Blackhawk Loop Trail (includes Rock Springs Trail)
The Blackhawk Trail is a narrow singletrack that twists through aspen and pine along the top of the Nebo Loop in Payson Canyon. Elevation is 8000 feet. The loop we describe here (18 miles) is for very strong riders but requires only good intermediate technical skills. You can make a shorter loop by connecting other trails in the area (see below). The big loop has only 800 feet of elevation change, but you do it three times!

Riding notes, from the Loafer Mountain Trailhead:
0.15  Fork R uphill through gate
N 39° 56.497' W 111° 38.499'
1.5   Fork L downhill (R = out to road + Rock Springs Tr)
N 39° 55.819' W 111° 37.822'
2.2    Keep straight as trail comes in from R
N 39° 55.410' W 111° 37.574'
2.5    Fork L  N 39° 55.147' W 111° 37.617'
4.7    Gate, Blackhawk Campground
Continue to parking, cross road
N 39° 53.568' W 111° 37.203'
Trail always continues across pavement
leaves CG at N 39° 53.246' W 111° 37.557'
5.9    Cross trail at top of ridge (R=down to road)
N 39° 53.479' W 111° 37.788'		6.7    Fork R (L= to Beaver Dam Trail)
N 39° 53.955' W 111° 38.085'
7.1    Straight at fork (R=road, L=Beaver Dam)
N 39° 54.155' W 111° 38.337'
8.9    R on DT to road, turn left on road
N 39° 53.824' W 111° 39.324'
10.4  Right on Santaquin Canyon Rd
11.4  Fork R on Rock Springs Trail
N 39° 54.398' W 111° 41.624'
13.2  Keep straight (L=Schram Tr)
13.4  Straight (R=Lizard Lake Tr to Road)
14.2  Straight (R=Tie Fork or Frank Young Tr)
15.4  Fork L on on Jones Ranch
Alternate loop = R = Rock Springs
17.0  At paved road, turn R uphill
17.8  Back at vehicle

Shorter loops: Blackhawk-Bennie Ridge Loop: After the Blackhawk Campground, keep right at the next two intersections and climb up to the campground road . Go across the pavement to ST and roll back to the Blackhawk trail. Length 9 miles. Tie Fork to Rock Spring: Instead of turning onto pavement at the Loop road, go straight across to the singletrack trail (Tie Fork Spur or Frank Young Tr). You'll join the Rock Spring trail near a gate at the ridgetop. Turn right, grind over Done Ridge, and run straight down the canyon. Length 13 miles. East Rock Spring Trail: Start the ride at the ranger station, joining the Blackhawk Trail via the connector east of the road. (This skips the whole Bennie Creek area.) After your loop, continue straight on the Rock Spring Trail, instead of left down the Jones Ranch Trail. MOST bikers on the Blackhawk Loop seem to select this option!

Getting there: Going south, take the Payson exit 250 from I-15 and turn left. Head into Payson on U-115 to the traffic light, then turn left (100 North, U-198). About 1/3 mile later, at the top of a small hill, turn right at 600 East. Drive 11.7 miles up the Nebo Loop Road to a small turnout on your left at GPS N 39° 56.447' W 111° 38.652', with a sign "Loafer Mountain Trail."

Copyright 2002 Mad Scientist Software Inc

Trail conditions change, and the layout of a trail may change without notice. Use this trail guide at your own risk.

Blackhawk Trail Map