Manti LaSal National Forest

This trail is located along the bottom of Fish Creek drainage and generally parallels the stream with multiple crossings. It climbs 1100 feet from the trailhead at Fish Creek Campground (7780 feet) to Skyline Drive (8880 feet). The vegetation ranges from willows and grass, along the immediate stream course, to sagebrush-grass on the south exposures of the canyon. Aspen stands and mixed aspen-conifer occur as the elevation increases. The trail width is 12 to 18 inches and tread condition ranges from packed mineral soil to very rocky. This trail is normally hiked from Skyline Drive, although many people also hike and fish along the lower 2 miles of the trail.

Trail Data

Access: This trail can be traveled from about mid-May through October. Many other trails access Fish Creek and provide routes into and out of the drainage. Access trails include: Johnson Ridge, C Canyon Ridge, Silver Creek, and Gooseberry Creek. There are several opportunities for loop hikes using these trails.

Trailhead: At Fish Creek campground approximately 6 miles from Scofield, Utah. Take the road running north from Scofield along the west side of the reservoir to the turnoff to Forest Development Road (FDR) #123. Follow FDR #123 to the campground.

Length: 10 miles.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.

Travel Time: 5 hours from Skyline Drive to Fish Creek C.G.

Suitability: Trail is limited to foot and horse travel only. Cross country skiing is possible with adequate snow depths.

Trail Ends: On Skyline Drive, (FDR #150) approximately 14 miles north of the junction of SR 31 and SR 264.

Additional Information

Recreational Opportunities: The area is inhabited by a variety of animal species, including mule deer, elk, moose, bear, lion, redtailed hawks, great blue herrons, and dippers. Beaver have built many dams in some parts of the stream and active colonies exist. Rainbow and Cutthroat trout are present throughout the stream. Trail use is moderate throughout the summer and big game hunting seasons.

Geology: This trail passes through the Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation (approximately 78-82 million years old) from which most of Utah's coal is produced.

History: The Fish Creek watershed was closed to motorized use, to prevent erosion from this area from entering Scofield Reservoir. This trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail by the Chief of the Forest Service on September 14, 1979.

Special Considerations: The trail is in a travel restricted area (see Travel Map), and is limited to foot and horse use only. The use of any motorized vehicle and bicycles is prohibited in the area. Any drinking water obtained along the trail should be appropriately treated before use.

Maps

USGS 7.5' MAP(S): C Canyon, Scofield Reservoir.
USFS MAP(S): Manti-LaSal Travel Map, Manti-LaSal Recreation Map