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The Hougaard Fork trail is another leg of the Arapeen OHV trail network. It is located approximately 10 miles up Manti Canyon. From the trail head you will also have the choice to ride the Bench Road. We rode the Hougaard Fork trail in mid June, which seemed to be a great time. At the beginning of the trail you have to cross a small stream. This is the same stream that forms the Milky Falls so the run off determines its difficulty.
This trail is just a gradual climb, no major hills or obstacles for the first several miles. Because it was so early in the year when we did this trail there was a lot of water and snow melt all along it, so we got muddy. Approximately 4 miles up the trail it forks, you can continue north or east both are tagged trail 33. Trail 33 breaks off of trail 3 just below the Great Western Trail and makes a horseshoe back up to Jet Fox Reservoir. We chose to head east. Shortly after the junction we ran into a large group of ATVers heading back down the trail. They told us that we would run into a few snow banks heading towards skyline but that they were all passable, due to several people recently breaking through them.
Trail 33 east runs for about another 3 to 4 miles before you pop out on the Great Western Trail and by Jet Fox Reservoir. There was only about a mile or so of step slick hills on this portion of the trail. They of course were only slick due to the run off; none of this trail was difficult to maneuver so we had a great little ride. When we made it to Sky Line we of course stopped at the Jet Fox Reservoir to take in the view. At Jet Fox we got a nice view of a very large snow drift the spanned the ridge for miles.
After our stop there we headed south on the Great Western Trail until we ran in to the main Manti Canyon road probably another 4 to 5 miles, and then we jetted down the main road back to camp. All in all it was a great little ride nothing to strenuous, and of course some beautiful scenery. If you have never had the chance to view the Manti La-Sals you are definitely missing out.
Directions:
Hougaard Fork ATV Trail is located approx 10 miles up Manti Canyon. To get to Manti take highway 89. When in Manti turn east on 5th south. 5th south will take you to the mouth of Manti Canyon.
More Information:
Manti-La Sal National Forest
599 West Price River Drive
Price, UT 84501
Phone: 435-637-2817
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