This trail is located along the bottom and south facing slope of Horse Canyon. It climbs 1,970 feet from the trailhead in Huntington Canyon (7,630 feet) to the top of East Mountain (9,600 feet). The trail begins in Spruce/Fir habitat and climbs through Aspen groves and open meadows. The trail width is approximately 18 inches wide throughout and is in good shape.
Trail Data
Access: This trail can be traveled from about mid-May through October. It is possible to travel up this trail and then return to Huntington Canyon via Left Hand Fork Trail #131 and Scad Valley Trail #170. A loop trip including these two trails would require a vehicle shuttle or walking about 1 mile along the highway. Total length would be 14 miles. Another loop trip that could be made would be to return to Huntington Canyon by way of East Mtn. Trail #085 and Mill Fork Canyon Trail #171. This would require a vehicle shuttle of about 10 miles. Total length would be 19 miles.
Trailhead: Approximately 18 miles from Huntington, Utah, on the west side of SR 31 (Huntington Canyon)
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel Time: 3 hours from Huntington Canyon
Suitability: Trail is suitable for foot, horse, and mountain bikes
Trail Ends: At Scad Valley Road (Forest Development Road 014)
Additional Information
Recreational Opportunities: Wildlife that may be encountered include deer, elk (summer), Black Bears, Coopers Hawks, and dippers. Trail use is light throughout the summer and moderate during the big game hunting seasons.
Geology: This trail begins in the Mancos Shale (approximately 85-100 million years old) and climbs through successively younger sedimentary rocks until reaching the Castlegate Sandstone (approximately 76-78 million years old) on top of East Mountain. Ascending the trail you will pass through the Blackhawk Formation (approximately 78-82 million years old) from which most of Utah's coal is produced. Most of the rocks along the trail represent cyclic deposition along the shoreline of an ancient sea. Fossilized snails, clams, fish, and plants can be found.
Special Considerations: The trail is in a travel restricted area (see Travel Map), and is limited to foot horse and bicycle use only. It is recommended that only more advanced bike riders attempt this trail. Any drinking water obtained along the trail should be appropriately treated before use.
Maps
USGS 7.5' MAP(S): Rilda
USFS MAP(S): Manti-LaSal Travel Map, Manti-LaSal Recreation Map
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