Middle
Fork
Submitted by members of the Back Country Horsemen of Utah
Disclaimer: The following trail description was
kindly submitted by horsemen in the Moab area. Use this information at
your own risk. As with all horse related activities, trail riding is a sport
with a considerable amount of inherent danger and risk. No guarantee is either
stated or implied that you will find any of the information listed below to be
accurate.
Middle Fork Wild Life Management Area
Elevation- 5034' at trail head and climbs to 7298' above Browns Hole.
Camping- Dry Camping only. There is a new Forest Service style outhouse.
Tie stalls are available with feed boxes.
Difficulty- Easy to Intermediate due to the elevation, climbs and
condition of the trail.
Condition of stock- Moderately fit
Best time of the year to ride- Open on the April 15th through Dec 31st,
bugs are tolerable even in the middle of summer.
Trail hazards that you may encounter- River crossings and mud on lower trail, water levels in
the river can be high in spring and the upper power line trail is rocky.
Moderately steep grades depending on the trail chosen.
Current level of use-
Hikers
– Low;
Bicyclist – None;
ATV's - None
Directions to Trail Head- Take I-15 to Ogden and take the 12th street exit. Turn east then proceed
through Ogden
canyon to Pineview. After driving 9.5 mi from I-15, road will fork, stay right
as if you are going to Huntsville.
At 14.5 mi, go straight through 4- way toward Eden, after 15.1 mi from I-15, stay right at
the fork and proceed on 7800 East (smaller road). At 17 mi, turn right at the
Middle Fork Management area sign. Proceed to the Parking/Camping area.
Directions on the trail- The trail begins Northeast of the
parking/camping area. Walk you horse through the green gate at the right of the
trail entrance. The trail forks with the left trail heading toward the power
line road and the right heading toward the Ogden river. The river trail is cooler in the
summer but the power line trail has a better view, whichever you take up you
can always ride the other back. If you take the river trail, the trail will
split after 1.87 mi, go to the left, up the to the power line trail or right
across the river. From this point you can take either trail. Should you choose
to cross the river in the spring, expect that the trail, which in dryer times
would track along the waters' edge, will be submerged by the river in a few
places. At 2.83 mi from the trailhead you should be at the place called 'Bus
Stop'. You will see a small wood shed and a fire ring on a small piece of land
in the middle of a fork in the river. From there you can take the power line
road that will take you up above Browns Hole (5mi from trail head) or if you
feel adventurous, you can continue to take the trail that follows the river,
which has more difficult riding. You may also choose to return to camp by the
power line road heading southwest from the bus stop. Note however that the
power line road will take you up a steep bank at the edge of the river but if
your horse is in fair shape you shouldn't have any problems.
New Trail: Trail from Middle Fork to Wolf Creek
is in work. Link will take you to route
map. Trail
to Wolf Creek This trail is flagged pretty well but
still a little light in places. It is
ROCKY and brushy in spots. There are
some water crossings. Tough trail but the Views are SPECTACULAR!
Remember always to use your best judgement. Always take a moment to
consider the suitability the weather, trail conditions, your horsemanship
skills, the skill of those in your party, and perhaps most important...the
physical and mental condition of your horses before each trip.
Safe
Trails !!!
Utah Trails
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