Along the road there are panoramic views to the east across the pastoral
Sevier River valley to Monroe Mountain and Signal Peak Thompson Basin. Below
the cliffs is the site of the largest landslide in Utah, while the edge
of Monroe Mountain is formed by the Sevier Fault, which extends southward
to the Grand Canyon. The Pahvant Range rises on the west side of the canal,
here it is blanketed with volcanic rocks.
The Richfield Loop continues south along the canal for 4.1 miles until
it reaches the first underpass south of Richfield. This is a narrow tunnel,
wide enough for only one vehicle. The trail passes under I-70 at this point,
then turns northward along the frontage road on the east side of I-70. The
road is also known as Cove View Road. After about one mile, there is an
interstate sign saying "EXIT 37 1 mile." At the intersection of Cove View
road and 1800 west the trail turns south to pass between fields of corn
and alfalfa. Continue south about three quarters of a mile to the first
road to the left. Turn east and continue to some houses and a street sign
saying 6000 North Monroe and 1000 East Monroe. Turn north (left) to cross
a canal and continue northward to a paved road which is the Airport Road.
Turn east (right) on Airport Road.
This portion of the loop must be driven with caution because it is on
paved roads and it crosses old highway 89, a busy road between Richfield
and Elsinore. On the east side of old highway 89 the road becomes Main St.
About 50 yards after crossing 89, at 1100 North and Main, turn east onto
a dirt road.
Continue on this dirt road to the "T" intersection at 200 East and 1100
North. Turn south (right) to 700 North and 200 East. Note that the street
numbering changes in several places because the numbers are based on different
towns' coordinates. At 700 North and 200 East turn east (left). This road
crosses the Sevier River and adjacent wetlands. These wetlands are a good
place to stop to view waterfowl and feed the mosquitoes.
East of the Sevier River, continue to the junction of the Annabella road
and Carpenter Road, 500 North. Proceed south on the paved Annabella Road
to 300 North and Main in Annabella, where the trail turns east (left) again.
The trail then goes through the north edge of town to a jog at a canal where
it again turns east (left) at 200 North and 200 East. After a block, the
street is paved until it is east of the ball field and cemetery, where it
turns to gravel and continues east straight out of town. After leaving Annabella,
the road begins to rise gently through sagebrush slopes and soon enters
BLM administered lands.
Shortly after leaving town, the trail begins to pass through the foothills
of the Sevier Plateau, and juniper trees begin to appear. five miles from
Annabella the trail comes to the junction of Forest road 68 where there
is a sign pointing to Cove Mountain Road and the Monroe Mountain Road. The
trail bears right and follows the sign. At this point the trail marking
changes from #04 to #068.
From this junction to Bell Rock Ridge the trail climbs the steep west
face of the Sevier Plateau. There are either four or six switch backs along
this segment of the trail depending on how much of a turn one requires to
call a "switch back". The road is relatively smooth, allowing rapid travel,
but you must be cautious because of the sharp turns and other traffic that
uses the road. About halfway to Bell Rock Ridge the trail enters the Fishlake
National Forest. At about this location a series of trenches are carved
into the hillside. These were made for watershed protection. They trap and
hold snow melt and rain water, which slowly release it into the ground.
Prior to construction of these trenches the water cascaded down the slopes
and caused floods in the town of Glenwood.
At Bell Rock Ridge you have a sweeping panoramic view to the north and
west. To the west across the Sevier valley is the red and white striped
rocks of the Pahvant Range, while to the north the view extends all the
way to Mt. Nebo above the town of Nephi.
From Bell Rock Ridge the trail trends generally southward over swales
and low, rounded ridges. Oak brush replaces juniper that soon gives way
to aspen as the trail gently rises up the Sevier Plateau. The cool groves
of aspen in turn give way to sweet smelling spruce and sub alpine fir.
Big Lake is the next landmark along the trail. this reservoired lake
supplies irrigation water to the area around Glenwood by way of Water Creek.
A little way south of Big Lake a side trail extends westward to Deep Lake
and Annabella Reservoir. All three of these lakes are fished by local people.
Also, there is a magnificent view of the Sevier Valley from the top of the
cliff northeast of Deep Lake.
About a mile south of Big Lake watch out for a sharp turn to the right.
If you miss this turn, you will be on Forest road 077 and continue up the
sagebrush swale south of Red Pine Ridge. The correct thing is to turn right
into the trees and continue on Forest road 68 to Magleby Pass. At Magleby
Pass the view is to Signal Peak to the west.
From Magleby Pass the trail continues southwest around the east side
of Monument peak through spruce and fir forests. These are several small
meadows that are vital forage areas for wildlife. There are also several
openings on the east side of the trail that afford views across Grass Valley
and to the Aquarius Plateau to the east.
About two miles before the junction with the main trail a turnoff to
the west Trail #63 leads a short distance to the Koosharem Guard Station.
This restored guard station was originally built in 1911, four years after
the Forest Reserve was proclaimed, and was the first guard station in Utah.
The junction with the main trail is about seven miles west of the town
of Koosharem. It is in an open sagebrush flat where there are views west
to the radio towers on Monroe Peak and east across Grass Valley.
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