Huntington Canyon~~Mammoth

     Last week (July 12) when we rode the Spring Creek trail, we saw another trail veering off to the south-west.  So, this week (July 18) we decided to ride it and see where it went and the trail condition. 

 Wow, a new sign!  A new trail.  I believe we were one of the first to ride it.  No bike or horse tracks.  Just mostly soft dirt.  What a fabulous trail!  Enough so, it needed its own post.  Aspens, evergreens, meadows, wildflowers galore, tiny stream crossings and wonderful views of the Huntington Lake/Reservoir.  

   There is also a parking option to park at the Mammoth site at the bottom of the reservoir. But, I would not recommend it--not much room for a trailer and riding across the dam is required.  There is a really "dicey" portion on the spillway which would be difficult for horses. So far, we definitely prefer the Snowkite parking option.  

    We ran into a crew of Snow College students working for the forest service clearing the trail.   Be sure and check out the Spring Creek post for access information.  Love these trails!  No noise, no dust, no sheep, no cattle, no logging, no gates.  (Update as of July 25, 2024.  We rode to the end at the dam.  That last mile is worth doing once, but it will be awhile before we venture that far down.  It is much more "open".  Nice views of the water, but it has a different "energy" because of more use--including people's trash. It adds 2 more miles to the round trip making it 8.8 miles.  We also checked out the beginning of the Towhead trail.  It had been overrun with sheep and didn't look that promising--a few aspens, but mostly open.  I think we'll pass on that one.)

New trail sign put it in within the last week.  1.9 miles from the Snowkite parking

The yellow arrow shows the signed cut off.

The Mammoth portion we rode I would rate at 98% dirt/grass and 2% slightly rocky.  

As of August 15, the ditches and creek have been covered over with pipes, dirt or bridges.

July 18, 2024

July 25, 2024

Crossing Spring Creek on the Mammoth Trail.  My horse "leaped" over the crossing.

  

  

(Update:  As of August 14, there is now a bridge!)

Meet up with trail workers at about 3.25 miles in.  Another small stream crossing.This is where we turned around.

 

Headed back, July 18, 2024

Typical of much of the trail on the south side of the stream crossing.

Lower portion, July 25, 2024

Lower portion, July 25, 2024

At the dam...

HUGE aspen tree at the beginning of the Towhead Trail.  Biggest I have EVER seen.  Worth seeing once in your life.

Link to a video showing some of what the trails are like--https://www.facebook.com/reel/471120178884968

Canal Canyon, Spring City

I would like to do a post on Canal Canyon out of Spring city because it seems to be so popular.  Even a TV video/interview on a Back Country Horseman ride.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hfF6GMv6A0

However, we have been deterred from even trying it.  A few years ago, there seemed to be no parking.  That issue has been resolved. However, there are a few miles of gravel/washboard/dusty road to get there.

 The photos I have seen are a mix of "oh, that's pretty" to "wow, no way do I want to take my horses on that."  Looks rocky and steep in places.  I have heard people refer to it as "rugged" and "overgrown."

So, as of now, I think we'll pass on this one.  There are other trails to ride that seem to have better views and that are easier for us to get to and more conducive to our "senior citizen" riding.   

Here are some photos I gleaned from public postings on the internet:

Here are some tracks and comments from "Rambler".  Note trails are mostly considered "moderate" or "Hard".

If anyone reading this has updated or other information on this, please email your photos, tracks or descriptions.

Huntington Canyon~Spring Creek

 A delightful, beautiful trail not available until July.  Leisurely stroll through meadows of wildflowers, aspen stands and some evergreens.  The trail is designated for foot, hoof and bike traffic.  No motorized, thankfully.  On our first ride there, we arrived at 7:50 am and no one in the parking lot on a Friday morning.  By the time we finished, it had many vehicles, some for 4 wheeler activity, some for hiking.  We met a few dozen hikers on our way out.   We definitely plan on coming back soon. This ride is up Fairview Canyon only a 28 minute drive for us.

June 7, 2024.  As we checked it out, too muddy and snowy.

July 12, 2024, much nicer

The parking is at "Skyline Snow Kite Launch" if you're searching on google.

2.5 miles one way.  Starts at 9,700' ending by the road at about 9,200'. Trail conditions=97% dirt, 3% a few rocks.  Excellent for barefoot horses. (update August 22: After all the heavy rain, dirt has been washed off some of the trail exposing some rocks--so it is now 90% soft dirt/grass and 10% slightly rocky.)

Parking area at the "bottom", but not recommended. Several campers there.  There is a small creek crossing right by the trees in the background.  Horses could drink there if thirsty. (Update:  August 15.  The creek here has dried up and the crossing has been filled in with flat rocks.)

The following photos were taken on July 12, 2024.  The only downside of this ride was the flies!  Be prepared with insect repellent.

August 22, 2024, Fall color already beginning

August 29, 2024

Beautiful autumn color, October 3, 2024