Ashley National Forest

The Forest includes 1,384,131 acres located in northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming, approximately 100 miles east of Salt Lake City via US. Highway 40. It falls into three geographical areas: The east-west range of the Uinta Mountains, the Wyoming Basin, and the Tavaputs Plateau. Elevations range from 6,000 to over 13,500 feet. Steep canyons, high mountain peaks, glaciated basins, large open meadows and desert"badlands" all contain a rich diversity of vegetation and wildlife. Beginning in the lower and drier areas of the high mountain desert country, grasses and shrubs grade into pinyon and juniper forests. At the mid-elevation areas, aspen dominates and changes to mixed aspen and high mountain evergreens, followed by pine dominated areas. Grasses and stunted twisted evergreens are found above timberline. Wildlife is abundant. Larger species include bear, mountain lion, moose, elk, mule deer, antelope and the recently reestablished Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Neighboring lands include the Uinta and Ouray Indian Reservation to the south, the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National Forests on the west and north sides, and a mixture of Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands on the east and southeast end. Compared to other National Forests, relatively few small tracts of private land occur within the Ashley National Forest Boundary.

Recreation Opportunities -There is a wide variety of recreation opportunities on the Forest including hiking, biking and horseback riding in wilderness and backcountry; hunting big and small game; fishing in streams, rivers, lakes and ponds; camping and picnicking; boating and floating; rockhounding gathering Forest products and driving for pleasure. Cross-Country Skiing opportunities are numberous. Specific areas of interest include the cross-country ski trails around Flaming Gorge and Dinosaurland, along the Utah/Wyoming border. The scenery in the Uinta Mountains is outstanding. Three major recreation attractions of national significance are the High Uintas Wilderness, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Sheep Creek Canyon Geological Area.

The High Uintas Wilderness, established by Congress in 1984, includes 456,704 acres on the Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests. Elevations range from 8,000 to 13,528 feet atop Kings Peak, the highest in Utah. The Uintas defy the trend of most mountain ranges in North America by running due east from the Wasatch Mountains into Colorado. Pre-Cambrian rock from sediments laid down over 600 million years ago makes up the core of the range. Since then glacial activity has carved deep canyons and has left a spectacular landscape including a mixture of rolling treeless peaks and stratified ridges interspersed with broad meadows and numerous lakes. Now the mountains are covered by a coniferous forest below 11,000 feet, and the meadows have lush vegetation and streams. The Wilderness is accessible from July through September. Numerous marked trails offer backpackers and horsepackers wilderness adventure ranging from moderate to strenuous. There are numerous trailheads and campgrounds from which trips can be started and visitors may arrange for horses, guides and equipment.

Flaming g Gorge National Recreation Area lies in the northeast part of the Forest. Flaming Gorge Reservoir extends almost 90 miles into Wyoming offering great boating and fishing opportunities. Record breaking German brown trout and large lake trout, mackinaw and rainbow trout are regularly taken from the waters of the reservoir. The Green River below the dam is a Blue Ribbon trout stream. The Little Hole National Recreation Trail parallels the river 7.3 miles from Flaming Gorge Dam to the Little Hole Day Use Area. River running this section of the Green River is another favorite pastime for visitors. Equipment is available from nearby concessionaires. The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is accessible throughout the year via paved roads. Visitor centers are located at Red Canyon and Flaming Gorge Dam.

Sheep Creek Canyon Geological Area is approximately 5 miles south of Manila, Utah and is part of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. This spectacular canyon is filled with twisted, folded rock formations. During the first two weeks of September, Kokanee salmon run from Flaming Gorge Reservoir to spawn in Sheep Creek.

Multiple Use - More than recreation is offered by the Forest. Timber harvesting, including the removal of sawtimber and firewood, improves the local economy by providing employment and heat. Domestic sheep and cattle graze by permit in harmony with deer, elk and moose in selected areas. Mineral activities are mostly in the form of oil and gas leasing. These and other activities are carefully managed to keep the soils, watersheds, wildlife and fisheries productive for future generations.

Accommodations and Supplies - Forest accommodations include primitive and developed camping facilities. Cabins and motel units are available in some of the canyons along the south slope of the Uinta Mountains and at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

Supplies and services, including restaurants, lodging, gas and groceries can be found in the towns of Duchesne, Roosevelt, Vernal, Manila, Dutch John, Green River, and Rock Springs.