GoldWing World    

Ashley-Uintah Forest

Cautions: this is mountain riding. Dress for cold and inclement weather extremes.

From Orem. Head northeast from Orem through the Provo Canyon on US 189 past the Deer Creek Reservoir into Heber till US 189 comes to a "T" in the road (about 30 miles) Turn southeast onto US 40 toward Fruitland and ride into Duchesne (about 70 miles)

In Duchesne, turn south onto US 191 into the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation and ride on into the Ashley National Forest until the road Ts onto US 6 (about 45 mountain miles) Turn northwest on US 6 and ride through Spanish Fork Canyon (recommended fuel stop at one of the stations enroute through the canyon) back to I-15 then back to Orem (Refuel)

Hwy 31

From Orem take I-15 south to Price/Spanish Fork Canyon exit (eastbound US 6) - Continue through Spanish Fork Canyon to Price about 64 miles. Continue through Price to Utah Hwy 10 [not quite out of town] then turn south on Hwy 10 to Huntington [about 20 miles] West on Utah Hwy 31 to Fairview [about 50 mountainous miles] (possible fuel stop) Reverse your course east on Hwy 31 to the junction with Hwy 264 to Scofield [about 16 miles] North on Hwy 264 through Scofield [about 8 miles] North on Hwy 96 to junction with US 6 [about 7 miles] West on US 6 to junction with I-15 [about 40 miles] North on I-15 to Orem [about 60 miles] (refuel)

Manti Loop

From Orem take I-15 south to Nephi [about 60 miles] Exit south on Utah Hwy 28 toward Levan, Remain on Hwy 28 south through Levan and Fayette into Gunnison [about 55 miles] East on US 89 through Sterling, Manti (recommended fuel stop), Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Fairview and Thistle to the junction with US 6 [about 76 miles] West on US 6 through the Spanish Fork canyon to the junction with I-15 [about 16 miles] North on I-15 to Orem [about 15 miles] (refuel)

Manti-La Sal

From Orem go South on I-15 to exit 261 to Spanish Fork and US 6/89 (about 12 miles)

Stay on US 6/89 through Spanish Fork Canyon into Price (about 65 mountain miles) Stay on divided highway through Price (required fuel stop!) and, just as you're about to leave town, take Hwy 10 south toward Huntington and Castle Dale. Remain on southbound Hwy 10 until it Ts with I-70 (about 68 miles)then head west on I-70 through the Fish Lake National Forest (about 34 miles)

At exit 54, head north into Salina on US 89 (required fuel stop!) Remain on northbound US 89 through Gunnison (it makes a right there but remains US 89), Manti, Ephraim, Mt. Pleasant and Fairview until you reach the T with US 6 just past Thistle (about 95 miles)

Turn west at the T (US 89 merges with US 6) to I-15 Return to Orem via I-15 (Refuel)

Mirror Lake

Cautions: A late summer-only ride, you'll still need to take along cold weather gear and don't attempt to make this ride when the weather forecast is anything but clear and warm (it has been known to snow heavily in the middle of the summer at the higher elevations of this ride). Beware! Traffic can be heavy on weekends. Watch for moose on the descent of the north slope of the Uintas!

Instructions:

From Orem (be sure your fuel tank is full) head east on US 189 past the Deer Creek Reservoir into Heber [about 30 miles] Ride north on US 40 out of Heber (the main north-south street through Heber) about four miles to the junction with Hwy 32 (heading off to the northeast) Turn right onto Hwy 32 through Francis into Kamas [about 15 miles]

Take Hwy 150 east out of Kamas into the Uintas (it's about 32 windy mountain miles to Mirror Lake and another 72 miles to Evanston, WY) Stay on Hwy 150 northbound into Evanston, WY (recommended fuel stop) [about 80 miles], where you head west on I-80 into Salt Lake City [about 75 miles] then return to Orem via southbound I-15 [about 40 miles] This ride through the High Uintas is said to be one of the most spectacular mountain wilderness drives in America. At the time one tour guide was written (and possibly still today), this drive was one of but two fully-paved roads through this wilderness area. The high point of the ride is Bald Mountain Pass, elevation 10,687 feet. Four mountain lakes originate in the Uintas (Weber, Bear, Duchesne and Provo).

Mt. Nebo

From Orem head south on I-15 to Payson [about 30 miles]

Exit south into Payson and continue to the stop light (100 North) just short of the center of town [about a mile] (Ensure your tank is full)

Turn left on 100 North (US 6) and ride nearly to the top of the hill [a few blocks]

Just short of the Peteetneet Academy (an old, large and ornate school house) turn south onto 600 East, also known as Forest Road 015 (clearly marked as the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway)

Continue along the byway until completing the loop and reaching the junction with Utah Hwy 132 [38 mountainous miles]

West on Hwy 132 nearly into Nephi [perhaps 3 miles] (possible fuel stop)

North on I-15 to Orem [about 60 miles] (refuel)