Having run the Northern portion of Skyline Drive up here in Bountiful I decided it was time to run the central portion of the trail system that runs from Tucker rest area to Salina, Utah. I wouldn't have known that this portion or the very southern portion of this trail system existed if it wasn't for some fellow members of this forum and others for the help.
The original plan was to leave at 5am to catch the start of the trail just as the sun was rising but work though a wrench into those plans and I was unable to leave till 1030 and was at the trail head at 1230 pm (which was okay since I need the $$)by the time I got back to pavement it was 820pm.
The trail system I found was broken up into 3 sections divided by a US 31. Access to the southern portion could've been taken by asphalt or dirt (still had to hit asphalt for a few miles to reach the dirt). I opted for the dirt.
The northern portion of the trail starts at the former Tucker rest stop which has been taken over by hwy construction equipment and trailers. The scenery along this stretch was great, the first section winded though pines and aspens along a dirt road that eventually turned into a gravel road though grass lands and forest as you progressed higher. The grasslands were filled with purple and yellow flowers more than what you see along the Northern trail system. ATV and vehicle was scattered along the way and what I assume to be hunting campsites were setup or in the progress of being setup. As you got closer to US 31 traffic picked up some.
The central section was a bit confusing as a wrong turned lead me to Fairview Lake. A quick turn around lead me back up a rutted dirt stretch of road then to a short gravel section before hitting US 31 once again and a quick mile jaunt down the asphalt to Southern portion of the trail.
The southern portion of the trail system was the longest stretch of trail. The first two you could easily maintain a good click this section not so. The first portion of this is more less maintained as a sign down the way indicates that the trail isn't maintained past this point which helped to deter a minivan and a Mitsubishi Mirage. The sections following where a mix of dirt, rocky areas and gravel roads (mainly where the trail lead to a city). Along the way you past though forest, boulder strewn sections of roads, grasslands and self-roads that provided views as far as you could see but would be a pain in the rain.
ATV tracks and side trails filled this area which lead down to resivors/ponds or down to established campgrounds. Avoid venturing off the ATV tracks even if they are wide enough for a vehicle or you might find yourself tipping on three wheels in a mud hole.
Unfortunately, do to a time constraint that I had the portion of the trail past the 12 Mile Canyon Campground required some Baja speed on my part to get back to hwy to get an prior arrangement I had so I was unable to enjoy the scenery like I had been. The final miles back to main road wound though aspen trees, grasslands, lakes/ponds and red rock outcroppings.
Overall, this trip is going to require a extended say to explore some of the side roads and visiting the lakes scattered throughout.
One close call occurred on this trip: coming around a single lane blind corner (S type turn)myself and a olive color Defender 90 about collided head on. He went to one side and I went to another only to bend the stupid retractable radio antenna on my 4runner.
Northern portion of this trail system
From the start
That which was the purple-nish (just a small portion)
End of the Northern portion
Middle portion
Southern portion (I have the most photo's from here)
The start
Terracing by the Forest Service that took place back in the 50's
Had to play in the snow
Tried to be artistic with this photo
Um, for size comparsion. Glad I wasn't around when it rolled/fell down
Old Cabin with a view
Warning sign
Highest point along Skyline drive, it's crazy to think that Imogene Pass in Colorado is a 2200' higher than this.
Need to come back and camp here
Final view, it's hard to believe that I was along that ridge line a couple of hours ago
The rest of the photo's can be found here (there's around 200 )
http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t...08-1-08%20GWT/
It may not be the best trip report or the best photo's but I hope you all enjoyed viewing.
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