View of Timpanogos from the upper Erindell Trail. Photos and ride review by Bruce on June 24, 2018.
The Stakeout Trail System is located in the cooler glens just east of Kyhv Peak. Each of the trails can be done as a nice out-and-back, or combined into a climbing route to the Kyhv Peak DH trails . The lower trails of Stakeout, called Lacey's Loops or the Kyhv Peak Circles , are discussed on another trail page. This page covers the "Dell" trails plus the Overlook Connector trail.
The trails are unmarked. From the Kyhv Peak Road, they're often impossible to see, even if you know exactly where they are. A good map and GPS navigation is recommended -- if you don't have a friend who knows the area and will give you the guided tour. (Note: Kyhv Peak was formerly known as "Squaw Peak." Kyhv is pronounced "kive" and is the Ute word for "mountain.")The Stakeout Trail System begins at 5300 feet elevation in the Kyhv Peak parking area, one
mile up the Kyhv Peak Road from US-189. It extends through a series of trails to 7700 feet
elevation near Buffalo Peak. Although not particularly technically difficult, the trails are
narrow and sometimes bumpy, so I recommend the ride for experienced intermediates with strong
legs and good aerobic conditioning. The riding season will be June through September.T
ypical terrain: Maple and occasionally oak groves with small meadows.
Sample of a road entry. The two rocks guard the upper Erindell trail from trucks and ATVs.
The trails can be accessed from the main Kyhv Peak Trailhead by riding uphill on the BST Access Trail to the Bonneville Shoreline . After turning right on the BST, it's 200 feet to a subtle trail on the left, the Lacey's Connector. This will take you 0.4 miles uphill to Lacey's Loops. After navigating (or blundering) through the loops to the uphill end, the Erindell trail continues uphill as the first in this series of trails.
You can also get onto these trails at several points where they approach or cross the Kyhv Peak road. See the Lacey's Loops page for several lower-canyon access points from the road.
This page will describe a climbing route from Lacey's Loops to Buffalo Peak, with a couple
of options. And although I've described the route as a climb up to the
DH trail
, it's a beautiful and fun ride as a descent.Simply FINDING the continuing trail will be your greatest challenge, so again, GPS and map.
Meadow of Mules Ear at their peak on the Overlook Connector trail.
The trails, bottom to top
Meandering back and forth through forest of maple and oak.
First, you need to arrive at the top of the loops. See the Lacey's page if you need more information.
The Erindell Trail begins on the southwest uphill corner of Lacey's Loops. It winds back and forth as it climbs 300 vertical feet in 0.8 miles before hitting the Kyhv Peak paved road. I refer to this section below the road crossing as "lower Erindell" and the portion above as "upper Erindell."The narrow track meanders through small meadows and groves of oak and maple. As it nears the
road crossing, Erindell enters a fir forest for a short time. This segment is different in
character from the rest of the system, which features small leafy trees alternating with meadows
with plenty of sunshine.
Dark and moody in the tall fir forest as we approach the road crossing.
Upper Erindell is a riot of wildflowers in small meadows as you meander through fir, maple and occasional aspen.
As you reach the paved road on Erindell, go to the left about 100 feet on pavement, then leave
the road to the right on what looks like doubletrack. It quickly turns into the singletrack
upper Erindell trail at the boulders.0.1 mile uphill, there's a meander loop option that will add about 1/2 mile to your ride. Most
riders won't see this bit of trail and will simply pedal past.
Upper Erindell will wind back and forth as you climb 300 vertical feet over 1 mile. Then it
makes a final short-but-steep run up to the paved road. Erindell reaches the road right at
the corner of the road fork where the connecting road to the Overlook branches away from the
main Kyhv Peak Road.
Looking east at Cascade Mountain from Erindell.
Getting started uphill on Ellendell.
To continue further uphill on the Ellendell trail, pedal about 50 feet west on the road toward
the Overlook, then turn left uphill on a faint singletrack. As with almost every road-to-trail
transition in this trail system, you probably won't see the trail unless you're standing on
the road looking straight into it.
Ellendell continues the winding character of the lower trails, alternating between small meadows
and groves of oak and maple. The first half of this trail tends to be steeper and more taxing.
Overall, you'll add 500 vertical feet of altitude over the 1.4 miles of Ellendell.
Looking back down toward the Overlook road spur, with northern Utah County, Utah Lake, and the Kennecott mine in the background.
Riding through some stout maples, headed for the next little meadow.
Ellendell will reach the Rock Canyon Back Trail (known as the Rock Canyon DH) at 7050 feet
elevation. Fork to the left (uphill) to continue climbing. If you're done, you can turn left
and start downhill.
You'll spend only 1/10th mile on a relatively flat portion of the Rock Canyon DH trail, pedaling
south. When you reach the now-gravel Kyhv Peak road, turn to the right and follow the road
around the turn. Immediately as you complete the turn, the Overlook Connector trail is on your
right.To use the Little Rock Canyon trail as an uphill, watch for it on the right 0.1 mile further
up the road. Both of these options involve some steepish climbing. If you want to skip that,
you can grind on uphill on the road and catch further trail on your right 0.3 miles uphill.
Looking south uphill on Rock Canyon DH.
Just getting started on the Connector. Not too steep here.
The Overlook Connector will climb over 200 vertical feet in 0.3 miles, so it's a bit of a grunt.
But it's pretty, with Mules Ear flowers and groves of maple.The alternatives are climbing lower Little Rock Canyon (very steep), or taking the road (dusty
and automobile-y). If you decide to head for Ashleedell, you'll find the entry to the trail
on your right 0.3 miles further up the road.
The trail gets a bit steeper as you climb. At the top, the lush forest gives way to a bald
hilltop. There are fabulous views from the top of the hill. It may make you glad you fought
your way to the top.Now the trail will turn to the south and descend steeply to join the Overlook Trail. Keep straight
at a "real fork" and a "sucker fork" as you coast downhill.
The beautiful stuff just won't quit!
Looking south. You can barely see the southern end of the Overlook trail as it reaches the junction with Little Rock Canyon in the saddle.
You'll spend 0.3 miles on the Overlook Trail southbound. When you reach an open area with evidence
of campers and picnics, it's time to find your continuing route.A hard 180-degree left will take you down the lower portion of the Little Rock Canyon trail.
90 degrees left takes you out to the gravel road. Straight ahead is the Little Rock Canyon
trail, which is your route to Ashleedell.
From the clearing near the road, keep straight and find a wide well-used trail heading south
uphill.After 0.1 miles climbing, it's time to leave Little Rock Canyon. (It will get impossibly steep
soon.) The trail fork is right at the big gap jump (see photo). Keep wide to the left as you
ride past it, and you'll find yourself on narrow singletrack heading uphill.
Looking at the gap jump on Little Rock Canyon from the entry to Ashleedell.
Riding southeast, with Cascade Mountain as a backdrop.
The Ashleedell trail is 1.3 miles long and will climb 700 vertical feet. There will be some
navigation challenges as the trail hits some forks. In general, that means keeping to the left
when you have an option. If all else fails, follow an eastbound trail out to the gravel road.
(On the day of my latest ride, moron four-wheelers had driven around in a large flat meadow,
basically erasing the narrow trail. I had to ride up the road and re-enter the trail from above
to find where I should have gone.)
The goal is to continue working south until you arrive at the trailhead for the Buffalo Peak
trail. Use any combination of trails and road that gets you there.Buffalo Peak starts right at the spot where the Kyhv Peak road reaches its highest point.
Lovely grassy meadows tend to erase trails quickly if there's not constant traffic in late spring.
Climbing through a field of Mules Ear on Buffalo Peak.
The Buffalo Peak trail is the wider trail heading south along the log fence before curving right uphill. It climbs gently for 0.4 miles to a fork with the Little Rock Canyon trail. At the fork, you can continue straight 1/4 mile to a viewpoint on the peak (hike-a-bike ahead!), or fork right on Little Rock Canyon to begin a downhill .
Great trails if you like solitude and a raw remote feel to your riding. These trails are uncivilized
but not cruel. Narrow and twisty, requiring good handling skills. Lots of beauty and great
riding, but not everyone will enjoy them.
Mules Ear in front of Mount Timpanogos.
Bottom to top navigation:
0.0 Kyhv Peak parking, ST uphill far east uphill end
N40 19.393 W111 37.957
0.2 Cross trail, keep uphill
N40 19.276 W111 37.886
0.5 R on BST N40 19.116 W111 37.815
0.55 L on connector trail
N40 19.124 W111 37.868
0.9 L to enter Lacey's Loops N40 18.902 W111 37.682
1.1 Fork L (R = short circuit)
N40 18.852 W111 37.696
1.3 Fork R (L = over to Luna's)
N40 18.751 W111 37.756
1.7 Keep R uphill (Erindell)
N40 18.687 W111 37.609
1.9 Fork L (R = over to road)
N40 18.604 W111 37.617
2.5 L on paved road N40 18.478 W111 37.641
2.55 R on DT to ST N40 18.476 W111 37.617
2.6 Keep straight N40 18.441 W111 37.644 3.5 Hard R on road at fork, 50 feet L uphill on ST
(Ellendell) N40 18.190 W111 37.568 4.9 L on Kyhv Peak DH N40 17.845 W111 37.089 5.0 R on road
N40 17.754 W111 37.052 100 feet, R on ST after turn (Overlook Connector) N40 17.733 W111 37.083
5.3 Top of hill N40 17.582 W111 37.152 5.4 Keep straight (Overlook trail) N40 17.551 W111 37.115
5.7 Straight across clearing to ST (Little Rock Canyon) N40 17.437 W111 36.836 5.8 L on narrow
ST at gap jump (Ashleedell) N40 17.381 W111 36.773 6.1 R (L = to road) N40 17.250 W111 36.559
6.2 East (L) N40 17.168 W111 36.471 6.5 R (L = to road) N40 17.099 W111 36.257 7.0 R on Buffalo
Peak at fence N40 16.976 W111 36.315 7.3 R on Little Rock Canyon N40 16.889 W111 36.543
On US-189 eastbound about a mile up the canyon, turn right on the Kyhv Peak Road. Drive one
mile uphill and turn left into the large parking area. Return to the road for a pavement climb,
or find singletrack at the uphill east end. N40 19.393 W111 37.956On the Kyhv Peak Road at mile 4.2 from US-189, go to the right to the Kyhv Peak Overlook. The
trail is just west (downhill) from the road. There's paved parking at the overlook and roadside
parking downhill. N40 18.075 W111 37.514Mile 5.6 from 189, on the right as the gravel road turns sharply left. N40 17.756 W111 37.052On the right as the road turns left at mile 6.1 N40 17.458 W111 36.806. The Overlook trail
is the northbound smaller trail closest to the edge; Little Rock Canyon heads north into the
woods.On the right at mile 7.7 from 189, as the road reaches its top elevation and crosses a saddle.
N40 16.952 W111 36.312Eastbound in Provo Canyon on US-189, go two miles up Provo Canyon to the Nunns Park exit and
turn right into the parking lot. Pedal uphill on paved trail, then turn right on the BST singletrack
N40 20.280 W111 36.475.Just before Canyon Road merges onto University Avenue, and just past the last homes, turn uphill
toward the water tank. Go 1/10 mile, then find a northbound trail on your left.
Riding resources for this trail:
Single-page riding guide
GPS track files and route (right-click and "Save as..."):
Track for
ride above
Multi-track
GPX area file
High-res area maps for printing:
View
topo
Upper
mountain aerial
Lodging, camping, shops:
Links to Provo
area resources
Bathrooms: None. Water: None. Camping: Hope CG, Rock Canyon CG Bike services: UtahMountainBiking
store in Lehi.
