The trail then descends into Kingston Canyon along a dry wash that is
also a utility right-of-way. This segment of the trail is one of the
roughest, and combined with some short, steep pitches is moderately
difficult. However the trail does cross Rocky Ford Creek and the East
Fork of the Sevier River on bridges before reaching Utah Highway 62. The
crossing of Highway 62 provides a potential trail head for those wishing
to ride the higher elevations of the Sevier Plateau.
The trail follows Forest access Road 068 out of Kingston Canyon and
onto the south end of the Sevier Plateau. This is a good road that
allows fast travel, but it also is the main access to the south end of
the Sevier Plateau so there probably will be other traffic. Caution is
required. The trail passes through woodlands of pinyon and juniper Rock
outcrops are volcanic conglomerates deposited by violent floods, which
resulted from thunderstorms caused by the eruptions of the volcanoes.
After about five miles of climbing, the trail enters the Fishlake
Forest on a sage flat. East of the trail is the rim of Forshea Mountain
where the rocks have been eroded into pinnacles and spires. To the west
are views of the Tushars, third highest mountain range in Utah.
Northward is the town of Marysvale in its valley. Near the turn of the
century this town was sustained by gold and silver mining in the
Tushars. In the forties, fifties, and sixties uranium mining in the
hills north and east of the town was the primary employment.
From about the head of Pole Canyon the trail crosses the Sevier
Plateau, a rolling upland. Views to the west are of the Tushars while
those to the east are of Grass Valley, Parker Mountain, the Aquarius
Plateau, Thousand Lake Mountain, and Boulder Mountain. The trail follows
a dirt road, Forest Road 068, that permits easy travel, except for a few
bumps and ruts. The south end of the plateau is covered with sage that
gives way to aspen and spruce fir stands to the north. In the 1950s
patches of sage were killed by chemical spraying and the area was
replanted with grasses. In the 1980s fire was used to remove the sage
and restore the grasses. Fire was also used in some stands of subalpine
fir to rejuvenate the aspen that was being crowded out. Aspen will
sprout from the roots after a fire, but the fir is killed. Aspen shoots
provide browse for wildlife; later the trees provide cover.
Near the head of Langdon Creek the trail turns west on to Forest Road
070. At the head of Dry Creek, the main trail meets the east leg of the
Marysvale Loop. This loop is described in a following chapter. The area
around Dry Creek Guard Station provides several areas for camping. The
guard station was once heavily used by rangers patrolling the mountain.
The trail then continues on a good road which provides easy travel
through grassy meadows and through aspen and conifer stands until it
winds past Manning Meadow Reservoir. On a hot summer's day this
reservoir looks very inviting for a swim to cool off. But at this
elevation, close to 10,000 feet, the water never is really warm enough
for swimming.
The trail soon enters the Box Creek drainage on Forest Road 078. At
Lower Box Creek Reservoir the trail comes out onto sage flats and starts
down the mountain. Lower Box Creek Reservoir is marked by a prominent
yellow clay pit. Material from this pit is transported to the Salt Lake
City area and used in making refractory, or heat resistant bricks.
Before starting down the mountain, you might find it worthwhile to stop
and fish the Box Creek Reservoirs.
North of Box Creek Reservoirs the trail continues across sage flats
with scattered stands of aspen. Mountain meadows, surrounded by spruce,
fir and aspen forests, provide forage for elk and deer At dusk or dawn
riders often can see these magnificent animals grazing in the meadows or
ambling across openings. There are views of the mountains to the east;
they are Boobe Hole Mountain, Fish Lake Hightop, and Mytoge Mountain.
From the junction of Forest Roads 068 and 076 the main trail follows
076 to the east. However it is only about a two-mile side trip
northwesterly on 068 to the Koosharem Guard Station. This is the oldest
Forest Service guard station in Utah. It was built in 1911, four years
after the Forest Reserve, predecessor to the National Forest, was
proclaimed. It is now being restored and will serve as an interpretive
site to show what things were like when horses were the main means of
travel in the western mountains.
Milos Kitchen, located just below a low cliff, is an excellent place
for camping. Here the trail leaves the road to follow an old horse trail
down the side of the mountain, before returning to the main road and on
into Koosharem. While fun and easy to ride, roads and trails on this
side of the Sevier Plateau are extremely slippery when wet. When dry
they can provide fast going.
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