Dream Packer Trail Adventures: February 2014

Thursday, February 13, 2014

North Ogden, Bonneville Shoreline

Accessed from the North Ogden Equestrian Park or the trailhead at 2750 N. Mountain Rd, North Ogden, Utah. If you are coming from the freeway, take Exit 349, North Ogden, follow 2700 N. directly east until Mountain Road, then turn north. The Equestrian parking is about a block north from the intersection. It is hot and exposed in the summer, but makes a decent mid-winter or spring ride. Take a look at the other post on the Pioneer trail, also accessed from here. http://dreampackertrail.blogspot.com/2013/10/north-ogden-pass-pioneer-trail-utah.html

(This trail now connects to a new portion which goes from "Pioneer" Trail south up the mountain and crosses Coldwater Canyon eventually connecting just above the trailhead on Mountain Road. The portion crossing Coldwater IS NOT RECOMMENDED for horses. There are portions of the trail that are extremely narrow with steep, unforgiving drop offs. No place to pass safely or even dismount or turn around.)

(click on any photo to open enlarged images.)

Two different places to park for access to the Bonneville Shoreline, North Ogden Divide Trails, Pioneer Trail, etc. There is more room at the Equestrian arena.

Here is another trail accessible from the Parking detailed above.

This is an optional place to park to access the shoreline trail. The address is 3400 N. 1050 E., North Ogden. 1050 E. goes directly north from 2600 N (The main road through North Ogden.) It shortens the ride, avoids some of the steeper drop offs and riding through orchards and subdivisions. There is room for one or possibly two rigs here.

I have ridden this portion of the Bonneville Shoreline trail a few times and each time I tell myself...never again. Not that it's that bad. But, it's rocky and dry with a few places with steep drop offs, more suitable for the trail runners that frequent it. Worth doing once, if you are ever in the area, especially in the spring when other higher trails are inaccessible. There are some lovely vistas of the valley.

This is a track of our January 25, 2014 ride. We cut through the orchard north of the trailhead to avoid the ice on the main trail. Then, we cut through a subdivision and onto the access road, eventually connecting with the Shoreline Trail. We rode a little ways on it, then veered off a trail that went west and connected to the top of 1050 E. Then followed that road down to the McGriff trail and back home.

Looking South at the trailhead parking from the orchard.

Bonneville shoreline Trail at the mouth of North Ogden Canyon

Photo courtesy of Ann Hyde

Bonneville Shoreline, Photo courtesy of Ann Hyde

Taking a "short cut" up through the subdivision.

Access road from the subdivision

Photo courtesy of Ann Hyde, access road from the subdivision

Looking back out over North Ogden

Photo courtesy of Ann Hyde

Recently, we decided to try the trail from the Pleasant View Trailhead. I have always wondered about this part of the trail and now I know. The directions and GPS coordinates are given below. It is quite a journey to get to this trailhead. You really need good directions. Plus, we ran into a detour on 500 W. Suggest using 900 W. if coming from the west. Go north from Pleasant View Drive on 900 W. or north from Elberta Drive on 500 W. The parking is at the end of a dirt road. There is NOT much space! We were able to turn around easily because there were no other vehicles. It is not particularly horse trailer friendly.

From either 900 W or 500 W. turn east on 4300 N (not well marked). turn left (north) on 350 W to 4600 N. (dirt road).

This is a track of our ride. We rode up to the power line road, turned west and rode to Pole Patch road, then came back and rode east on the power line road, which keeps to the right. Eventually, you run into No Trespassing signs. If you do, then try another trail to the north. The trail actually veers up to the north and you can connect into it. We didn't find it until we rode almost clear back to the trailhead. Total mileage this ride=3.5. 70% dirt, 30% rocky.

There is another nice trail that goes through some forest. It is the actual Bonneville Shoreline Trail. It goes up northwest from the power line road, then jogs back east, eventually connecting with the other doubletrack.

This is coming back on the "trail". It is very close to power lines. The wind was blowing and they were "humming" away.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Zion NP~~Hop Valley, Wildcat

This is a less traveled trail in Zion NP, more suitable to horse back riding than hiking. We have hiked from Lee's Pass Trailhead to Hop Valley Trailhead in one day. (We didn't know any better.) We christened Hop Valley as "Sucky Sand Valley." A good portion of it is privately owned acreage surrounded by National Park. Thus, there are usually cattle in this area and 2 cattle gates/fences must be traversed. Thus, the other name of "Plop Valley".

Just before connecting with LaVerkin Creek, there is a designated horse campground for "horse packing". It must be reserved and a fee paid before hand. Day rides do not require fees or permits. I believe a park fee receipt or park pass must be displayed on the parked vehicle at the trailheads on the Kolob Terrace access road.

There is a contact number on this website to contact for information on how this is to be handled.

http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/stockuse.htm

In talking to those who have ridden this trail, they recommend parking at the Hop Valley Trailhead. This is on the Kolob Terrace Road, which goes north out of Virgin, Utah. (I 15 S, Exit 27, head East follow 9 and turn left at the 9 sign toward Zion. Go through Virgin and at turn off for Kolob Reservoir. Go 12 miles (past 5 cattle guards) and turn left at Hop. If parking full, go on up 1/4 mile (approx) to big turn out and ride back to get to Hop Trailhead or ride Wildcat trail.)

Jon Tanner states: "Parking is tight. Room for maybe 3 or 4 rigs if everybody parks just right. It's just a tight loop that turns off the hiway. Bumper pull 3H or 4 H trailer make the loop very easy, My large 4H Gooseneck was tight. The paved road up the Kolob Terrace is windy and twisty, But my truck and trailer handled it just fine."

This is a link to "Joe's Guide to Zion NP" with some good information on this trail:

http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/hopvalley.cfm

Here is another link to a good website on both Hop Valley and Kolob Arch:

http://www.utahtrails.com/Backcountry%20pages/Kolob.html

Link to Clark Nielson's trip: https://www.ramblr.com/web/mymap/trip/136232#h=1&u_uid=136232&type=1&unit=1&page=11&stext=&active=0&sort=10&receivegid=

(Click on any photo for an enlarged image.)