 | Fifth Water Ridge
(Upper Fifth Water 015, Center Trail 009, Fifth Water Ridge
014) This fabulous loop ride won't stay secret for long. The trail is located on the west side of Strawberry Ridge, a few miles north of Spanish Fork Canyon on Rays Valley Road. The route I describe here is 12 miles, climbing 1500 feet to a top altitude of 8400 feet. It offers mellow climbing punctuated by an occasional short but tricky steep, incredible views, and a long awesome downhill. Other options? Tougher riders can make this a 21-mile, 2800-vertical ride by starting at the Three Forks trailhead in Diamond Fork. Less aggressive riders can simply do Fifth Water as a 9-mile-total out-and-back. |
| Riding notes, clockwise loop: 0.0 East on DT (Fifth Water Trail) N40 06.346 W111 17.454 0.2 Cross rollover cattleguard to ST 2.0 Fork L on 009 (Center Trail) N40 07.177 W111 15.530 2.4 Keep L uphill, begin tough climb N40 07.516 W111 15.508 2.8 Climb eases 4.0 Springs, fence 4.1 Keep L on main trail N40 08.602 W111 15.486 4.3 Fork R on 014 (Fifth Water Ridge Trail) N40 08.733 W111 15.392 | 5.8 R on DT |
 | Getting there, via Spanish Fork Canyon:
On
I-15, exit on US-6 toward Price. Continue up Spanish Fork Canyon, passing
the Manti exit at mile 14. About mile 23, just after exiting the "Red
Narrows", turn left on the paved Sheep Creek Road. (It's immediately
before the gas station and camping area.) 7 miles up the road, pass the
Unicorn Ridge camping area (toilet!) and the Strawberry Ridge Road on your
right. Around mile 14, in the bottom of a valley, turn right into the
Fifth Water trail parking. The trail starts northeast on the doubletrack. Copyright 2009 Mad Scientist Software Inc
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