Elk Park Elk Park is located in the Uintah Mountains just southwest of the Flaming Gorge recreation area. The turnoff from Highway 44 (if you decide to start your ride there) is located just within the boundary of the recreation area, but within 1/4 mile you're in the Ashley National Forest. At Elk Park there's beginner-level dirt road and ATV track for camping families, plus the tough Elk Park Loop for advanced riders. The Trail 14 version of the loop is an adventure of varied adversity. The alternate via Trail 13, while easier, is still tough.

Riding notes, Elk Park 14 Loop 0.0   From Highway 44, west on FR 539 N40 51.232 W109 40.647 2.2   Straight at Elk Park (L = return path) N40 51.180 W109 42.720 Descend into Carter Creek on 539 3.8   Deep Creek CG N40 51.304 W109 43.783 Start climbing uphill 4.6   Keep straight (R = Scraper Spring 366) N40 52.251 W109 45.025 6.1   Keep straight (L = trail 007) N40 52.380 W109 45.442 6.2   Keep straight (L = FR 628) N40 52.418 W109 45.562 6.6   Fork L on FR 221 N40 52.651 W109 45.554 (straight = to paved Sheep Creek Rd) 7.8   L on FR 005 N40 52.653 W109 46.910 9.3   Ute Mountain Fire Lookout Tower N40 52.296 W109 47.540 Straight ahead to 005 singletrack 10.7 Keep R N40 51.694 W109 48.496 Head to R of spillway

11.0 Cross bridge then dam N40 51.860 W109 48.569 11.1 L through fence from parking area N40 51.762 W109 48.629 Carter Military Rd (trail 16) 13.1 Keep L (R = alternate tr. 14) N40 50.433 W109 48.025 14.2 L on trail 14 at far side of Youngs Park N40 49.997 W109 47.045 (Alternate: straight on 16 another 1-1/2 mile, left on trail 13 for 3 miles) 14.7 Through swamp N40 50.060 W109 46.715 17.4 Steep plunge to Deep Creek 17.5 Cross Deep Creek then East Fork N40 50.647 W109 44.009 Ridiculous uphill hike-a-bike 17.7 Finally at top 18.6 Join trail 13 , keep straight (north) N40 50.960 W109 43.095 18.8 Keep L (R = FR 229 southbound) N40 50.965 W109 42.886 19.2 Back at 539 , turn R 21.4 Back at highway 44.

Getting there: When coming from I-80, the pullout for FR 539 is 16.5 miles from Manilla on Highway 44, on the right side of the road just after you've finished climbing up from the Carter Creek canyon. Look for it 3.2 miles past the paved Sheep Creek Road (or 2.5 miles from the Dowd Mountain TH). If coming from the east, the turnout will be on your left 9 miles from the visitor center turnoff (12.7 miles from the fork with SR 260). If you descend into a canyon, you went too far. Copyright 2012 Mad Scientist Software Inc. Trail layout and conditions change. Use this guide at your own risk.