Rock Springs Loop Trail
The Rock Springs Loop in Payson Canyon is a great singletrack ride with terrific views. This trail covers some of the same territory as the 18-mile Blackhawk Loop Trail, but at 11 miles it's significantly shorter. Starting at 7900 feet elevation, the trail climbs only 500 feet, but up-and-down riding will make the total vertical about 1800. Surface is intermediate technical.
Riding Notes, opposite the Ranger Station:
0.0    From the fenced parking, head R up the ridge
Find the trail as the doubletrack ends
N 39° 55.535' W 111° 37.753'
0.25  Trail joins Blackhawk, turn R
N 39° 55.410' W 111° 37.574'
0.55  Fork R (L= Blackhawk Loop)
N 39° 55.147' W 111° 37.617'
1.9    Reach road, cross to parking area
Trail continues through fence
N 39° 54.542' W 111° 38.373'
(Ignore smaller trails, keep southwest)
2.6    Fork R and slightly uphill at trail sign
N 39° 54.155' W 111° 38.337'

4.4    Reach doubletrack, go R to paved road
N 39° 53.824' W 111° 39.324'
Turn left on road
5.9    Fork R onto Santaquin Canyon Road
6.9    Fork R off road onto Rock Springs Tr
N 39° 54.398' W 111° 41.624'
7.7    Keep straight (L=Schram Tr)
8.0    Straight (R=Lizard Lake Tr to Road)
8.7    Straight (R=Tie Fork or Frank Young Tr)
9.9    Fork R on Rock Springs (L=Jones Ranch)
11.1  Doubletrack, continue straight to road
N 39° 55.676' W 111° 38.068'
Turn R on road, then L 0.1 mile later
11.5  Back at vehicle

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. Set your odometer now! Keep going up Payson Canyon.
To start from the Ranger Station trailhead , drive 12.8 miles from Payson. Just past Payson Lakes, you'll see a trail sign on your right. The dirt road here connects to the Rock Springs Trail 0.1 mile up. Go PAST this road 1/10 mile, and turn left across from the Ranger Station. Go 1/10 mile to park. The trailhead is at a tiny ways up the dirt road on your right, at the top of the ridge. GPS N 39° 55.535' W 111° 37.753'.
For the Blackhawk Trailhead , continue up the road to mile 14 and turn left at the fork to Blackhawk Campground. About 1/10 mile down the road, there's a turnout on the right. The trailhead is at the log fence, heading west. GPS N 39° 54.542' W 111° 38.373'.

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.