Monte Cristo, Utah, Lightning Ridge

You won't find directions to this one anywhere on the internet.  We drove up State Road 39 out of Huntsville to the Wasatch Ridge road turn off onto a dirt road.  We then drove on that dirt road for about 4.5 miles to the trailhead, where we parked our rigs.  12 miles later, we ended up at Causey Reservoir, where we had arranged for shuttles back up to the trailhead to pick up the rigs.  You pretty much need guides for this one, the way we did it. One of our guides owns and runs the Red Cliff Ranch which offers horse back riding on their horses in this area:  Here is their web site for more information: http://redcliffranch.com/Horse_Rides.html   It was a spectacular ride with amazing views. I am not sure I would do it again, but might try riding up the trail for a few miles from Causey Reservoir, where guides would not be needed.  

(click on any photo to open enlarged images.)

August 10, 2012; Total distance: 12 miles; Maximum Altitude: 8,385 ft; Ascent: 1,374 ft; Descent: 4,120 ft; Trail conditions: Dirt, 65%, Rocky 35%

Our guide had a camp, where we stopped for lunch and plenty of conversation about jeans, boots and chaps.