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Mineral
Fork Trail - Big Cottonwood Canyon Story
and Pictures By Utah Outdoor Activities Back
To Utah
ATV Trails 
Staging
Area For The Trail Head Click
For Larger Picture
The
Mineral Fork Trail is the last ATV trail up Big
Cottonwood Canyon. This trail is projected to be closed, so before
you ride this trail check with the Wasatch - Cache National Forest Service
to be sure the trail is still open. I rode this trail in Sept 2003 and it
was still open and very well traveled by ATVers.
The
trail head is approx 6.5 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. The parking area
just appears to be a large pull out on the side of the canyon road. How
you know your in the right area is to look for a large metal gate on what
appears to be a private road. As you can see by the picture above, there
is not much room for parking. If you arrive at this trail and see several
trucks with trailers, you may want to ride this trail another day. 
Beginning
of the trail. Also picture of the large metal gate that marks this trail Click
for larger picture.
At
the beginning of the trail you will start a slow but steady climb up the
mountain. The trail switches back several times and you will cross a small
creek that cascades down two beautiful water falls. You
will also encounter the toughest part of the trail. Two large boulders
that have fallen off the side of the mountain making for one tight tricky squeeze. 
Picture
of boulders that have fallen off the mountain. Click
For Larger Picture 
Click
for larger picture
As
you continue up the trail you will still have a fairly steady climb
through aspen and pine groves. This part of the trail is the upper Mineral
Fork Valley. 
Picture
Of Trail In The Upper Mineral Fork Valley Click
For Larger Picture
The
most significant land mark on this trail is the Wasatch Mine. You will see
the mine tailings as you make your way through the valley. The mine also
marks the end of the trail. The mine entrance has a large metal grate to
keep people out, for a good reason, as this mine is known to have
bad air and is very polluted. There is a small stream that runs out
of the mine and the water has a light orange tint to it, so I would
highly recommend not drinking the water. The views on this trail are fantastic, we
saw several Deer and Mountain Goats. If you have not
ridden this trail before, I would recommend you do. 
Picture
Of Tailings Click
For Larger Picture 
Picture
Of Mine Entrance Click
For Larger Picture 
Picture
Of The Mine. Taken Through The Grate Click
For Larger Picture Directions
The
trail head is approx 6.5 miles from the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
When you pass the S turn you will have approx 1.5 miles. Look for a large
pullout on the right side of the canyon road. Also look for a large metal gate
that appears to be on a private road.
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