Great Hikes in Northeastern Utah
The Flume Trail – Located a half hour outside of downtown Vernal, the Dry Fork Canyon Flume Trail is an incredible hiking opportunity worth the drive. The flume trail is open to hiking, mountain biking and horses. In the winter this is a popular cross country ski route or snowshoeing area. This multi-user trail follows Dry Fork Creek and the Red Cloud Loop Road. It is beginner, intermediate in fitness so it is a perfect hiking trail for anyone wanting to get out in nature. Dry Fork canyon is spectacular with some gorgeous scenery. In the spring and early summer, you will be able to follow the creek as it flows with winter run off. Eventually the runoff gets low enough that Dry Fork’s water seeps into the ground and does not flow along the creek’s streambed. Along the trail you will be interspersed with aspen and pine trees with the opportunity to see mule deer, if your lucky a moose and tons of sweet bird life. The canyon itself is a narrow, steep walled canyon with some incredible sandstone cliffs.
Little Hole Trail – We love taking a one-day raft trip along Utah’s world-famous Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam, but did you know there is an excellent hiking trail that follows the river? The first 7 miles of the Green River or Section A as it is most commonly known has a well-maintained hiking trail. This trail is most commonly used by fly fisherman looking to get into a little dry fly action from shore. You can park at either end of the trail and choose your adventure. There is parking available at the Flaming Gorge Dam River entrance or at the Little Hole Recreation Area. Take a camera, water, and snacks, it is easy to make a full day out of this hiking trail. The scenery is beautiful, plenty of wildlife to view and lots of great locations to sit back in the shade and enjoy watching the Green River flow by. There is a ton of great things to do in the Flaming Gorge area, taking a hike along the river is a must see and do if you are in the region.
Jones Hole Creek Trail – Located about an hour and a half from downtown Vernal, Jones Hole Creek is an oasis. This trail follows Jones Creek, a perennial spring fed stream originating from the limestone formations underneath Diamond Mountain. The head of the stream is the United States Fish and Wildlife trout hatchery. Here the biologists raise Colorado Cutthroat trout, Kokanee salmon and Rainbow trout for Flaming Gorge Reservoir and other local streams and rivers. Once the creek leaves the hatchery it flows through a geological wonderland of incredible cliff formations leading to the Green River approximately 4 miles downstream from the trail head. This trail is gentle with little elevation gain or drop. It can be very hot in the summer months so plan your hike accordingly, carrying plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks. A popular side stop is Ely Creek to butt dam falls. This little side stream to Jones Creek has a small waterfall half mile from the main trail that is a refreshing spot to cool off. Watch for Native American rock art sites (remember do not touch the art), wildlife and fish in the stream. This is a popular hike with rafting groups who are coming down the Green River Gates of Lodore or Yampa River. You may encounter other folks who have been out for 4 or 5 days on Colorado whitewater rafting adventure.
Looking for other great hiking options in the area? Check with Uintah County Travel and Tourism, Dinosaur National Monument, United States Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management for trails in the region.
