sanpete offers diverse trails Sanpete County offers a diverse selection of biking trails, for both the beginner and the advanced rider. The following lists some mountain trails worth exploring. Be sure to follow recommended safety procedures for riding in the backcountry.
SKYLINE TRAIL
This is a single or multi-day bike adventure, vehicle support is recommended. This course is rated easy to difficult, its 50 miles long, and usually takes two to three days to complete. To begin, head east from the town of Fairview, up Fairview Canyon on UT 31. Continue on UT 31 as it turns south heading toward Huntington Reservoir and Electric Lake (the northern section of Skyline Drive comes in here from the left). Approximately one mile after the Fairview Lakes overlook, travelers will come to the Sanpete Valley Overlook, just past the second overlook look for Skyline Drive, also FS Road #150, heading south. The first part of this route is a roller coaster taking bikers up and down over several good hills. Start out slow as the air is thin up there and some of the climbs will require determination. Sections of this route can become treacherous due to clay-like mud that can freeze moving bike parts in a matter of minutes. Wrap around the west flank of North and South Tent Mountain at the top of Canal Canyon before coming to Big and Little Horseshoes, two glacially carved out mountains with summits over 11,000 feet. Ascending the backside of Big Horseshoe, a distinct geological feature, will provide spectacular views before a great four-mile descent to Horseshoe Flats. From here continue to roll along until, reaching High op, the highest point on Skyline Drive at 10,897 feet. It’s downhill from here to the turn-off to Ferron Reservoir and camp, or another three miles to the campground at Twelve Mile Flat. Twelve Mile Canyon Road takes off the plateau to the town of Mayfield.
JOSEPHITE POINT - PETE’S HOLE
This 28-mile loop follows improved dirt roads, unimproved dirt roads and single track taking the intermediate to advanced rider five to six hours to complete. Start at Pete’s Hole Reservoir heading east from the town of Ephraim on UT 29 as it winds its way up Ephraim Canyon. Continue east on UT 29 as it crosses Skyline Drive, following signs for Joe’s Valley Reservoir. Approximately 4.5 miles from where riders cross Skyline Drive they will come to the turn off for Pete’s Hole Reservoir. Turn here and park at the campground. Plan at least an hour drive to reach the trailhead. From the south end of the reservoir pick up the Josephite Point Tail, also FS #109. The trail will wind its way through meadows, creeks and pine forests taking riders to the overlook. An awesome view of Joe’s Valley Reservoir and surrounding country is worth the short hike out to the overlook. 52 - SANPETE COUNTY RECREATION GUIDE 2021
This single-track will continue heading south to Mary’s Lake where it turns into a rough dirt road, also FS Road # 041. Stay on this dirt road, still heading south, for approximately four miles, to an intersection. Go left and stay left as this somewhat better dirt road, still FS # 041 as it bends around and heads north. After a long descent, riders will come to another intersection, go left again and head to Joe’s Valley Reservoir for a rest and swim. From the reservoir head west on UT 29, also FS Road #FH8. Now climb up through Whites Dugway, then follow Olsen Canyon drainage, before emerging onto Thistle Flat. Be looking for the turnoff to the Soup Bowl and Pete’s Hole Reservoir on the left.
TWELVE MILE FLAT LOOP
This loop is a great ride for novice to intermediate riders looking for a scenic back-country 11 mile ride through one of the highest regions of the Wasatch Plateau. From the town of Mayfield, head east up Twelve Mile Canyon on FS Road #022. Drive approximately 14.5 miles to the start of FS Road #024 on the right-hand side of the road, directly across from the Grove of the Aspen Giants Scenic Area. For a quick warm-up, ride the one-mile loop through the giant aspens. They are some of the largest and oldest aspens known to exist. Next, head back out onto the Twelve Mile Canyon Road and pedal for almost three miles up to the intersection with Skyline Drive. Go right, heading south on Skyline Drive, past Twelve Mile Flat Campground. Huge meadows and the barren knoll of Mt. Baldy will be on the right with an enormous basin that forms the headwaters of Muddy Creek on the left. Just under three miles from where people turned right onto Skyline Drive, they will see FS Road #151 to Emerald Lake taking off to the left. A few hundred yards beyond the turn off to Emerald Lake a trail branches off the right, dropping down about 500 feet in less than a third of a mile. This trail will take riders down to Step Flats and FS Road #024. When riders reach the road go right, cruising though the flats while approaching the southwestern flank of Mt. Baldy. The south fork of Twelve Mile Creek drainage drops away to the west and is traversed by a trail called the Narrows. Continue heading north on FS Road #024 as it takes riders around the west side of Mt. Baldy, eventually intersecting the main canyon road where riders started.
BEAVER CREEK/CLEAR LOOP
This route is a challenge for intermediate to advanced riders in good physical shape. Its 21 miles long, although it is possible to shuttle to the top to avoid the climb. This is an ATV route, so be prepared to yield to the right. From Mayfield, pedal up Twelve Mile Canyon Road, also FS Road #022. Approximately 5.5 miles from town the Beaver Creek Road, also FS Road #029, takes off on the right hand side of the road.
