Hiking Trails

From Vernal head north 24 miles along US 191. The Bassett Springs trailhead is well signed, lying directly across the highway from the trailhead for the Range Study Loop. The trail is also well marked with bike trail signs along the way.

Head north along the double track dirt trail. After about 1.5 miles, the trail gets steeper and deteriorates. About 1 mile farther, the trail tops out on Grizzly Ridge. The views to the south are worthwhile from here. The loop trail descends down a steep, rocky section back to the trailhead. This section requires excellent bike handling skills and a good deal of caution as well.

From Vernal, head north along US 191 for 32 miles to its juntion with UT 44. Continue along 191 for 4 miles to the Flaming Gorge Lodge. The trail is just beyond the lodge and is clearly marked at the trailhead. Simply follow the trail from the road for about 1.5 miles to the overlook, then retrace your route back to your vehicle. Be on the lookout for elk, mule deer and numerous species of birds in the area.

There is also a side route (signed) that leads to the Flaming Gorge Lodge where you'll find a restaurant, grocery store, cabin rentals and gasoline.

From Vernal, head east on US 40 for about 20 miles to the town of Jensen and the turnoff to the monument (UT 149). Head north and enter the park, saving your receipt. Park at the lower parking lot near the entrance station. Begin pedaling up the hill to the quarry. After about 0.5 miles, head east on the monument road. After about 5.5 miles, ride across the bridge spanning the Green River. Continue for 2.4 miles. At the plank fence just past auto tour marker #10, take a right onto the jeep road. The next mile is a steady climb that drops along sandstone ledges to the bottom of a creek and passes through a wire gate. The trail climbs over some slickrock sections here and provides views of Split Mountain to the north. After descending to the bottom of another draw, the trail climbs again for about 1 mile. This section is followed by about 4 miles of rolling hills. The dirt road eventually merges with pavement. Turn left and return to US 40. Turn right (west) on the highway and return to Jensen. At Jensen, turn right and follow UT 149 back to the monument and your vehicle.

From Manila, travel south on UT44 to just before milepost 14. Park at the Dowd Springs picnic area. Begin pedaling across the highway to the east up the Dowd Mountain Road. Cross over the cattle guard and take the single-track trail to the right marked by the carsonite post. The trail undulates among the pine trees for a few miles before merging with a double track road. Follow the blue diamonds along the main road past several branching routes. The trail eventually swings north and intersects FS 094. Go right (east) to the overlook 0.5 mile ahead. From the overlook, follow the Dowd Mountain Hideout trail to the north, following the trail along the hillside to an intersection. Go left up the hill to the 3-way intersection and proceed right (west) on FS 613. After abut a mile the trail reaches the saddle and splits. Head straight down the narrowing trail, over the roller coaster berms down the gully back to the trailhead.

From Vernal, head north on US 191/UT44. At the junction for the Flaming Gorge Dam, continue on UT 44 to the Deep Creek turnoff 9FS 539), located between mileposts 11 and 12. From Manila, FS 539 is 16 miles south on UT 44. The trailhead is located 2 miles down the Deep Creek Road at Elk Park. Pedal west down the Deep Creek Road, through the campground, and across Carter Creek. The trail here climbs for about 2.5 miles to the junction with FS 221, signed for Spirit Lake, Browne Lake, and Sheep Creek Lake. Follow this dirt double-track road for 1.5 miles to FS5. Turn left of this trail, climbing up to the lookout tower on Ute Mountain.

On the south side of the tower, ride down the single-track trail signed Ute Mountain Trail 005. Follow the trail through the meadow ahead to the fence line bordering Browne Lake. Follow the fence line briefly (50 yds.) then cross the meadow on the single track. The trail here is vague. Look for posts, tree blazes, and diamonds marking the route. The trail then parallels Carter Creek. After about a mile, stay right at the junction for Lost Spring Trail (FS 007), and continue straight to Youngs Spring Park. Ahead you will probably need to carry your bike up the short, but steep, Icy Hill Dugway. Take an immediate left for Young Spring and climb the short hill to the junction for Old Carter Trail #016. Head east, following posts for FT 016. This trail intersects Trail #014, but stay on #016 on the ride side of the meadow. Continue on the rough trail to a faint junction signed for South Elk Park, Elk Prk, Old Carter Trail, and Young Spring. Turn left on the single-track trail, cross the East Fork of Deep Creek ahead, and push your bike up the steep hill to the 4WD road. In the meadow ahead, take a right, than a left (carsonite post here), and follow the trail back to your vehicle.

From Vernal, head north along US 191/UT44 to the Red Canyon Visitor Center turnoff about 40 miles from town. The turnoff is located between mileposts 3 and 4 on UT44. The Visitor Center is 3 miles down the road. The single track begins next to the restroom on the right (east) side of the parking lot. The trail follows the rim of the canyon and is clearly marked by blue diamonds on the trees. Along the way, look for turnouts to overlooks, most of which are signed. After about a mile, the trail passes through Canyon Rim Campground and continues along the rim for about another mile. It then heads south away from the rim. Up ahead is a junction. The left fork drops, crosses Skull Creek, and continues to the Greendale rest area. This is a good turnaround point. Advanced riders may incorporate the Swett Ranch loop here (see Ride 2). The junction's right fork heads west and follows blue diamonds around a middle loop in the trail.

From Vernal, head north along US 191. One mile north of the junction with UT44 is the Greendale rest area. Park here. The trail begins at the east end of the rest stop. Head north along FS 157 and down the hill to a 3-way intersection. Take the right turn and head east toward the Swett Ranch. After about a mile, take the spur to the left and pedal the road for about 0.5 mile to the ranch. Spend some time here browsing. Back out on the main route, the road ahead soon splits. Take the route to the left, ride past a carsonite post and go through a cattle gate (please close behind).

Follow the blue diamonds on carsonite posts, staying left, and enjoy the downhill cruise. The trail soon narrows and enters a grove of aspen trees, crossing two small streams. At the upcoming “T” junction, turn left and climb the hill about 1.5 miles back to the route's beginning.