Duncan Springs Trail
Want to do something new?
Want to add a little variation to your mountain biking?
Go Ride a Historic Trail!
Steve and I we took on the challenge and rode the Duncan Springs Historic Trail located north of the town of New Harmony. According to Marian Jacklin of the Forest Service this trail was made prior to 1905. This makes it a Historic Trail. Marian says “It is a Hellasiously Steep Bugger,” and its main purpose was to get to a spring. In the old days, “Duncan Springs” was the only water source for miles.
We made this ride a 30 mile loop by starting in the town of New Harmony and riding up the canyon to the summit, then down past the Historic Grants Ranch. From there, we went over to the Page House Ranch which is another Utah Historical Landmark. Then up the Pinto Road about four miles to the North Trail head. This is across the road from the trail head of some must see Indian pictographs. From there we went up and over the mountain and back down the other side to the South Trailhead. We had the good fortune of doing this on a beautiful fall day and the leaves and views from the top were spectacular. It is a “Hellasiously” steep trail in sections and so we did about a mile of hike a biking. The rest is very ride-able and the downhill on the south side was super fun!!! This is a technical ride – so be prepared!!! Also be prepared for some bushwacking.
Kendall Benson a former resident of New Harmony said this trail was also used to connect the old Ranches – Pages Ranch, Woolsey Ranch, and Grants Ranch. It is mainly used now days for hiking and hunting. The Pine Valley District has been doing clean up on the trail and posted new signs at the trail heads. It is very easy to find and was a fun adventure, not to mention a historical experience. And now that we have made you want to go ride it – too bad! You’ll have to wait until spring. But go check out other historic trails in your area and around the nation and add some variation to your mountain biking.
Your new V.P. – Holly Hadley
Click here more photos of this trail.
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