MONTE CRISTO TRAILS
Monte Cristo Area Map

Access: Highway 39 on Wasatch Ridge or Dairy Ridge Road

Elevation: Beginning: 8,400 feet Ending: 8,800 feet

Length: 16 mile loop

Use: Moderate- Mountain Bike, 4-wheel vehicles, ATV, Hiking (Open part of the year)

Difficulty: Moderate

Season: Late spring to fall

USGS Map(s): Monte Cristo Pk., Dairy Ridge

Directions: Recommend parking at the junction of State Road 39 and the Wasatch Ridge Road. Begin by following the Wasatch Ridge Road to its junction with Baldy Ridge. Follow the Baldy Ridge Road, which descends to Wheeler Creek. After the road crosses Wheeler Creek, it ascends for about three miles to the Dairy Ridge Road. Follow the Dairy Ridge Road back to S.R. 39, then follow the highway a couple of miles back to the Wasatch Ridge turnoff. The loop can be followed from the other direction, but it involves a lot more uphill climbing.

While some of the miles of backcountry roads on Monte Cristo are closed part of the year to motorized vehicles, many remain open to off-highway vehicles. Motorized vehicle use is relatively light and shouldn't cause problems for mountain bikers.

A series of ridge roads near the mountain crest join to offer an excellent loop trail for bikers of moderate abilities. The 16-mile loop offers views of the Wasatch, Uinta and Wellsville mountains, as well as a chance to see hawks, deer and other wildlife. It's a great place to get out on the Forest and enjoy the scenery.

There is mixed vegetation along the trail, everything from sagebrush and aspen stands, to some sub-alpine fir species.

The Monte Cristo area is generally a lightly used recreation area, except during the elk and deer hunting seasons.

Not recommended for children or the novice biker.

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Tread Lightly at all times.