Dinosaur National Monument
Chew Ranch Road

ACCESS

Route begins in Dinosaur National Monument, 20 miles East of Vernal at the lower parking lot just beyond Monument entrance station.

MILEAGE/RATING

24 mile loop, 15.9 miles on pavement and 8.1 miles on dirt. This is considered an intermediate ride, with some short, steep sections, which could be walked.

OTHER INFORMATION

A fee is collected at entrance station, $5 per car or $2 on bike. Keep your receipt so you can re-enter Monument on loop return. Receipt is good for 7 days. Traffic is moderate to heavy in summer, with truck traffic on Hwy 40 year-round. Best time to ride, spring or fall, or early morning in summer. Desert terrain so carry plenty of water! Side tours can be taken to Quarry as well as Cub Creek and Josie's Cabin. Pick up brochure at beginning of tour.

ROUTE SUMMARY

Beginning at lower parking lot, route travels on main Monument road, across the Green River (5.4 mi from start) then continues 2.4 miles further. Turn right, just past the # 10 marker on the Cub Creek Tour. Route continues to a dirt track winding up the hill to the right. Look for a wooden fence and Monument Boundary marker 400 yards ahead on the road. Continue for another .5 mile, staying on main road. Road forks a couple of hundred yards ahead, bear right. Travel down the hill for 1.1 miles and cross the creek, continue up hill (400 vertical feet in about a mile). 3.7 more miles brings rider to pavement. Turn left, ride for 1.5 miles, then turn right onto Hwy 40, being very cautious of highway traffic. Turn right at Jensen intersection (1 mi I onto Hwy 149, then ride 6 miles to return to Monument and completion of loop.

Bonanza Loop

ACCESS

From center of Vernal, ride SE on Hwy 40 to city of Naples, 4 miles. Turn right at Naples City sign. This is Highway 45.

MILEAGE/RATING

Upper Loop is 47.8 miles round trip and Lower Loop is 78 miles round trip. Both loops are on paved roads. Because of length, hills and some long grades, this route is considered advanced.

OTHER INFORMATION

Traffic is fairly light on Hwy 45 but moderate to heavy on Hwy 40, with year-round truck traffic. The best time to ride this route is spring or fall. There is no shade so take plenty of water! There are milepost markers along Hwy 45, which can be used as reference points.

UPPER GREEN RIVER LOOP

Ride south on Hwy 45. 7.2 miles brings rider to the Green River. 9.2 miles beyond the River is a road junction, turn left. Much of this road parallels the Green River.13.2 miles brings you back to Hwy 40, near Jensen.

During the summer, rafters. canoers and kayakers may be seen running the River. In spring and fall, Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes and other waterfowl may be seen. Antelope are frequently seen grazing in the sagebrush.

Turn left, using extreme caution as you enter traffic. Route crosses the Green River again on an historic bridge. Return to Vernal on Hwy 40, 13.3 miles from the Dinosaur National Monument junction in Jensen.

LOWER LOOP

Continue south from the Upper Loop return junction. As you travel next 13 miles, large power transmission lines from Deseret Generation Power Plant cross the route. Also along the route are oil wells, pipelines and tank farms from the Red Wash oilfield.

At mp #20, a high point is reached. affording views of the surrounding country, including the Bookcliff Mountains in the distance. Wildlife such as deer, antelope and wild horses are often observed.

At mp # 11, the main route crosses the tracks of the railroad which hauls coal 35 miles from the mine to the power plant.

Another 6.2 miles brings you to a junction and the turn-around point on the lower loop, which will head you back to Hwy 40,17.9 miles ahead. On the return, watch for wildlife, including Golden and Bald Eagles, especially fall through spring.

Back to Hwy 40, ahead of you observe the faulted cliffs of Blue Mountain, with the Cockleburr Flats at the base. Turn left onto the highway being cautious of traffic. 8.9 miles from this junction is the Father Escalante Historical Marker, noting the first European to enter the area. Follow the last of the Upper Loop description for the return to Vernal.

Vernal/Lapoint Loop

ACCESS

Route begins at the information center at 235 E. Main in Vernal.

MILEAGE/RATING

This paved loop is 49.2 miles and is considered an advanced ride due to distance, as well as hills with moderate to steep grapes. Traffic on Hwy 121 is light, and moderate to heavy on Hwy 40 with truck traffic. The best time to ride is in the spring and fall. There is no shade on route so have plenty of water!

ROUTE SUMMARY

From Information Center, ride 5.5 blocks to 500 West (3rd light) and turn right. Travel 5 blocks to 500 North, and follow curve to left onto 500 North. Route travels through residential area and past the high school. About 3 miles further, a sign will indicate Lapoint ahead. You are now on Hwy 121.1 mile ahead will begin a slight upgrade and 2.2 miles more will bring you to the crest of a hill. For the next mile or so. the route follows rolling hills with moderate grade changes.

The next 6.7 miles travels through the broken outcrops and redrock badlands of Twelve-Mile Wash. A few miles further, route begins the descent into the farming community of Lapoint. Continue through town to a junction 3.45 miles ahead, turn left. Hwy 40 is 7 miles ahead and a sawmill will appear on your right. The road to Hwy 40 travels through fairly level farm country.

At the junction with Hwy 40. turn left being cautious of traffic. Another mile brings you to the small community of Gusher. Continue east on Hwy 40 and begin a long upgrade, which brings you back into redrock badlands. 7 miles from Gusher is the turnoff to Ouray Wildlife Refuge. A long ascent the next 10 miles brings you to a viewpoint of the Ashley Valley and Vernal below. Stop for a breather and enjoy the view. Continue on Hwy 40 to return to the Information Center.

Asphalt Ridge Loop

ACCESS

Route begins at scenic viewpoint on Hwy 40, 5 miles SW of Vernal.

MILEAGE/RATING

This route is a 7-mile loop, mostly on a good graded dirt road. 2 miles of loop is paved and follows Hwy 40. With no major grades. route is considered easy.

OTHER INFORMATION

Best ridden in spring, fall or early summer mornings. No shade so take water. Traffic on Hwy 40 is moderate to heavy with truck traffic.

ROUTE SUMMARY

From viewpoint, ride south on Hwy 40. 2 miles, to powerlines crossing highway. Make a sharp left on dirt road and follow the powerlines for 1.7 miles. Route goes over a low pass, then turns left (stay on dirt) and travels NW along the base of Asphalt Ridge. Watch for visible outcroppings of natural, black asphalt which give the ridge its name. Vernal was one of the first towns in Utah to have paved streets because of this deposit.

2.5 miles brings you back to the viewpoint. A few gates may be encountered . . . leave all gates as they are found.

Range Study Loop

ACCESS

Route begins 24 miles north of Vernal on Hwy 191. Notice a trail head sign on fence back from the highway on right. Turn right and park.

MILEAGE/RATING

Route is a 1 0-mile loop, all on dirt road. First 4 miles of trail are a gradual descent; one steep ascent of about .33 mile can be walked. The rest of trail is a steady, gradual ascent. and can be ridden with moderate exertion. Route is considered intermediate in difficulty.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Forest Service has placed bike route signs along trail. making it easy to follow. Be cautious of other vehicles using this road. Route can be ridden spring through fall. Little shade on route, take water. Good wildflower displays in spring and summer, as well as beautiful foliage colors in the fall.

ROUTE SUMMARY

From parking area, go through gate and follow bike route signs. Route travels SE for about 4 miles in a gentle descent. Views to east include rolling sagebrush with stands of aspen, and the large plateau in the distance, called Diamond Mountain.

At the bottom of the draw, route makes a sharp right and begins a steep pitch, about .33 mile long. The next 5 miles or so are a steady, gradual ascent, with the last .75 mile fairly level as it returns to point of beginning.

Bassett Springs Loop

ACCESS

Route begins 24 miles north of Vernal, on Hwy 191. Park in same location as Range Study Loop. Route begins across the highway, to the west. Look for the trail head sign.

MILEAGE/RATING

Route is a 4-mile dirt loop and has a steep ascent and descent. Down grade on loop return has strap rocks, is rough and requires good control of bike. Because of these factors, this route is rated advanced.

OTHER INFORMATION

Best times to ride this route are spring through fall. Terrain is varied: vegetation includes aspen and conifers with intermittent sagebrush openings. Because ride is strenuous, carry plenty of water. The Forest Service has also placed bike route signs on this trail.

ROUTE SUMMARY

From parking area, cross highway to trail head sign. Follow bike route signs. Surface of road is fairly good on the ascent except for one short, sharp, rocky stretch about 1.5 miles up. Route tops out on Grizzly Ridge about 2.5 miles from beginning, with views to the south from this vantage.

From here descent is steep with a continuous sharp rocky stretch and demands skill to maintain control. Route bottoms out about .5 mile from the top, and the remaining stretch has one slight upgrade before leveling off back to the highway.

East Park Loop

ACCESS

Route begins 18 miles north of Vernal, at the junction with the Red Cloud Loop and Forest Service Road #018. Turn left at junction and park.

MILEAGE/RATING

Entire loop is 32.5 miles, with 9.5 miles on pavement and the rest on gravel and dirt. Elevation changes are gradual except for one steep ascent on the return, approximately 7 miles east of Trout Creek Guard Station. Route is rated intermediate to advanced, because of the length.

OTHER INFORMATION

Traffic volume is light to moderate and road is used by logging trucks as well as other vehicles. Water is available at East Park campground mid-June to early September. Because of higher elevations, road is open late spring into mid to late fall. This road has also been marked with bike route signs by the Forest Service.

ROUTE SUMMARY

Staying on paved road, travel NW 9.5 miles to the turnoff to East Park Campground. At this point the paved road ends and gravel begins.

The next 12 miles, to the Trout Creek Guard Station, travel through rolling country and across many drainages from the High Uintas. Through this section many acres have, and are being logged. Watch for trucks. The road junctions at the Guard Station can be confusing, but follow the bike route signs and turn left, heading back toward Hwy 191 and Vernal. This open park-like area is known as Trout Creek Park and is popular for fishing. In the summer, wildflowers blanket the meadows; and the autumn brings brilliant fall color.

On the return, approximately 7 miles from the junction, the route drops down and crosses Big Brush Creek. From here it is approximately 4 miles back to the highway and the beginning of the route.

Sheep Creek Canyon Loop

ACCESS

Route begins 6 miles south of Manila, Utah, on Hwy 44, at Sheep Creek Gap and Forest Service Road #218. Turn right and park near dumpster.

MILEAGE/RATING

The entire loop covers 19.7 miles. The route is mostly paved, but because of road deterioration in the canyon, short sections have been"raveled. Because of some long grades and length of route, this loop has been rated advanced. A geology wheel designed for Sheep Creek Canyon may be purchased at either the Manila District Forest Service office or Vernal District office.

OTHER INFORMATION

Loop is open late spring through mid to late fall, due to its elevation. There is no reliable water available. Water from Sheep Creek or Big Spring must be treated. Traffic on Hwy 44 can be steady in summer and there is some truck traffic.

ROUTE SUMMARY

First 5.5 miles are fairly level and travel through an open valley. past the historic Dowd grave site and into the narrow confines of Sheep Creek Canyon.

Stop at Big Spring and observe how it gushes from a spring in the canyon wall. Water flow is fairly constant at 25 cubic feet per second. Just ahead is the northern exposure of the Uinta Fault, and past the fault is a picnic area. Beyond the picnic area, the road leaves the canyon bottom by a series of switchbacks. A view point ahead gives the best view of the Uinta Fault.

The route tops out after a steady climb of about 5 miles and heads toward Hwy 44, 2 miles ahead. Back at the highway, turn left, being careful of oncoming traffic. The rest of the route will be on the main highway and fairly level for the next 2 miles. Be sure to stop at the scenic viewpoint for a beautiful view of Sheep Creek Bay on Flaming Gorge.

The next few miles are at an 8% downgrade to the turnoff to Sheep Creek Bay. There are several switchbacks here, and you must pay close attention to traffic flow. There is one last ascent of about .5 mile before the road bottoms out at Manns Campground. Another mile will return you to parking area and beginning of loop.

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