The Great Western Trail will be a continuous corridor stretching from Mexico to Canada, and traversing some of the most spectacular scenery in the West. Travelers on this network of trails will be able to explore the rich cultural and geological features of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah , Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
This multiple-use trail is to be a corridor across National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, National Park, state, and private lands. There will be separate sections open to motorized vehicles, horses, and mountain bikes, as well as to hikers. In some areas, parallel sections of trail are being constructed to provide for a variety of recreation opportunities.
Approximately 90 percent of the Utah portion of the Great Western Trail will be completed using existing roads and trails. The trail enters the state from the north near Beaver Mountain on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and continues south through the Uinta, Manti-LaSal, Fishlake, and Dixie National Forests. It crosses BLM land before exiting into Arizona.
To assist travelers, the entire trail will be signed using the Great Western Trail symbol. The Utah section will include a covered wagon symbolizing the pioneer spirit.
The state of Utah is divided into 10 travel regions. The Great Western Trail crossed through six of these regions.
Traveling south along the Great Western Trail you will enter Utah and the Wasatch-Cache National Forest near the head of Logan Canyon and travel along the east side of Logan River dropping into the Blacksmith Fork drainage. Interesting side trips might include visits to historic Tony Grove Ranger Station or visits to the ever popular Ricks Springs. You may want to visit the grave site of renegade bear, Old Ephraim. Fishermen using the trail may want to try their luck in the Blacksmith Fork drainage as the head toward Hyrum where the trail turns south toward the small towns of Paradise and Avon.
The trail follows road #162 into Weber County, crosses the North Fork of Ogden River and then turns west towards Ben Lomond Peak. Trail users will enjoy beautiful vistas of the Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake Valley as they follow the Skyline Trail to Ogden Canyon. The route then passes Snow Basin ski area on past Mt. Ogden heading down Beus Canyon to Ogden. Heading south along Highway 89, the trail turns east near Hill Air Force Base and climbs to the top of the Wasatch Range past Francis Peak. It follows the crest of the range past the historic Davis County Watershed and into City Creek.
Going south, the trail crosses the historic Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express Trails and then passes under the freeway (I-80) at the Lambs Canyon interchange. The trail then heads up Lambs Canyon into Mill Canyon and onto the crest of the Wasatch Range again. Trail users should note that restrictions regarding animals (pets) along this section are in effect because of the watershed requirements of Salt Lake City.
The Uinta National Forest section of the Great Western Trail is 65 miles long. Beginning at Sunset Peak east of Lone Peak Wilderness, adjacent to Wasatch Mountain State Park, the trail parallels an area rich in mining history. The trail continues south, joining the Ridge Trail adjacent to Mt. Timpanogos Wilderness. Access to this wilderness will provide the traveler with an opportunity to view waterfalls, glacial cirques, rugged terrain, and wildflowers. The trail continues south through the South Fork of Provo Canyon and east down Strawberry Ridge, displaying some of the most rugged country on the forest. Strawberry Reservoir, part of the massive Central Utah Project, can be viewed in its entirety from this section of the trail. Watch for wildlife such as mountain goats, elk, moose, bear, deer, and many small animals and birds along the route. The trail follows the Tie Fork Drainage to Spanish Fork Canyon, and then continues onto the Manti-LaSal National Forest.
This 85 mile section of the trail across the Manti-LaSal National Forest follows Skyline Drive form the small town of Tucker to the Sanpete and Sevier county line. Along this scenic route, you will be able to enjoy fishing in adjacent streams and lakes. The 11,000 foot trail offers a birds-eye view of the area including the unique desert landscape in the valley to the east. Several parallel trails are being planned for foot, horse, or mountain bike travel. Highlights along this section include: camping and fishing in the Gooseberry-Fairview Reservoir area; a side trip to Joe's Valley Reservoir for camping and fishing; camping and fishing at Ferron Reservoir; a short side trip to Grove of Aspen Giants Scenic Area.
This section of trail on the Fishlake National Forest starts at the White Rim offering spectacular views of Salina Canyon to the south. From there the trail heads southwest through aspen stands and meadows, past 10,986 foot Musinea Peak, along Dead Horse Ridge around Bull Valley Mountain and past Steve's Mountain, eventually crossing I-70 near the Gooseberry Interchange. Trail users then head southeast on a combination of trails and roads passing such interesting places as UM Plateau, Windstorm Peak, Willies Flat Reservoir, and Floating Island Lake. You may want to stay overnight at the Elkhorn Campground located adjacent to the trail Users along this section of the trail will enjoy the picturesque stands of aspen and conifer interspersed with meadows, opportunities to enjoy periods of solitude, and spectacular vistas of the San Rafael Swell, Henry Mountains, LaSal Mountains, Burr Desert, and Waterpocket Fold. The trail continues south past Thousand Lake Mountain and the towering cliffs of Hells Hole into Red Rock Desert. It follows Sand Creek into Torrey where trail users will be able to buy supplies at the small general store.
Trail users wanting more information about the trail across the Dixie National Forest may want to stop at the Teasdale Ranger Station three miles away. The trail heads south out of Torrey along the county road onto the forest and up Fish Creek drainage to Boulder Top. The walk across the top will be the highest point on the trail in Utah with some elevations above 11,000 feet.
The trail leaves the top at Bowns Point and heads southwest through stands of aspen and open meadows with some stands of ponderosa pine. Fishing opportunities abound in lakes and streams near the trail. Camping is available at Blue Spruce, Posey Lake, Barker Reservoir, and Pine Lake.
The trail travels along John's Valley Road to Ruby's Inn and then into the East Fork of the Sevier River Drainage where it leaves the forest at Crawford Pass. This section of the trail offers interesting side trips to Bryce Canyon National Park. In fact, you may want to hide an alternate route down Podunk Creek through Bryce Canyon National Park. Remember that animals are not permitted in the park.
The trail heads south on BLM administered land, down Meadow Canyon to the Deer Springs Ranch eventually reaching Deer Spring Wash. Trail users will enjoy the change of climate and vegetation as the trail enters a more arid part of the state. Stands of juniper stand out against the backdrop of Navajo sandstone common to the area.
The trail continues south into Kitchen Corral Wash crossing Highway 89 into Kaibab Wash where the Utah trail reaches one of its lowest points, at approximately 4,800 feet. Turning southwest, the trail enters Arizona near Pine Hollow Canyon.
Wasatch-Cache National Forest
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Manti-LaSal National Forest
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Dixie National Forest
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Utah Travel Regions
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Other Participating Agencies
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Boy Scouts of America Offices
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Pamphlet - The Great Western Trail, Corridor of Diversity, Utah Section. USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Ogden, Utah. 23.97.407/89
Map - Dixie National Forest. USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Ogden, Utah. 28.44.407.01/82C Reprinted 1991
Map - Fishlake National Forest. USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Ogden, Utah. 23.13.408.12/89C Reprinted 1991
Map - Manti-LaSal National Forest. USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Ogden, Utah. 23.76.410.04/89C
Map - Uinta National Forest. USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Ogden, Utah. 23.41.418.02/93C
The following series of maps are an excellent resource is you are in the field. They are topographical maps that are printed on a plastic coated paper that will not tear or become damaged in the rain. The Great Western Trail is identified on the map. More maps of the different sections of the Great Western Trail are scheduled to be map in the future.
Map - Trails, Uinta National Forest. Trails Illustrated Topo Maps, Map #701. Ponderosa Publishing Co. P.O. Box 3610 Evergreen, Colorado 80439. 1989
Map - Trails, Wasatch Front - Strawberry Valley. Trails Illustrated Topo Maps,Map #709. Ponderosa Publishing Co. P.O. Box 3610 Evergreen, Colorado 80439.
Map - Trails, Bryce Canyon - Mt. Dutton. Trails Illustrated Topo Maps, Map #705. Ponderosa Publishing Co. P.O. Box 3610 Evergreen, Colorado 80439.
Map - Trails, Canyons of the Escalante. Trails Illustrated Topo Maps, Map #710. Ponderosa Publishing Co. P.O. Box 3610 Evergreen, Colorado 80439.
The Boy Scouts of America offer two outdoor adventure awards that can be earned as part of this program. They are:
This award will be earned as part of the Great Western Trail adventure. Obtain copies of the requirements and share them with your group.
This award is earned by scouts who traverse fifty miles by foot or by boat. If your group hikes fifty miles along the Great Western Trail as part of earning the Fifty Miler Award they may apply for a special trail medal with a Gold ribbon instead of the Green or White ribbon on the regular medal. They will also qualify to wear two twenty mile and one ten mile hiker pin on the ribbon of the medal or the patch. The request for the special fifty miler medal must be accompanied by your application for the Fifty Miler Award.
The Boy Scouts of America have three merit badges that are outdoor adventure/exploring type merit badges. They are; hiking, backpacking, and cycling. If an applicant earns one of these merit badges on the Great Western Trail they will qualify for a special trail medal with a multi color ribbon indicating that they earned one of the merit badge by completing all of the physical requirements solely on the Great Western Trail.
This trail award program was started by the TU-CUBIN-NOONIE Lodge of the Order of the Arrow in the Utah National Parks Council. Lodge 508 sponsors this program in an effort to fulfill one of its charges, that of promoting outdoor activity and camping. We hope you find your adventure exciting and enjoyable. This program offers many opportunities and ways to use this unique trail. We encourage you to come back many times and use various methods to traverse the trail. We believe in supporting the other programs of the Boy Scouts of America and would encourage you to explore the programs listed for outdoor adventure. We advocate the merit badge program of the Boy Scouts of America as one of the best educational programs available for young men. We challenge you to be actively involved in the merit badge program and further challenge you to earn the merit badges mentioned in the Additional Information section on the Great Western Trail.
Good Scouting,
Lodge 508
Review and follow the information contained in the Guide To Safe Scouting No. 34411 Boy Scouts of America. Particular attention should be given to sections I, III, V, VII, and XIII.
Read the attached history of the Great Western Trail. It is recommended that this be done in a planning meeting prior to starting on your Great Western Trail Adventure.
All applicants for the Great Western Trail Adventure Awards must be currently registered as a member of a Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team or an Explorer Post of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Explorers and Adult Leaders are eligible to earn these awards.
Any registered Boy Scout with a rank of First Class or higher may earn these awards. Any registered Varsity Scout, Explorer or Adult Leader may also earn these awards.
At least two Adult Leaders (21 years old or older) must accompany any group of Boy Scouts on the trail. For groups larger than ten an additional Adult Leader is needed for each increment of five boys. Example: 10 boys - 2 leaders, 11 boys - 3 leaders, 16 boys - 4 leaders, 21 boys - 5 leaders, etc.
Each participant must complete a minimum of two hours of service work on the trail during their adventure. The service projects must have prior approval of the Forest Service District in the area of your adventure. There is a section on the awards application that must be signed by a local Forest Service official prior to your adventure.
Each applicant is required to spend at least one night on the trail. Group camping is limited to fifteen people per group. Larger groups should be divided into groups smaller than sixteen for camping purposes. Remember that each group must have at least two adults with them. Participants and group leaders are asked to participate in a no trace camping program at a Boy Scout Roundtable or view the tread lightly video program of the Forest Service. Please follow the rules and remember that the Great Western Trail is a "Carry In - Carry Out" experience. Participants can count removing litter from previous inconsiderate trail goers as service hours but should not have this task as the basis of their service project.
Because of the multiple use status of the Great Western Trail the requirements for your adventure on the trail are dictated by how you choose to experience the trail. Trail awards can be earned year round and by using several modes of transportation. We have divided the methods of earning these awards into summer and winter adventures. For the requirements for earning these awards during the summer see the "Great Western Trail Summer Adventure Award Requirements".
Snowshoers are required to snow shoe at least five miles on the trail to earn their recognition which is a pin with a snow shoe and the roman numeral for five, "V" on pin.
Snowshoe ten miles in one adventure on the trail and qualify to receive a snow shoe pin with the roman numeral for ten, "X" on pin.
Snowshoe twenty miles in one adventure on the trail and qualify to receive a snow shoe pin with the roman numeral for twenty, "XX" on pin.
These pins can be attached to either the Great Western Trail Adventure Patch or the ribbon of the Great Western Trail Adventure Medal.
Cross Country Skiers are required to ski at least ten miles on the trail to earn their recognition which is a pin with skis and poles and the roman numeral for ten, "X".
Ski twenty miles in one adventure and you are qualified to receive a pin with skis and poles and the roman numeral for twenty, "XX".
Ski fifty miles in one adventure and you are qualified to receive a pin with skis and poles and the roman numeral for fifty, "L".
These pins can be attached to either the Great Western Trail Adventure Patch or the ribbon of the Great Western Trail Adventure Medal.
Snow Mobile riders are required to ride at least ten miles on the trail to earn their recognition which is a pin with snow mobile and the roman numeral for ten, "X" on the pin.
Ride twenty miles in one adventure and you are qualified to receive a pin with a snow mobile and the roman numeral for twenty, "XX" on the pin.
Ride fifty miles in one adventure and you are qualified to receive a pin with a snow mobile and the roman numeral for fifty, "L" on the pin.
These pins can be attached to either the Great Western Trail Adventure Patch or the ribbon of the Great Western Trail Adventure Medal.
Each applicant must write a report of not less than one hundred and fifty words describing their adventure and experience on the Great Western Trail.
Once the applicants have met the requirements for earning the Great Western Trail Recognition they can submit the completed application and reports to their local Boy Scout Service Center and purchase the appropriate recognition. must accompany this request for awards)
Review and follow the information contained in the Guide To Safe Scouting No. 34411 Boy Scouts of America. Particular attention should be given to sections I, III, V, VII, and XIII.
Read the attached history of the Great Western Trail. It is recommended that this be done in a planning meeting prior to starting on your Great Western Trail Adventure.
All applicants for the Great Western Trail Adventure Awards must be currently registered as a member of a Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team or an Explorer Post of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Explorers and Adult Leaders are eligible to earn these awards.
Any registered Boy Scout with a rank of First Class or higher may earn these awards. Any registered Varsity Scout, Explorer or Adult Leader may also earn these awards.
At least two Adult Leaders (21 years old or older) must accompany any group of Boy Scouts on the trail. For groups larger than ten an additional Adult Leader is needed for each increment of five boys. Example: 10 boys - 2 leaders, 11 boys - 3 leaders, 16 boys - 4 leaders, 21 boys - 5 leaders, etc.
Each participant must complete a minimum of two hours of service work on the trail during their adventure. The service projects must have prior approval of the Forest Service District in the area of your adventure. There is a section on the awards application that must be signed by a local Forest Service official prior to your adventure.
Each applicant is required to spend at least one night on the trail. Group camping is limited to fifteen people per group. Larger groups should be divided into groups smaller than sixteen for camping purposes. Remember that each group must have at least two adults with them. Participants and group leaders are asked to participate in a no trace camping program at a Boy Scout Roundtable or view the tread lightly video program of the Forest Service. Please follow the rules and remember that the Great Western Trail is a "Carry In - Carry Out" experience. Participants can count removing litter from previous inconsiderate trail goers as service hours but should not have this task as the basis of their service project.
Because of the multiple use status of the Great Western Trail the requirements for your adventure on the trail are dictated by how you choose to experience the trail. Trail awards can be earned year round and by using several modes of transportation. We have divided the methods of earning these awards into summer and winter adventures. For the requirements for earning these awards during the winter see the "Great Western Trail Winter Adventure Award Requirements".
Hikers are required to hike at least five miles on the trail to earn their recognition which is a hiker pin with the roman numeral for five, "V" on the pin.
Hike ten miles in one adventure on the trail and qualify to receive a hiker pin with the roman numeral for ten, "X" on the pin.
Hike twenty miles in one adventure on the trail and qualify to receive a hiker pin with the roman numeral for twenty, "XX" on the pin.
These pins can be attached to either the Great Western Trail Adventure Patch or the ribbon of the Great Western Trail Adventure Medal.
Horse riders are required to ride at least ten miles on the trail to earn their recognition which is a pin in the shape of a horse with the roman numeral for ten, "X" on the pin.
Ride twenty miles in one adventure and you are qualified to receive a pin in the shape of a horse with the roman numeral for twenty, "XX" on the pin.
Ride fifty miles in one adventure and you are qualified to receive a pin in the shape of a horse with the roman numeral for fifty, "L" on the pin.
These pins can be attached to either the Great Western Trail Adventure Patch or the ribbon of the Great Western Trail Adventure Medal.
Mountain bike riders are required to ride at least ten miles on the trail to earn their recognition which is a mountain bike pin with the roman numeral for ten, "X" on the pin.
Ride twenty miles in one adventure and you are qualified to receive a mountain bike pin with the roman numeral for twenty, "XX" on the pin.
Ride fifty miles in one adventure and you are qualified to receive a mountain bike pin with the roman numeral for fifty, "L" on the pin.
These pins can be attached to either the Great Western Trail Adventure Patch or the ribbon of the Great Western Trail Adventure Medal.
Each applicant must write a report of not less than one hundred and fifty words describing their adventure and experience on the Great Western Trail.
Once the applicants have met the requirements for earning the Great Western Trail Recognition they can submit the completed application and reports to their local Boy Scout Service Center and purchase the appropriate recognition.