The trail is located along the bottom of Mill Fork Canyon and follows a small perennial stream for most of its length. The upper mile leaves the stream and is steep with switchback sections. It climbs 2,600 feet from the Huntington Canyon trailhead (7,800 feet) to Forest Development Road (FDR) #244 (10,400 feet). The lower quarter mile of the trail passes through an area containing diverse species of trees including Ponderosa Pine, Curleaf Mountain Mahogany, Limber Pine, Douglas-fir, Cottonwoods, and three species of Juniper. At the upper elevations the vegetation consists primarily of Spruce and Fir with Aspen and open meadows occurring in some sections.
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 the trailhead in Mill Fork Canyon via East Mountain Trail #085 and Horse Canyon Trail #076. A loop trip including these trails would require a vehicle shuttle of 6 miles through Huntington Canyon. Total length would be 18 miles.
Trailhead: Approximately 2 miles up Mill Fork Canyon at the end of FDR 245. FDR 245 begins on the left side of SR 31 about 12 miles from Huntington, Utah.
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Very difficult
Travel Time: 3.5 hours from the lower trailhead
Suitability: Trail is suitable for foot and horse travel. Mountain bike riders can travel this trail, but sections would require pushing or carrying the bicycle.
Trail Ends: On East Mountain at the terminus of FDR #244
Additional Information
Recreational Opportunities: The lower 2.5 miles of this trail parallel the riparian zone along the stream, and contain several small pour-offs. Wildlife that may be encountered include deer, Goshawks and Coopers Hawks. Trail use is light throughout the summer and moderate during the big game hunting seasons.
Geology: Near the trailhead on the north side of the road is the reclaimed Huntington No. 4 Coal Mine, which produced coal from the Blackhawk Formation (approximately 78-82 million years old). The trail then passes through successively younger sedimentary rocks until it reaches the North Horn Formation (approximately 60-70 million years old) on East Mountain. These formations represent cyclic deposition along the shoreline of an ancient sea. Fossilized snails, clams, fish, and plants can be found.
History: In the fall and winter of 1878 Elias Cox and Charles Hollingshead moved their sawmill from Rilda Canyon to the flat in the mouth of Mill Fork Canyon because the water in Rilda was not sufficient to power it. The lumber produced was used to build the town of Huntington. Logging in the canyon was accomplished through the use of horses and steam driven yarding equipment.
Special Considerations: The trail is in a travel restricted area (see Travel Map), and is limited to foot, horse, and bicycle use only. Cross-country skiing is not recommended due to the steep grades on this trail and the poor snow conditions that usually exist at the lower elevations. Any drinking water obtained along the trail should be appropriately treated before use.
Maps
USGS 7.5' MAP(S): Rilda
USFS MAP(S): Manti-La Sal Travel Map, Manti-LaSal Recreation Map
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