Brian Head Mountain Biking: Color Flow Trail Review

If you’ve ever wanted to try downhill mountain biking but weren’t sure where to start, Brian Head’s Color Flow trail might be one of the most approachable places to give it a try. It’s scenic, lift-served, and rated “easier,” but there are a few things first-timers should know before rolling off the summit.

Trail Snapshot

• Trail: Color Flow (4-mile modern flow trail)
• Starting elevation: ~10,000 ft
• Type: Lift-served, rated “easier”
• Audience fit: Beginners who are comfortable on a bike but newer to mountain biking; riders who enjoy scenery, don’t mind stopping, and want an introduction to bike-park trails.
• Location: Brian Head Giant Steps Lodge and Lifts – google maps link here
• Website: Brian Head Resort
• Our conditions: Sunny, dry, moderate wind, warm temps

Quick Take: Color Flow is a great introduction to downhill biking, but expect rougher surfaces, more pedaling, and a steeper learning curve than the videos suggest.

Why We Picked Color Flow

We’ve always wanted to try downhill biking, but never committed until we watched several YouTube videos of Color Flow. Every clip showed riders gently riding through wide-open meadows and fun single-track trail. It looked mellow, scenic, and approachable — exactly the kind of “let’s try it” adventure we love.

Some of that was accurate. Some was wishful thinking.

What the videos didn’t show: rocky trails, loose gravel, and short-but-real uphill sections that feel very different when you’re on a hefty rental bike at 10,000 feet.

Trail Conditions on Our Visit

The weather was perfect: sunny, no clouds, around 70°F at 9 a.m. and mid-80s by the afternoon. The trail was completely dry.

Color Flow itself was a mix of:

• hard-packed dirt
• rocky stretches that rattled more than expected
• loose gravel that required attention
• short meadow climbs that demanded actual pedaling

We assumed ‘downhill’ meant zero pedaling. That was optimistic. None of the climbing is steep, but at altitude, every uphill section feels bigger than it looks.

Run #1: A Humbling Start

Confidence doesn’t magically appear just because the trail is labeled “easy.” We took things slowly, stopping often to breathe, rest, and enjoy the views.

Then we got lost.

A poorly marked trail (in our opinion) led us off course. The only solution was to backtrack uphill. Again, altitude and rental-bike weight make that more effort than it sounds.

• Run # 1: Over an Hour
• Run # 2: Faster, around 45 minutes
• Run # 3: Finally fun and around 30 minutes

The Chairlift: The Real Challenge

If someone had told us that the hardest part of downhill biking would be loading the chairlift, we’d have laughed.

The lift moves quickly. The bikes are heavy. The loading zone feels too short for beginners. Trying to get four people loaded at the same time adds pressure that doesn’t help anyone’s coordination.

Brian Head slows the lift down, and staff are happy to help if you ask. We recommend asking for help if its your first time.

Unloading at the top is easy. An employee pulls the bike off the rack, and you simply step off the chair.

Just don’t be surprised if your day starts slowly. Ours did. We lined up 10 minutes early, only to learn the lift had broken down and wouldn’t open for an hour.

Bike Rentals: Enduro vs Downhill

Brian Head rents two styles of mountain bikes:

Downhill bikes:

• Built for steep, technical trails
• Plush suspension
• Great for red, blue and/or black trails

Enduro bikes:

• Lighter
• Better for pedaling
• Still plenty capable for green trails

We initially chose downhill bikes, but after explaining our plan, the staff recommended the Enduro. The lighter frame and easier pedaling were absolutely the right call for Color Flow.

Included gear:

• full-face helmets
• gloves
• elbow guards
• knee/shin guards
• goggles upon request

Sunglasses worked well for us given the dry, sunny weather.

Make sure you pick knee/shin pads that fit well or bring your own for maximum comfort. The ones I chose didn’t stay up well.

How Hard Is It Really?

For true beginners:

• The first run will likely feel awkward.
• The trail is rougher than a typical hiking path.
• Braking takes practice. Expect to brake too much, then not enough, and then too much again.
• Altitude makes every pedal stroke noticeable.
• Expect to gain confidence after a few runs.

We rode cautiously on run #1, moderately on run #2, and finally found smooth sections where we could pick up speed on run #3. No falls or close calls, but we were fully engaged the entire time.

We left wanting to try downhill biking again.

Scenery Worth Stopping For

Color Flow has a beautiful backdrop: open meadows, wildflowers, exposed ridgelines, and long valley views. This is the trail for riders who enjoy scenery as much as movement.

What We’d Do Differently Next Time

• Load the lift with just the two of us instead of a random group of four.
• Ask the employee to load the bikes from the start.
• Expect a rougher trail surface.
• Arrive early, but be mentally prepared for delays (mountain lifts can be fickle).
• Bring our own pads for better comfort.

Who Will Enjoy Color Flow

Color flow might be a great fit if you:

• are comfortable on a bike but newer to mountain biking
• like wide-open meadow riding
• don’t mind some uphill pedaling
• prefer a gentle introduction to lift-served terrain

It’s less ideal if you:

• expect a perfectly smooth trail
• dislike gravel or rocky stretches
• struggle with altitude
• feel anxious loading a moving chairlift

Tips for a Better Day

• Park early to have extra time for gear rentals
• Hydrate more than you think you need, altitude sneaks up fast.
• Wear the gloves they give you; they make breaking more comfortable
• Expect to stop often on your first run.
• Sunglasses worked well for us in clear, dry conditions
• If you’re unsure about bike choice, ask the rental staff, they got it right for us.

FAQs

Is Color Flow good for complete beginners?
It can be, as long as you expect rocks, gravel, and a learning curve.

How long does it take to ride?
Your first ride likely will take over an hour if you’re learning or stopping often. Confident riders generally finish in 20–30 minutes.

Is the trail smooth?
Not really. Some stretches flow nicely, but plenty of sections are rocky or loose.

Do you need body armor?
Pads, gloves, and helmets were important for us. Following staff recommendations is a smart move.

Is loading the chairlift hard?
It can be. Asking staff for help is completely normal.

Which rental bike is best: Enduro or Downhill?
For green trails with mild climbing, the staff recommended Enduro to aid in the uphill sections and slightly lighter frame.

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