 | Smith Creek Lakes Smith Creek Lakes is an ATV-track trail from Francis Peak (above Farmington) to three small glacial cirque lakes. The trail rises over ridges then falls into the cirque basin of each lake. The trail lies at high altitude (over 9000 feet) and has a few semi-stiff climbs with loose rock chunks, so despite its short length it's fairly strenuous and requires intermediate skills. This is a beautiful ride with high WOW factor. The ride is 3.2 miles each way, with total climbing (round trip) of 900 feet. Many riders include a portion of the Francis Peak road as part of the ride. Starting from the fork near Farmington Flats, add 4.5 miles (one way) and 2200 vertical feet. From the trailhead in the foothills (below), add 12.3 miles and 4700 vertical, for a round trip of 31 miles! |
| Riding Notes, Smith Creek Lakes 0.0 ATV track to right of gate 0.6 Straight (R goes to view) N 41° 02.184' W 111° 10.162' Alt=9300' 1.1 Fork R (L = Great Western) N 41° 02.493' W 111° 50.303' 1.2 Straight (R down to primitive camp) N 41° 02.615' W 111° 50.259' 1.4 Straight and down switchbacks "Cheater routes" reconnect 2.0 First lake 3.2 Last lake N 41° 03.387' W 111° 50.483' Alt=8700' track continues 0.3 miles to flat for primitive camping | Bonus hillclimb from Farmington (4800
vertical!) |
| Getting there:
Exit I-15 in
Farmington. Get to the corner of 600 North and 100 East. (The most direct
route there was blocked by construction at the time of my visit 7/03.)
Turn north (left if you're going up the hill) on 100 East. Keep right
at
the fork. Park on the left just past the fork (trail information sign)
GPS
N 40° 59.808' W 111° 53.060'. Alternative parking is found at the end
of
the pavement 1 mile up the canyon. To ride from the upper road fork, drive
up the canyon 7 miles and park to left of the fork N 40° 59.235' W 111°
47.986'. Copyright 2003 Mad Scientist Software Inc
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