Sheepherder Loop

 

Sheepherder Loop, along with the Blawkhawk trail are two of the best singletrack rides around! The Sheepherder trail is one of those "impossible, uphill loops"!! With all of the short climbs on the last half of the ride, and the majority of the descending on a smooth gravel road, it feels like this loop is uphill all the way! This trail is relatively new, and has a few rough spots when descending down through Big Spring Creek....but it is all rideable, and an absolute joy. You'll find yourself having a tough time keeping your eyes on the trail as you descend (and climb) through the stands of old growth pine!

How to get there: Take the Payson exit off of I-15, follow the signs for the Nebo Scenic Loop and Payson Canyon. The trailhead is about 9 miles up the Nebo Scenic Loop road. It is signed for "Sheepherder Trail" and is on the right hand side of the road, just before a cattle guard.

Rating:

Scenery:

Length: 12.5 mile loop, OR (at 9.28 miles hang a RIGHT, not a left at a "T" in the trail. And climb back up through Kuntz Flat to the Rock Spring trail, then down to trailhead. This makes it a 16.3 mile loop!! But a forewarning, this adds 685' of climbing in 1.22 miles!)

 

Sheepherder Loop Profile (without the Kuntz Flat climb)

For at topo, click here:

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Click on the thumbnails for a larger version:

Mike enjoying the great singletrack through the quakies!

Santaquin Meadows, and Mount Nebo

Mike on one of the many climbs in Big Spring Creek

Chance picking a line through the old growth pines.

One of the best singletracks in the State!

At 9.28 miles, left for the trailhead, right to add a few miles of singletrack and yet another climb!