Castle Valley Ridge
Non-Motorized Trail System

View the PDF map/guide for this trail system

The Castle Valley Ridge Trail System offers hikers, bikers and horseback riders access to some of the most breathtaking scenery on the Wasatch Plateau. At 7.500 to 10.000 feet, these high-elevation mountain trails provide magnificent views of surrounding valleys. When combined with 11 miles of interconnected. single-track dirt roads, a 35- mile trail system is available for public use and enjoyment.

The Ferron/Price Ranger District developed the trail system during 1992-94 in unique collaboration of business and government partners, resulting in the renovation of 14 miles of deteriorated trail, along with the construction of 10 miles of new trail and two trailheads.

This system includes five distinct trails which can be traveled individually or combined to form a trail loop. The Short Canyon Trail and Trough Springs Ridge are part of the Great Western Trail. All trails in this system are open to foot, horseback and bicycle use --motorized vehicles are NOT permitted. Overnight camping is not allowed in trailhead facilities. There are several dispersed camping sites located near each trailhead and developed campgrounds in nearby Huntington Canyon.

Access to the trail system is available from three directions:

East Side - The Second Water Trailhead is located 17 miles west of Price. This semi-remote trailhead can be reached via Consumers or Pinnacle Peak County Roads and Forest Road (FR) 011. Each access road contains lengthy segments of dirt surfacing which is generally passable by two-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicles. However, travel can become nearly impossible during thunderstorms or snow melt periods. Parking for vehicles and horse trailers and areas to tie and unload horses is available.

South Side - The Nuck Woodward Trailhead is located 21 miles northwest of Huntington on Utah Highway 31, and one mile north of Utah Highway 31 on gravel-surfaced FR 110. Parking for vehicles and horse trailers, an area to tie and unload horses, and a handicap-accessible toilet and horse mounting facility is available.

North Side - CIear Creek is a small mining community located south of Scofield on Utah Highway 96. From Clear Creek, FR 110 or 257 can also be used to access the trails. These two Forest roads can become impassable when wet. There are no trail-head facilities at Clear Creek.

Favorite Trail Loop Experiences:

Second Wafer loop - From Second Water Trailhead, travel up Second Water Canyon Trail to Castle Valley Ridge Trail; south on Castle Valley Ridge to Corner Canyon; down Corner Canyon Trail and return to the trailhead on FR 048 and 011. This 14-mile loop is a challenging experience for hikers and horseback riders. Due to steep grades, it is not recommended for bicycles. This loop offers the most diverse and spectacular scenery of the trail system. It is a hard one-day or easy two-day trip.

Castle Valley Ridge loop - Hike, horseback or bicycle up FR 110 from Nuck Woodward Trailhead, then travel down Castle Valley Ridge Trail back to the trailhead. This 15-mile loop provides panoramic views into valleys 3,000 feet below, along with superb views of the Book Cliff Mountains and San Rafael Swell. Horseback or bicycle riders can finish this loop in one day. Hikers may elect to make this a two-day trip.

Sawmill Canyon loop - Hike, horseback or bicycle up FR 110 from Nuck Woodward Trailhead to Sawmill Canyon Trail. Travel to midway on ridgeline, then return to the trailhead by FR 018 and Short Canyon Trail. This 11-mile loop levels out at 10,000 feet, providing spectacular views into Huntington Canyon and beyond.

Trail Etiquette

• These trails are generally multiple-use, so you can expect to encounter others.
• Accepted trail etiquette calls for bikers to yield to hikers and horseback riders. Hikers yield to horseback riders.
• When encountering horses, it is best to stand on the downhill side. Speak to the riders so the horses identify you as a "non-threatening" human.
• Bicycle riders should control speed on downhill sections to avoid meeting hikers or horseback riders unexpectedly.
• All trail users need to be aware there are permitted sheep and cattle grazing these areas from approximately July 1 to September 30. These livestock occasionally use trails. Avoid spooking these animals by calmly letting then know of your presence and proceeding slowly while passing.
• Dogs must not be allowed to chase or harass livestock.
• Any gates should be left as you find them.

Wildlife, such as deer and elk, are also residents of this area. Most likely these animals will spot you before you see them. However, if you come upon them unexpectedly, never harass or chase them. Dogs must be kept under control around all wildlife.

For Your Safety

• Plan your trip according to routes and time available. Travel times will generally be slower due to high elevations and steep grades inherent to this trail system.
• Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Take maps and a compass if you are unfamiliar with the area. Travel maps are available at Forest Service offices in Ferron and Price. USGS 7.5 minute topographic quads of the area are: Candland Mountain, Wattis. and Scofield.
• The trails traverse high-elevation terrain which is susceptible to summer thunderstorms and fast-changing weather conditions. Trail users should be prepared.
• Any drinking water obtained from the area should be treated by boiling, chemicals or filtration before consumption.

Travel Restrictions

• The Castle Valley Ridge Trail System is located within a travel restricted area.
• Users are encouraged to stay on the trails.
• Shortcutting switchbacks lead to confusion for users, soil erosion and damage to vegetation.
• No motorized vehicles are allowed on these trails.
• All motorized vehicles must stay within 150 feet of designated Forest roads.

Back country campers should use the following minimum impact techniques:

• Use a fire pan or small backpacking stove instead of a campfire.
• If using a campfire. use only dead and down wood for fuel.
• Use existing fire rings instead of building new ones.
• Burn fires down to ashes and douse with water.
• Pack out all you bring in, and a little extra.
• Bury human waste at least 8 inches deep in the soil and 200 feet or more from all water sources and trails.

During periods of high fire danger, all fires may be prohibited in backcountry areas. Check with Forest personnel to determine if restrictions are in effect.

Emergencies should be reported to:
Stuart Guard Station (June-Sept)
See pdf map/guide for location
--or--
Emery County Sheriff's Office
(435) 381-2404

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.