Along the road there are panoramic views to the east across the
pastoral Sevier River valley to Monroe Mountain and Signal Peak Thompson
Basin. Below the cliffs is the site of the largest landslide in Utah,
while the edge of Monroe Mountain is formed by the Sevier Fault, which
extends southward to the Grand Canyon. The Pahvant Range rises on the
west side of the canal, here it is blanketed with volcanic rocks.
The Richfield Loop continues south along the canal for 4.1 miles
until it reaches the first underpass south of Richfield. This is a
narrow tunnel, wide enough for only one vehicle. The trail passes under
I-70 at this point, then turns northward along the frontage road on the
east side of I-70. The road is also known as Cove View Road. After about
one mile, there is an interstate sign saying "EXIT 37 1 mile."
At the intersection of Cove View road and 1800 west the trail turns
south to pass between fields of corn and alfalfa. Continue south about
three quarters of a mile to the first road to the left. Turn east and
continue to some houses and a street sign saying 6000 North Monroe and
1000 East Monroe. Turn north (left) to cross a canal and continue
northward to a paved road which is the Airport Road. Turn east (right)
on Airport Road.
This portion of the loop must be driven with caution because it is on
paved roads and it crosses old highway 89, a busy road between Richfield
and Elsinore. On the east side of old highway 89 the road becomes Main
St. About 50 yards after crossing 89, at 1100 North and Main, turn east
onto a dirt road.
Continue on this dirt road to the "T" intersection at 200
East and 1100 North. Turn south (right) to 700 North and 200 East. Note
that the street numbering changes in several places because the numbers
are based on different towns' coordinates. At 700 North and 200 East
turn east (left). This road crosses the Sevier River and adjacent
wetlands. These wetlands are a good place to stop to view waterfowl and
feed the mosquitoes.
East of the Sevier River, continue to the junction of the Annabella
road and Carpenter Road, 500 North. Proceed south on the paved Annabella
Road to 300 North and Main in Annabella, where the trail turns east
(left) again. The trail then goes through the north edge of town to a
jog at a canal where it again turns east (left) at 200 North and 200
East. After a block, the street is paved until it is east of the ball
field and cemetery, where it turns to gravel and continues east straight
out of town. After leaving Annabella, the road begins to rise gently
through sagebrush slopes and soon enters BLM administered lands.
Shortly after leaving town, the trail begins to pass through the
foothills of the Sevier Plateau, and juniper trees begin to appear. five
miles from Annabella the trail comes to the junction of Forest road 68
where there is a sign pointing to Cove Mountain Road and the Monroe
Mountain Road. The trail bears right and follows the sign. At this point
the trail marking changes from #04 to #068.
From this junction to Bell Rock Ridge the trail climbs the steep west
face of the Sevier Plateau. There are either four or six switch backs
along this segment of the trail depending on how much of a turn one
requires to call a "switch back". The road is relatively
smooth, allowing rapid travel, but you must be cautious because of the
sharp turns and other traffic that uses the road. About halfway to Bell
Rock Ridge the trail enters the Fishlake National Forest. At about this
location a series of trenches are carved into the hillside. These were
made for watershed protection. They trap and hold snow melt and rain
water, which slowly release it into the ground. Prior to construction of
these trenches the water cascaded down the slopes and caused floods in
the town of Glenwood.
At Bell Rock Ridge you have a sweeping panoramic view to the north
and west. To the west across the Sevier valley is the red and white
striped rocks of the Pahvant Range, while to the north the view extends
all the way to Mt. Nebo above the town of Nephi.
From Bell Rock Ridge the trail trends generally southward over swales
and low, rounded ridges. Oak brush replaces juniper that soon gives way
to aspen as the trail gently rises up the Sevier Plateau. The cool
groves of aspen in turn give way to sweet smelling spruce and sub alpine
fir.
Big Lake is the next landmark along the trail. this reservoired lake
supplies irrigation water to the area around Glenwood by way of Water
Creek. A little way south of Big Lake a side trail extends westward to
Deep Lake and Annabella Reservoir. All three of these lakes are fished
by local people. Also, there is a magnificent view of the Sevier Valley
from the top of the cliff northeast of Deep Lake.
About a mile south of Big Lake watch out for a sharp turn to the
right. If you miss this turn, you will be on Forest road 077 and
continue up the sagebrush swale south of Red Pine Ridge. The correct
thing is to turn right into the trees and continue on Forest road 68 to
Magleby Pass. At Magleby Pass the view is to Signal Peak to the west.
From Magleby Pass the trail continues southwest around the east side
of Monument peak through spruce and fir forests. These are several small
meadows that are vital forage areas for wildlife. There are also several
openings on the east side of the trail that afford views across Grass
Valley and to the Aquarius Plateau to the east.
About two miles before the junction with the main trail a turnoff to
the west Trail #63 leads a short distance to the Koosharem Guard
Station. This restored guard station was originally built in 1911, four
years after the Forest Reserve was proclaimed, and was the first guard
station in Utah.
The junction with the main trail is about seven miles west of the
town of Koosharem. It is in an open sagebrush flat where there are views
west to the radio towers on Monroe Peak and east across Grass Valley.
continued next page
[