Central Utah

By Señor Rojo

This is the state’s heartland, where ancient and modern history blends dramatically with the spectacular landscapes of the West. This midland is an interesting transition zone between the geologic wonders of southern Utah and lofty peaks of the north.

From the bucolic villages of the Sanpete Valley, to the pine-shrouded Skyline Drive atop the Wasatch Plateau, from the Little Sahara Sand Dunes to the snow-draped peak of Mount Nebo, the adventures in Central Utah span the spectrum.

The forested 28,170-acre Mount Nebo Wilderness is host to the largest peak in the Wasatch Front—Mount Nebo. Early Mormon pioneers christened this 11,877-foot pyramid-shaped pinnacle after Mount Nebo in Palestine, which means “Sentinel of God.”  Accessed via the Mount Nebo Loop, a 38-mile road that winds through forests and across high ridges, stunning views extend north along the Wasatch Range, and south across the plateau country to the mountains fading in the horizon.

During the summer months, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, mountain biking, backpacking, horseback riding, sight seeing and many interpretive stops. Autumn dazzles with flamboyant crimsons, brilliant golds, and deep purples, giving the Mount Nebo Loop the acclaim of one of Utah’s most beautiful drives. In winter most of the byway closes, leaving an untapped frosty delight for backcountry touring, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers.

Utah’s highway to heaven is Skyline Drive. One of the nation’s highest unpaved roads, it extends 87 miles along the spine of the Wasatch Plateau with elevations at 9,000 to 11,000 feet. The drive begins just south of Soldier Summit in Utah County and runs south through Sanpete County to its end at I-70 in Sevier County. The route has incredible views of the patchwork quilt farmlands surrounding Mt. Pleasant and the Sanpete Valley, in stark contrast to the contiguous swirling knobs and buttes of the Castle Valley desert and the San Rafael Swell.

Adventure-seekers can ditch their vehicle, grab a mountain bike, and tackle the Skyline Trail. Often compared to the famous White Rim Trail in southeastern Utah, the Skyline is a multi-day trip, rolling through gorgeous alpine scenery at elevations that boast cool temperatures throughout the summer months. Mountain bikers can follow the sections for non-motorized travelers to avoid competition with motorcycles and cars. For the most part, the myriad of forest service roads and trails are in good condition, though they can become rutted and potholed from weather, wear and tear.

If your prize of choice is more along the fly-lines of trophy trout, try your luck in the numerous lakes and streams including Electric, Huntington, and Cleveland Lakes. There are many streams in the area, including Huntington Creek, that provide rich and productive stretches of water with a wide variety of opportunities for fly or bait fishing.

The nationally recognized Paiute ATV Trail winds through 270 miles of the region’s most scenic terrain. Rated as one of the best 15 trails in the country by Dirt Wheels magazine, much of this loop is in the Fishlake National Forest or on lands administered by the Richfield District of the Bureau of Land Management. ATV enthusiasts, hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians can explore more than 800 miles of marked offshoots and more than 1,000 miles of side roads through twisting canyons and foothills. Every June hundreds of ATV riders descend upon Richfield, just off Interstate 70, for the Rocky Mountain Jamboree.

The Paiute ATV Trail extends from Fillmore and Salina at the north edge of the loop to Circleville to the south. The topography varies; not all segments are designed for all types of use. On the east, the trail passes near Koosharem Reservoir, a small yet popular fishing hole. At the south end, it passes near the birthplace of Butch Cassidy, a famous outlaw at the turn of the century. Outdoor enthusiasts can also hike countless dizzying summits and explore meadows woven with wildflowers like multi-colored Indian blankets.

Each year, thousands of snow geese flock to the lakes and fields surrounding Delta. A Snow Goose Festival is held the first weekend in March that showcases their dance in flight and also includes an arts festival, car show and Indian POW wow. Utah State wildlife officials explain bird migration and habits as spectators marvel in this unparalleled outdoor classroom. A short drive west of Delta leads to Great Basin National Park, just across the border into Nevada.

Maple Canyon, located 2 miles northwest of Freedom and 7 miles west of Moroni, is a narrow red-rock canyon that is heavily wooded with maples. It is also one of the nation’s top rock climbing areas and has recently been gaining notoriety for ice climbing. The canyon’s most unique feature is Box Canyon, a dead-end gorge from 500 to 700 feet deep, half a mile long, and so narrow in places that a person can touch both walls at the same time. Near-continuous vertical slopes and an odd conglomerate of rock with imbedded cobblestones are additional factors that lure rock climbers to scale its walls, like spiders on crimson silk.

Little Sahara Recreation Area is a modern-day souvenir of ancient Lake Bonneville. Located on the east-central edge of the Great Basin, Utah’s largest sand-dune field was formed by the Sevier River, which once flowed into Lake Bonneville some 15,000 years ago. Southwest winds, after picking up sand particles, were deflected downwind 180 miles. A 124-square-mile system of giant, free moving, sand dunes ultimately appeared. The Little Sahara Recreation Area extends over 60,000 acres of juniper and sagebrush hills and has two of the world’s largest sandboxes near the White Sands Campground and Jericho Picnic Area.

Situated high in the southwestern corner of Central Utah, Fish Lake is surrounded by national forest lands named, appropriately, Fishlake National Forest. After picking up supplies at one of the classic timber lodges in the area, hikers and mountain bikers can hit some of the many diverse trails around the lake and up the surrounding peaks and plateaus. A classic Fish Lake fat tire ride is the 25-mile Mytoge Mountain Loop. Mostly on exciting dirt roads and singletrack, the route is geared to strong intermediates, and includes an 800-foot grind to the top of 9900-foot Mytoge Mountain. The energy exerted is well worth the payoff, since lofty viewpoints along the way take in the sweeping panoramas of the high plateau region and the shimmering lake below. If your choice of bikes is the one with skinny tires, the 13-mile Fishlake Scenic Byway along Fish Lake to Johnson Valley Reservoir presents spectacular alpine scenery, particularly in the fall. Abundant wildlife call this area home. Waterfowl and bald eagles frequent the shores, while the surrounding meadows and woodlands support deer, elk, moose and mountain lions. Rainbow and Mackinaw trout ply the waters of the lake.

For addition information:   www.seviercounty.com