Manti-La Sal

M VISITOR anti-La Sal National Forest Ancient Lands GUIDE Modern Get-away Dark Canyon Wildern ess La Sal Pass T Maple Canyon (© Jason Stevens) he deep sandstone canyons, mountaintops, meadows, lakes and streams of the Manti-La Sal National Forest have beckoned people for ages. Evidence of prehistoric and historic life is found throughout the four islands of the forest. From the Abajos and La Sals in southeastern Utah to the Wasatch Plateau and Sanpitch Mountains hundreds of miles away in central Utah, the diverse and scenic landscapes are rich with fossils, cliff dwellings, historic waterways, and old mines. Fast Forest Facts Acres: 1.4 million Mining: Source of 85% of coal mined in Utah; important source of uranium in the 1940s-1970s Amazing Feature: Forest habitat provides for the densest black bear and largest elk populations in Utah What’s Inside Get to Know Us .................... 2 Wilderness ........................... 3 Scenic Byways ..................... 4 Map ...................................... 6 Campgrounds ..................... 10 Cabins ................................. 11 Activities ............................. 12 Know Before You Go........... 15 Contact Information ........... 16 Today the forest offers people a retreat from the hurry of modern life. Those who seek solitude and quiet can find it here. Intrepid adventurers will discover mountains to scale, trails to explore, waters to fish, and woods where they can hunt. Scenic byways and backways summon motorists looking for stunning vistas, and abundant camping areas are perfect for creating family traditions. Come see for yourself! This Visitor Guide provides the information you need to make the most of your Manti-La Sal National Forest experience. Aberts squirrel G et to Know Us Our Heritage before, containing over 5,000 known archaeological sites that date between 10,000 years ago and the mid1900s. These places offer windows into the vibrant and complex communities that thrived in the rugged landscapes of the forest. During much of this era, people made their living entirely from the resources of the land. They also had wide social networks and depended on each other for trade goods and information about the world around them. oth the Manti and La Sal National B Forests were created at the request of local communities who depended on the forests for livestock forage, lumber, minerals, and water. At the turn of the century, water sometimes came in the form of catastrophic summer floods that tore through towns below the forests. Communities recognized that overgrazing was causing soil erosion and subsequent flooding, and that thoughtful management was needed to ensure continued resource use. Ferron Canyon pictograph etween B about 1,500 and 700 years ago, farming became part of Ruins in Dark Canyon the life-ways of these ancient people. Ancestral Puebloan (Ansazi) people established extensive networks of villages on what are now national forest lands southwest of Monticello. This area contains the densest number of archaeological sites on national forests in Utah, and tells a story of ever-changing adaptations to shifting climate and social conditions. urther north, Fremont farmers used the Wasatch F Plateau and Sanpitch Mountains as critical sources of plants and animals. They also took advantage of abundant chert (rock) on the Wasatch Plateau to make spear points, knives, and other stone tools. ut millions of years before these ancient civilizations, B these lands were home to such animals as crocodiles and apes. The only evidence of Tyrannosaurus rex in Utah came from the Manti-La Sal National Forest. More recently, mastodons, short-faced bear, and camels also lived here. C onstruction workers at the Huntington Dam along the HuntingtonEccles Canyons National Scenic Byway made an unparalleled discovery in 1988—the nearly complete remains of a mammoth that lived about 9,500 years ago. It may represent one of the last of its species, before climate change caused mammoths to disappear. You can view a cast of its skeleton at the College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum in Price, or at the Fairview Museum of History and Art. Hammond Canyon Sanpete Valley citizens sent a petition to President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 resulting in the creation of the Manti Forest Reserve. Citizens in Grand and San Juan counties made similar requests and the La Sal Forest Reserve was created in 1906-1907. Protecting Our Past For Our Future When you visit an archaeological site, remember that you are visiting someone’s home. Be careful where you walk and sit, and leave objects where you find them. Prehistoric and historic sites and artifacts are irreplaceable resources that provide clues and understanding into our collective heritage. It is illegal to damage sites or to remove artifacts. When visiting theses sites: Do ~ * * * * * Use designated trails or walk on slickrock Leave all artifacts in place Take photos or sketch rock art View structures from a distance Let others enjoy the thrill of discovery Don’t ~ * * * * * Create new trails or paths Gather artifacts into piles or take them home Touch or leave marks on rock art (the oil in your fingers may damage the fragile art) Sit or walk on walls, or enter structures Reveal site locations on websites or give out GPS coordinates Photo courtesy of the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum he mountain and desert landscapes of the Manti-La T Sal National Forest hold secrets of the people who came Photo courtesy of the CEU Prehistoric Museum 2 The vast resources of the Manti-La Sal National Forest belong to all Americans. These resources must rely on the stewardship of all of us if they are to be sustained for our future generations. Wilderness n the early 1900s, there was no scientific data to help Iforest managers understand how to best protect soil and plant resources while still providing for livestock grazing. As a result, one of the first and longestrunning watershed research areas in the US was created in Ephraim Canyon in 1912. Headquartered at the Great Basin Experimental Station, research was used to guide range science and livestock grazing programs all over the world. Dark Canyon Wilderness Wilderness is an area designated by Congress to preserve natural communities from the expanding imprint of human development. In Wilderness, natural forces and conditions dominate the landscape, and the area is managed to retain its primeval character and influence, while providing opportunities for primitive recreation and solitude. Peavine Canyon Great Basin Experimental Station, 1935 etween 1939 and 1941, the forest and nearby B communities hosted several Civilian Conservation T elp protect Wilderness for our future generations by following the “Leave No Trace” principles: »» Plan ahead and prepare »» Travel and camp on durable surfaces »» Dispose of waste properly »» Leave what you find »» Minimize campfire impacts »» Respect wildlife »» Be considerate of other visitors NO TR VE TD E AC H OU he Manti and La Sal Forests were combined in 1949 for more efficient management. Such change did not come easily for the communities or forest managers. In order to make a stressful situation easier, managers held a mock shotgun wedding in Joes Valley in 1950. The Ranger from Moab was bride; the Ranger from Ephraim was the groom; and a Monticello resident held the shotgun. Dark Canyon Wilderness is just such a place. Arches, old-growth ponderosa pine, aspen groves, meadows, hanging gardens, and high country deserts are all found here. This remote section of the Colorado Plateau is a place where visitors are dwarfed by the sculpted and terraced sandstone walls. Look closely—you may spot evidence of the Ancestral Puebloan structures and rock art tucked along the cliffs. (Please leave these treasures undisturbed for others to experience.) Water is scarce—check with local Forest Service offices for current availability. For more information about the Dark Canyon Wilderness, visit www.wilderness.net S O ne of the most important uses of the Wasatch Plateau has been coal mining, beginning in the late 1800s. Today, mines on the forest contribute about 85% of the coal produced in the state. In southeastern Utah, uranium mining boomed during the 1940-1970s, and Moab was known as the uranium capitol of the world. Ore was extracted from both the La Sal and Abajo Mountains. Canyon IC Corps camps that made significant improvements to the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The men built campgrounds, roads, trails, dam and feeder canals, and guard stations. They fought fires, rescued stranded livestock, planted trees, and made life-long memories. Nearly 5,000 men worked in these camps. They came from local communities, as well as places as far away as New Jersey and Mississippi. CCC men building terraces Woodensho e LEA a tree, 1922 Forester boring O O R ET H Two forests are joined as one 3 G et to Know Us Scenic Byways & Backways The Manti-La Sal National Forest has numerous byways and backways threading dramatic landscapes. Byways are major roads suitable for passenger cars. Backways are lower-standard roads often requiring high-clearance vehicles and/or fourwheel drive. Ask locally for road conditions before you begin. The Energy Loop: Huntington & Eccles Canyons National Scenic Byway Whatever the season, Length: 85 mi./136 km. the views are breathtaking on the Time to Allow: 4 hours Huntington and Eccles Canyons National Scenic Byway. The route is rich with the history of mining in Utah’s coal country, with views of a coal-fired power plant and an operating mine along the way. The Scofield Cemetery is witness to a mining disaster that killed hundreds of men and boys in 1900. The recovery site of the 9,500 year-old mammoth skeleton is interpreted just off the road near Huntington Reservoir. Other visitor signs identify the unique geology and ecology of the area. Outstanding recreation opportunities abound. There are campgrounds, blue ribbon fisheries, and six reservoirs for fishing and boating. There are hiking, biking and ATV trails along the route and it’s a favorite place for an assortment of winter sports. This paved road traverses state routes (SR) 31, 264, and 96 and can be accessed off SR-10 in Huntington, off SR-6 at Colton, and off SR-89 in Fairview. Check road conditions before traveling in winter. Stuart Guard Station The boys of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the Stuart Guard Station in Huntington Canyon during the 1930s Depression. The station now houses artifacts from that era that tell the story of how these young men built improvements throughout the forest to earn money for their families at home. Restored as an historic interpretive site, the Stuart Guard Station also tells the story of the national forest and its beginnings over 100 years ago. A host can show you through the station on weekends and holidays in the summer. Fairview Canyon Abajo Loop State Scenic Backway Length: 35 mi./56 km. Time to Allow: 2 hours The Abajo Loop leads from the desert floor and red rock canyons to steep mountains over 11,000 feet high, with overlooks and Horsehead Mountain panoramic views. The byway travels Forest Road (FR) 105 west from Monticello to the junction of FR-079 where it heads south through North Canyon, northwest of the shadow of Horsehead Peak. When you conclude your tour in Blanding, visit the Edge of the Cedars Museum where you’ll see numerous artifacts found on the forest. Although suitable for passenger vehicles during late spring through fall, this route is not recommended for large RVs or trailers. 4 Elk Ridge State Scenic Backway Length: 87 mi./139 km. Time to Allow: 4-5 hours Elk Ridge Road seems to be on top of the world. From here, travelers see stunning views of Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, and scenery nearly 200 miles in the distance. Start the Elk Ridge Road at the junctions of State Route (SR) 95 and SR-275, west of Blanding. After 1 mile, turn onto FR-088. Head of Dark Canyon The backway follows the Elk Ridge spine at nearly 9,000 feet (often as a single lane) with panoramic views of red rock canyons and Canyonlands National Park. The backway ends at SR-211. Most of the route requires high-clearance vehicles and is passable only in the summer months. Skyline Drive State Scenic Backway Ferron-Mayfield State Scenic Backway This drive is two distinct backway experiences; combined they also form a portion of the Great Western Trail. Winding up 12-Mile Canyon from Mayfield, this backway begins and ends in pinyonjuniper country, but climbs to well over 10,000 feet while passing through stands of aspen and conifer. Angler destinations such as Town Reservoir, Ferron Reservoir, and Willow Lake are all located along this route. This gravel route is accessible to passenger cars during the summer and fall, then becomes a snowmobiler’s haven during the winter. Length: 48 mi./77 km. Time to Allow: 3-4 hours North Skyline Drive Length: 27 mi./43.2 km. Time to Allow: 1-2 hours Skyline, looking east North Skyline Drive, a gravel road, climbs to the Wasatch Plateau from US-6 and undulates south for 27 miles to SR-31. This section provides scenic views into Lake Fork and Fish Creek drainages and access to prime fall hunting areas. It is also a groomed snowmobile trail during the winter. The road is suitable for passenger cars, but is closed in the winter. Your journey begins on SR-31 South Skyline Drive and continues 55 miles south Length: 71 mi./114 km. to the Fishlake National Forest Time to Allow: 5-7 hours boundary (I-70 is another 16 miles). Stunning views of Mt. Nebo and other mountains are on constant display, complimented by vivid wildflower displays in mid to late summer. This route also serves as the backbone of the Arapeen OHV trail system with numerous routes dropping off the Skyline to the valleys below. Elevations approach 11,000 feet and the road is difficult to access until late July as large snowdrifts slowly melt—but this trip is worth the wait. The majority of South Skyline Drive requires high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles. Ephraim to Orangeville Road Length: 47 mi./74.5 km. Time to Allow: 2-3 hours The Ephraim Canyon Heritage Tour segment is a 15-mile drive from Ephraim to the summit of the Wasatch Plateau, a Ephraim Canyon display climb of 5,000 feet. Along the way, travelers can stop at six different interpretive displays that describe the natural and cultural heritage of the area, including the Civilian Conservation Corps work. 12-Mile Canyon (© www.sanpete.com) Harts Draw Highway Length: 18 mi./29 km. Time to Allow: 1.5 hours The Harts Draw Highway travels across the northwestern flank of the Abajo Mountains between Monticello and SR-211 near Newspaper Rock. The Harts Draw-Canyonlands Overlook is about 10 miles from Monticello, with vistas of the La Sal Mountains, Shay Mountain, and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. In autumn, aspens and maples are blazing flags along the drive. Once you reach SR-211, you can take a short side trip to the Newspaper Rock petroglyph panel. Harts Draw (© Tom Till) La Sal Mountain Loop State Scenic Backway Length: 50 mi./80 km. Time to Allow: 2-3 hours From alpine ridges of the La Sal Mountains to the red rock desert and sandstone pinnacles of Castle Rock, this backway is an adventure! You will see mesas and buttes used in movies and drive past steep laccolithic peaks that often serve as the backdrop in photographs of the famed Delicate Arch. The route is mostly paved and starts 6 miles south of Moab from US-191 to SR-128. Although suitable for passenger vehicles, it is not recommended for large RVs or trailers. The Skyline Drive to Joes Valley and Orangeville segment accesses the favorite fishing holes and camping areas of Pete’s Hole, Grassy Lake, Soup Bowl, and Joes Valley Reservoir. It is not suitable for low-clearance vehicles, and is closed in the winter. Historic Seely Guard Station, built in 1908, is along this road and is available for overnight rental. La Sal Mountains 5 M anti-La Sal National Forest Sanpete & Ferron-Price Districts Thistle ! Maple Canyon ¡ A fascinating place for geologists, a playground for climbers, and a favorite of photographers, Maple Canyon has a campground, trails, and world-renowned rock climbing. The area is dominated by smooth cobblestones polished by water in an ancient lake bed. 132 Nephi Wasatch Plateau 6 89 ¡ 0 015 96 Fish Creek P NRT Skyline Drive Scenic Backway Fish Creek NRT Pa Scofield Reservoir 15 ! 132 a 15 28 31 31 Fairview ! ! Chicken Creek a 0 101 ! Flat Canyon 264 ! Big Drift Mount Pleasant Electric Lake Price ! Millers Flat Reservoir Moroni See Huntington Canyon Inset Map 01 50 UINTA NF (Administered by Manti-LaSal) Horse Canyon P 89 ¡ Sanpitch Mountains Potters Pond 0038 Canal P Canyon Clear Creek Lake Canyon Recreation Area a Left Fork Pa 132 Pa 0060 a a a 31 Indian Creek 10 Skyline Drive Scenic Backway Huntington-Eccles National Scenic Byway 50 01 ! Lake Hill 001 4 Ephraim 28 a x Great Basin s Seely Guard Station 00 08 Environmental Education Center Gunnison Res. 89 ¡ ! 0045 Manti a Community Pallisades State Park 137 To Salina Mayfield a y a Joes Joes Valley aValley Boat Ramp Res. 22 00 Twelvemile Flat Twin a Reservoir 0008 Huntington Res. 29 ! Castle Dale a s a Ferron Reservoir a 0022 \ a 10 Ferron Canyon Ferron Canyon Overlook Millsite Reservoir Ferron-Mayfield Scenic Backway For information on the Arapeen Trail System, please pick up a Motor Vehicle Use Map or Arapeen OHV Trail System Map from any Forest Service Office. To I-70 FISHLAKE NF 10 6 ! 10 Joes Valley Indian Creek Guard Station Willow Lake Ferron-Mayfield Scenic Backway ! Huntington Skyline Drive Scenic Backway Gunnison ! 89 ¡ Reeder Joes Valley P Canyon Pavillion 01 50 Manti ¡6 Gooseberry x 89 ¡ Maple Canyon 78 Huntington-Eccles National Scenic Byway Gooseberry a Reservoir To Fremont Junction ! Ferron 80 B efore venturing on to the Manti-La Sal National Forest, please pick up a map with the level of detail appropriate for your planned activities: 89 84 Salt Lake City Provo Vernal 40 6 40 6 Price 15 50 Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) are available at all Forest Service offices, and are posted at www.fs.fed.us/r4/ mantilasal. For hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding: Topographic maps are recommended. Visit the US Geological Survey for online purchases: www.usgs.com/ 70 Richfield For motorized travel: 191 15 Paved Roads Manti-La Sal National Forest Cedar City 89 Unpaved Roads Wilderness Scenic Byway or Backway Vicinity Map a P V s x q Huntington Canyon Inset Map 31 South a a Hughes Chute P Old Folks Flat 0 011 P Castle Valley Ridge q Stuart Guard Station a Big Rock P 0058 P Horse Canyon Huntington-Eccles National Scenic Byway P Tie Fork Little Bear a Mill Fork P Canyon Scenic Overlook Forest Service Facility Point of Interest Forest Service Visitor Center Forest Supervisor’s Office a Left Fork Huntington Canyon National Recreation Trail Trailhead District Ranger Office Mill Canyon Bridges a Campground 0245 31 15 30 ¡ Interstate Highway U.S. Highway 55 State Highway 186 Forest Route 0 1.25 2.5 5 ¯ 7.5 Miles 10 Great Basin Environmental Education Center Opened in 1912 as the Utah Experiment Station, researchers were sent to this site in Ephraim Canyon to find the causes of, and remedies for, summer floods that were ravaging the communities in the valley below. They built a beautiful complex where they lived and worked. Some of the world’s most important range research occured here, and continues in the area now known as the Great Basin Experimental Range. However, researchers no longer live at the facility. Now the station has been given a new life and purpose. In 1992, Snow College and its partners restored the buildings and began to operate the compound as an environmental education center. The center is open weekdays from late June to mid-August, and visitors are welcome to tour the museum and buildings. Summer workshops are also held. For more information, visit www.snow.edu/gbeec/. 7 M anti-La Sal National Forest Moab & Monticello Districts To I- To Moab RD Angel Arch 191 To Canyonlands NP CANYONLANDS NP Elk Ridge State Scenic Backway 211 Mt. Peale 49 s North Cottonwood Shay Ridge P Hop Creek Blue Creek P Trail Canyon P 091 Gooseberry Horse Pasture P s P 6 10 Rig Canyon P Skyline Trail 5 09 088 DARK CANYON WILDERNESS Vega PCreek Dalton Springs Camp Jackson/ Wagon Wheel P a 08 2 Devils Canyon Little Notch P P Hammond Woodenshoe NATURAL BRIDGES NM To Hanksville P P P Peavine Abajo Loop State Scenic Backway Kigalia V Arch Canyon 191 ! Blanding Edge of the Cedars Museum PArch Canyon 95 4-w he el dri ve 191 To Bluff 8 a 092 V Bear Ears 088 ! Mont a Abajo Loop State 079 Red Ledges P Scenic Backway Aspen Flat Shay Ridge PP 5 09 P The Notch a P Robertson Pasture P Nizhoni Elk Ridge State Scenic Backway Buckboard Spring Creek 084 Elk Ridge State Scenic Backway P 104 V Indian Creek Harts Draw To I-70 128 -70 128 ARCHES NP La Sal Mountain Loop State Scenic Backway To Gateway Castle ! Valley 191 Fisher Mesa P 7 20 Moab Malloy g Park ! 046 Mason 065 Draw Castle Valley a Scenic \ Overlook 067 063 Miners P Basin a Warner Lake s Warner Guard Station Oowah La Sal Mountain Loop State Scenic Backway a Mill Creek g Canyon P PP Squaw 071 046 073 Springs c Geyser Pass Winter Burro Pass a 371 3 07 South Mountain 89 84 Buckeye 8 20 P Pack Creek 80 129 072 8 20 Paradox ! Salt Lake City Provo 6 40 46 40 46 6 90 La Sal 90 To Naturita ! Price 15 50 nticello Vernal Richfield 70 191 Cedar City 15 191 89 Vicinity Map To Monticello RD B efore venturing on to the Manti-La Sal National Forest, please pick up a map with the level of detail appropriate for your planned activities: For motorized travel: Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) are available at all Forest Service offices, and are posted at www.fs.fed.us/r4/mantilasal. For hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding: Topographic maps are recommended. Visit the US Geological Survey for online purchases: www.usgs.com. Paved Roads Manti-La Sal National Forest Unpaved Roads Wilderness a P V s x q Scenic Byway or Backway Campground Trailhead Scenic Overlook Forest Service Facility Point of Interest Forest Service Visitor Center District Ranger Office Forest Supervisor’s Office 15 30 ¡ Interstate Highway U.S. Highway 55 State Highway 186 Forest Route 0 1.25 2.5 5 ¯ 7.5 Miles 10 9 C ampgrounds & Cabins NAME # OF SITES SEASON Bridges Family 4 May-Oct. Chicken Creek 8 May-Oct. Ferron Reservoir 29 June-Oct. Fish Creek 7 May-Oct. Flat Canyon 11 June-Oct. Forks of Huntington 5 May-Oct. Gooseberry 9 June-Oct. Gooseberry Reservoir 16 June-Oct. Joes Valley 49 Lake Canyon AMENITIES RESERVABLE Sanpete & Ferron-Price Districts May-Oct. gwj gwj gfjkwK gwj6gfj gfwj gf gj g f j k Ka Yes 46 June-Oct. gjkK Yes Lake Hill 9 June-Oct. Yes Manti Community 8 June-Oct. Maple Canyon 12 May-Oct. Potters Ponds 17 June-Oct. Twelve Mile Flat 14 July.-Oct. Twin Reservoir 22 May-Oct. Willow Lake Doubles 10 June-Oct. gfjK gjK gw gwj6K gfK gjK gjK Buckboard 9 May-Oct. gf Yes Buckeye Reservoir 47 May-Oct. gjk Yes Dalton Springs 16 May-Oct. gf No Devils Canyon 42 April-Nov. gfW Yes Mason Draw 5 May-Oct. g No Nizhoni 21 May-Oct. gfwj Yes Oowah 11 May-Oct. gjw No Warner Lake 20 May-Oct. gfwj Yes No No Yes No Yes No No Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, tables, or treated water. Follow these guidelines to ensure that these areas can be enjoyed by future generations. * Choose sites that are already established * Camp within 150’ of a Forest Service road * Don’t dig ditches around tents or trailers * Dispose of human waste properly (200’ from water, in an 8” deep hole) * Pack out all garbage * Do not carve or chop into tree trunks— this can eventually kill the tree Hiking Trail Fishing Yes Off Road Vechicle Trail Yes Bicycle Trail Yes Horse Trail Yes No Yes k Ramp Nature W Trail Boat a Marina Campfires * Check at the local Ranger Station for current fire restrictions. Remember, they can change on a daily basis. Use existing fire rings and don’t burn metal, glass, plastic, or food scraps * Keep your fires small and bring your own firewood. If you have to collect firewood at your campsite, collect dead and down wood only. www.sanpet e.com * To put out a campfire, slowly pour water onto the fire and stir with a shovel. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool to touch. * Do not bury your fire. The coals can smolder and re-ignite. * NEVER leave a fire unattended, even if there are no flames. Many wildfires have been caused by abandoned campfires. Campground fees range from $5-18 depending on the amenities provided, and are subject to change. 10 Drinking Water Yes Moab & Monticello Districts Dispersed Camping Restroom To make reservations for campgrounds or cabins, use the National Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov Group Campgrounds NAME FEE CAPACITY SEASON $50 50 May-Oct. gwj Yes Bridges Group A&B $50/$40 40/30 May-Oct. gwj Yes Indian Creek $30/$50 30/70 June-Oct. gj Yes Ferron Reservoir $40 50 June-Oct. gfjkwK Yes Flat Canyon $50 50 June-Oct. gfj Yes Forks of Huntington $40 40 May-Oct. gfwj Yes Gooseberry $40 40 June-Oct. gf Yes Joes Valley Pavilion $50 100 May-Oct. gfjK Yes $20/$60 20/150 June-Oct. gjkK Yes $40 30/75 June-Oct. gfjK Yes $50/$30 50/30 May-Oct. gj Yes Manti Community $40 30 June-Oct. gjK Yes Maple Canyon $40 40 May-Oct, gw Yes Old Folks Flat $30/$75 20/60 May-Oct. gfwj Yes Potters Ponds $40 50 June-Oct. gwj6K Yes Chute $50 50 June-Oct. g j Yes Twelve-Mile Flat $40 50 July-Oct. gfK Yes Buckeye Reservoir $50 50 May-Oct. gjK Yes Warner Lake $50 50 May-Oct. gfwj Yes 50 May-Oct. gf Yes 50 May-Oct. gf Yes 50 May-Oct. gfwj Yes Sanpete & Ferron-Price Districts Big Rock Lake Canyon Rec Area Lake Hill Monticello District Moab District Little Bear A&B $30 Buckboard ($40 for more than 10 vehicles) Dalton Springs $30 ($40 for more than 10 vehicles) $30 Nizhoni ($40 for more than 10 vehicles) Cabins NAME Indian Creek Guard Station LOCATION Near Ferron Reservoir at approximately 9,500’ Below Skylive Seely Guard Station Drive at 10,000’ Warner Guard Station At Warner Lake Campground at the end of Warner Lake Road (FR- 063) CAPACITY/ DAILY FEE FACILITIES SEASON/NOTES sleeps 4 $50/night Water (summer only); firewood (winter only); woodstove for heating; gas appliances; flush toilet July 1-Oct. 15 and Dec. 15-March 31. If not reserved, is open to firstcome, first served. sleeps 6 $30/night Woodstove and fireplace for heating; firwood (winter only); photovoltaic lighting; outhouse. July 1-Oct. 15 and Dec. 15-March 31. If not reserved, is open to first-come, first served. First constructed in 1908, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. sleeps 4 $50/night Toilets nearby; water; propane stove and fridge, shower May 30-September 15. AMENITIES RESERVABLE Warner Guard Station Seely Guard Station All opening dates are dependent on snowmelt and are not guaranteed. For more information, visit: www.fs.fed.us/r4/manitlasal/recreation/rentals/index.shtml 11 A ctivities Trails (non-motorized) From short day hikes to weeklong treks, the Manti–La Sal offers hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and backpacking opportunities. The following are just a few of our highlights: Trail Name Miles Location (1-way) Highlights Moab & Monticello Districts The Whole Enchilada (Burro Pass to the Colorado River) South Mountain Horse Pasture Wilderness Trail Peavine/ Woodenshoe Wilderness Loop Tuerto Canyon 26.2 This is a premier but difficult single track mountain bike trail. Located in the La Take the Geyser Pass Road from the Sal mountains, it crosses Burro Pass, follows the Hazard County Trail and merges loop road to Geyser Pass. Follow signs with the Kokopelli trail, then down the edge of the Procupine Rim, eventually to the Burro Pass Trailhead. ending at the Colorado River. Shorter portions are suitable for moderate hiking. 8.9 The trail starts on the east side of the La Sal Pass Road (FR-073) and ends on the west side of the La Sal Pass Road, across from the Squaw Springs Trail. Beautiful but arduous, this horseback and hiking trail circumnavigates South Mountain. The trail is the southern part of the Trans La Sal Trail, which traverses across the entire west face of the La Sal mountain range. Hikers will be rewarded with views of the San Juan, Abajo and Henry ranges while climbing through aspen and spruce/fir forests. 4.1 The trailhead is located south and west of the Gooseberry Guard Station. Take FR-5178 (located across from Duck Lake) to the trailhead. This is a beautiful day hike that captures the essence of the Dark Canyon Wilderness; hikers or horseback riders will enjoy spectacular vistas. The trail ends at the Scorup Cabin historic site. Bring plenty of water for this excursion—it is moderately difficult and the climb out is steep. 36mile loop From Blanding, take SR-95 toward Natural Bridges National Monument, then take a right turn through the Bear’s Ears. Go left on FR-5108 for both the Peavine and Woodenshoe Trailheads. This loop is a difficult multi-day hike in the rugged Dark Canyon Wilderness through canyons where route-finding is necessary. Recommended for the spring or fall, this loop encompasses the entire Wilderness. Water is scarce, planning paramount, and the rewards are great! These canyons were inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans and evidence of their culture can be found in numerous places along the route. 6.5 The best access to this trail is from Blanding. Follow the road toward Nizhoni Campground, but take a left on FR-5095 just before it. The Tuerto Canyon Trail is designated for hiking and horseback riding. Starting just east of the Causeway on FR-5095, it terminates along Shay Ridge in the northern part of the Abajo Mountains. There are numerous possibilities to create small, medium, or long loops. The trail winds through a unique landscape and into quiet places seldom visited. Good route finding skills are a must along this arduous route. Sanpete & Ferron-Price Districts Fish Creek National Recreation Trail #130 Castle Valley Ridge Trail System Left Fork of Huntington #131 Black Canyon #087 Canal Canyon Trail System Maple Canyon Trail System 12 10 Moderately difficult, this trail is open to foot, horse, and bicycle use. Cross-country Travel west on FR-0123 to Fish Creek skiing possible in winter months with adequate snow. The trail parallels Fish NRT Trailhead and campground. Ends Creek through open sagebrush, and provides access to some of the best stream at North Skyline Drive (FR-0150). fishing on the plateau. 21 Access from Nuck Woodward Road (FR-0110) This system consists of five trails of varying difficulty: Second Water Canyon (4 miles), Castle Valley Ridge (9 miles), Short Canyon (2 miles), Sawmill Canyon (4 miles) and Corner Canyon (2 miles). Although best travelled by foot or horse, bicycle use is possible on Castle Valley Ridge where you’ll have sweeping views of the valley 3,000 feet below. The trail is not accessible during w