats campground. Tired legs, a
quiet desert, and a sky that went from orange to deep blue to completely packed with stars. Out
here, the nightlife has a billion-star rating.
We turned in early, because the real climb was waiting for us in the morning.

Day Two: Rising Up the Via Ferrata

We got an early start and hiked up to the via ferrata. If you've never tried one, a via ferrata ("iron path" in Italian) is a climbing route built with fixed steel cables, rungs, and ladders. You stay clipped in the whole way, so you get the thrill of climbing a cliff face without needing to be a technical rock climber.
We started on the main route, and right away the views stole the show. The canyon opened up around us, with the river winding below. It's the kind of scenery that makes you slow down on
purpose.

Feeling good, we decided to take on the loop. That's where things got exciting: fun, challenging
climbs around the bridge and up a series of ladders. Each section asked a little more of us, and
each one paid off. The route felt safe and easy to navigate the whole way, and we had zero
problems. Just steady progress and a lot of high-fives.

The Helix Ladder: The Moment We'll Talk About for Years

Plan Your Own Bike-and-Climb Weekend

Want to copy our route? Here's what worked for us:

Ride first, climb second. Biking McCoy Flats on day one and saving the via ferrata for a fresh morning made for a perfect rhythm.

Grab a map at the trailhead. McCoy Flats has maps and guides on hand, and the signage makes it easy to link trails.

Start with Got Milk? & Cookies. It's an easy, scenic warm-up before you tackle the rollers on Retail Sale.

Get to the via ferrata early. An early start gave us cooler temps and plenty of time to add the loop.

Save energy for the helix ladder. Trust us. You'll want to enjoy every rung.
Come for the dinosaurs, stay for the adventure. Vernal's trails, canyons, and cliffs are waiting.

Dig deeper and start planning your trip at dinoland.com.