![Gunnison Reservoir Trails Descending a swooping turn on the far southern side of the race loop, looking ea...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race03.jpg)
Manti Race Loop, Milk & Cookies, Prolific Loop
Just outside of Manti, there's nine miles of singletrack trail near Gunnison Reservoir. The riding area is officially called "Manti West." The 5.7-mile Manti Race Loop will be of most interest here. There's a second 1.2-mile loop called Prolific, connected to the main loop area by a one-mile traversing trail called Milk and Cookies.
![The Milk and Cookies trail is more primitive than the race loop, traversing the ... The Milk and Cookies trail is more primitive than the race loop, traversing the ...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Milk03.jpg)
![Entering the singletrack of the Manti Race Loop. Entering the singletrack of the Manti Race Loop.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race01.jpg)
Officially, you start the ride on the main gravel road at the far end of the day use area. Find the spot where the finish-line doubletrack joins the main road at the base of a hill. You'll ride south and uphill on the "shake-out sprint" of the main road. Climb 0.4 miles and 100 vertical feet up the road (keeping to the right when a smaller gravel road forks away on your left). Here the singletrack entry is marked by a carsonite post on the left side of the road.
The trail is well-engineered with swooping banked turns and a generously-wide riding surface.
![Descending a ravine as we begin the singletrack while riding the loop counterclo... Descending a ravine as we begin the singletrack while riding the loop counterclo...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race02.jpg)
![Cruising northbound along the hill west of the reservoir. The riding surface is ... Cruising northbound along the hill west of the reservoir. The riding surface is ...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race04.jpg)
Dirt-road crossings usually are well-marked with carsonite posts on both sides. But there are two spots where the trail joins doubletrack with non-marked road forks. If it's not obvious from recent tire tracks, you'll need to think about where the next stretch of singletrack must be, and navigate the road forks by faith.
As the trail enters a complex set of branching gravel roads, keep to the right. Turn right (east) as you hit the main day-use area gravel road at mile 1.8. Then fork left uphill after 1/10th mile and climb 50 yards to find the continuing singletrack on your right.
![Continuing north. The tan area at mid-right is the bottom of the reservoir, comp... Continuing north. The tan area at mid-right is the bottom of the reservoir, comp...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race05.jpg)
![A bit of marsh persists at the northern end of the reservoir in November. A bit of marsh persists at the northern end of the reservoir in November.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race06.jpg)
The trail curves around to head south and joins a narrow doubletrack that runs parallel to the main road at mile 4.5.
![View northwest from the final hill of the loop. The white spot near the center i... View northwest from the final hill of the loop. The white spot near the center i...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race07.jpg)
![A series of rollers and/or table jumps to break up the boring doubletrack return... A series of rollers and/or table jumps to break up the boring doubletrack return...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race08.jpg)
At mile 4.8 the doubletrack itself joins the main road, but the race loop veers off to the left on singletrack.
Keep right and climb the gravel road back to the main road where you started the loop.
![Heading down into the Day Use Area with some fun turns ahead. Heading down into the Day Use Area with some fun turns ahead.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Race09.jpg)
![On the warm-up loop, looking south. On the warm-up loop, looking south.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Warm01.jpg)
The northernmost of the two connecting trails is the official entry to the loop, climbing 100 yards to join the loop northbound. (The second trail about 100 yards south is the exit from the warm-up loop.)
![Looking north on the lower limb of the loop. The Milk and Cookies fork is straig... Looking north on the lower limb of the loop. The Milk and Cookies fork is straig...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Warm02.jpg)
![View to the north. View to the north.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Milk01.jpg)
![Approaching the Prolific Loop on the Milk and Cookies trail, northbound. The roc... Approaching the Prolific Loop on the Milk and Cookies trail, northbound. The roc...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-Milk02.jpg)
![Entering the Prolific Loop from the doubletrack, heading north. Entering the Prolific Loop from the doubletrack, heading north.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-ProL01.jpg)
If you arrived at the loop via Milk and Cookies, you'll first descend 1/4 mile on the downhill side of the loop, then turn left uphill on the doubletrack to begin the climb.
![Climbing toward the juniper forest. The shoulder at upper left is where the down... Climbing toward the juniper forest. The shoulder at upper left is where the down...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-ProL02.jpg)
![Looking from the doubletrack as we get ready to start the downhill. Looking from the doubletrack as we get ready to start the downhill.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-ProL03.jpg)
![View to the east from the top of the loop. View to the east from the top of the loop.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-ProL05.jpg)
![Beginning the descent, hugging a juniper slope. Beginning the descent, hugging a juniper slope.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-ProL04.jpg)
![Rolling downhill through wide swooping turns. Rolling downhill through wide swooping turns.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/Manti-ProL07.jpg)
![Hash-marked areas on the map are doubletrack or gravel road. Hash-marked areas on the map are doubletrack or gravel road.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/maps/MantiRace.jpg)
From US-89 in Manti, turn west just south of the temple to get onto 500 North westbound. Drive west on 500 North, and after 1.7 miles it will become gravel River Road and turn to head northwest. At mile 2.8 from US-89, fork to the left to head south. At the fork at mile 3.3, turn R to head west. The road will then turn to the south again at mile 3.9. At mile 6.6 you may note the bottom of the Prolific Loop on your right as the road turns a bit to climb a small rise. The road then continues south. At mile 7.4, keep straight as a road forks to the left (heading for the Day Use Area). You'll spot trails on both sides of the road here, but keep going. At mile 7.7 as the road approaches a climb, there's a spot to park on your left, just as another dirt road joins on the left. (The smaller road on the left is the finish-line sprint for the race, and the main road is the shake-out sprint to start the race loop.)
Note that, as of 2021, there are NO road signs to guide you to the riding area from Manti. And no "you have arrived" or "park here" signs. You'll need to follow the instructions above!
Camping: no
Water: none
Bathroom: none
GPS track files and route (right-click and "Save as..."):
GPX multi-track file
Map above for printing: View map in new window
Lodging, camping, shops: Links to south Utah County resources