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.

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.

Go onto this road bearing right again where it forks in just under a mile. In another two miles the road forks again.

The left fork will take riders to Woods Lake. Stay right, onto FS Road #159, and continue heading south, down into the drainage, across the creek and up onto the ridge.

Reach the ridge and head east, toward Porcupine Knoll. A short loop to the southeast of the knoll will take riders out to the start of the Balsam Grove Ridge Trail, FS Trail #127.

This great, sometimes wild, single track that heads back down into Twelve Mile Canyon that may be too much of a temptation for some.

Mary’s Nipple (10,984’), one of the higher points on the plateau, rises to the southeast. Another mile beyond the knoll and bear right again, heading down the Clear Creek Drainage.

Riders may also want to explore down Olsen Canyon Trail which they will pass taking off to the left as they begin the steepest part of the descent.

This trail comes out just above Mayfield in Twelve-mile Canyon. Continue heading down Clear Creek Canyon, following the trail as it criss-crosses over the stream. When bikers emerge onto the main canyon road, go left and head back to Mayfield.

NORTH FORK MANTI CANYON

This trail is rated for intermediate to advanced riders who will travel 15 miles and while riders must be in good physical condition, not much technical skill is required.

The trail starts at the Manti Community Campground, approximately five miles up Manti Canyon from town. Climb on a graded dirt road for almost 5 miles before reaching Skyline Drive. This climb is 3,000 feet in five miles. For bikers who aren’t up to the climb, they may want to shuttle or drop off at the point where Manti Canyon Road meets Skyline Drive.

Once on Skyline Drive, go left, heading north. There elevation here is 10,000 to 10,500 feet. Pass Jet Fox Reservoir at 2.5 miles from the starting point on Skyline Drive and in another half mile bikers will come to the turn-off for Lowry’s Fork and Logger Fork Reservoir, also FS Road #046. Go left on this road and bear left at the fork in the road.

The right fork will take riders to Loggers Fork Reservoir. Descending steeply for just under two miles bikers will come to the North Fork Trail, also FS Road #046. Go left again, following this drainage down to where it meets the main Manti Canyon Road. From here it is just another mile back to the campground.

THE HORSESHOES

This is a great trail for hiking or an out and back trail for novice to intermediate bikers looking for a 10-mile ride taking two to three hours.

The best way to access the West Sanpete Trail, also FS Trail #090, is from the town of Ephraim. Drive up Ephraim Canyon all the way to Skyline Drive. Go left and drive for approximately another eight miles to the West Sanpete Trailhead where it is located on the left-hand side of the road.

Begin hiking by wrapping around the ridge and into the basin of the glacially carved Big Horseshoe. People will lose very little elevation as they follow the contour of the slope as it wraps around into the basin of Little Horseshoe.

Intersect the Pigeon Creek Driveway Trail in just less than five miles. Take this trail heading up to Skyline Drive and follow Skyline drive back to the starting point or return back via the trail.

POWERHOUSE LOOP

This ride is for advanced riders as it takes four to five hours and covers 22 miles. A shuttle up to Skyline Drive will eliminate the climb making the ride shorter and easier.

From Spring City head east up Oak Creek Canyon on FS Road #036. Continue to climb on that road, gaining over 4,000 feet in just under nine miles, to where it intersects with Skyline Drive and ride south for approximately three miles to the Canal Canyon Trail, also FS Trail #058.

Make sure helmets are on tight and prepare for a fast and sometimes wild descent. Go right onto this trail and follow it as it heads south across the top of the drainage to Poulson Ridge.

The trail follows the ridge for approximately 2.5 miles before hitting the Canal Canyon Road, also FS Road #339. As bikers emerge from the canyon bear right onto the canal road that heads north back into town.

MAPLE CANYON

A hiking trail for novice to intermediate hikers looking for a three mile hike taking one to two hours to complete. There are other routes to explore in this canyon, so be prepared and take plenty of water.

From Maple Canyon Campground head north up the Right Fork of Maple Canyon. Follow the route as it makes a loop, connecting with the Middle Fork Trail about midway up.

Go left onto the Middle Fork Trail to get back to the campground or go right, further up into the drainage. In one-half mile, hikers will intersect the Skyline Trail, also FS Road #069, where they can go left, hiking south for approximately 1.5 miles to the top of the Left Fork Trail. Go right, down this trail to return to Maple Canyon Campground.