Took a nice ride up Bennie Creek Trail this morning. Made a nice little out-and-back with a small loop in the middle.
The trailhead is located next to the Grotto trailhead, about 6 miles south of Payson, UT on Mt. Nebo Loop Road. There is sufficient space for a multi-horse trailer to park and make a turn-around. There are no services offered (no outhouses). Horses are allowed on both Bennie Creek and Grotto trails, but be aware these are multi-use trails. Bicycles and motorcycles are allowed, as well as hikers and horses.
Incidentally, the trailhead is next to Wimmer Ranch Creek and follows it eastward for a short ways. Bennie Creek is actually on the other side of Loafer mountain, where the other end of the trail heads on Bennie Creek Road about 4 miles hence.
Bennie Creek Trail and Grotto Trail are popular with bikers and hikers, so I recommend against taking horses on them on weekend days. However, I rode Bennie Creek trail this morning (Friday) and saw not another soul on the trail. I don’t think I’d try it on a Saturday, unless I rode it very early. I didn’t ride the Grotto trail (a very short ride) today, because of the numbers of people and children coming and going on that trail.
The Bennie Creek Trail is quite steep for the first 3/4 mile, so you’ll need to give a breather or two to your horses. It’s an excellent conditioning ride, though. The trail has been maintained pretty well, but there are a few spots at the beginning that you’ll need to watch, where the trail is washing out. Other than that it was a very pleasant ride. Not particularly challenging for rider, but that first bit is a tough ascent for the horse. The terrain is dirt with some rocky areas, but barefoot horses will be fine (mine was barefoot).
About 1.5 miles up, the trail intersects with the trail from Jones Ranch parking area, which leads off to the southwest. After crossing a dry creek bed and then Wimmer Ranch Creek, and making a steep ascent of about 1/4 mile, that trail ends at the parking/camping area. Many riders begin their ride at the Jones Ranch parking area.
From this same intersection, another trail, nameless, heads across the dry creek bed to the southeast and goes straight up a hillside. It’s a steep climb for about 1/4 mile, but then becomes a bit more level and leads through some pretty nice areas. Bikers love to descend this trail, moving pretty quick, so be aware. Eventually this trail joins the trail that runs from Bennie Creek Trail to Mount Nebo Road near the Payson Lakes entrance. This morning I took this nameless trail and used it to loop back to the Bennie Creek Trail at the intersection described below.
About 2 miles from the trailhead, Bennie Creek Trail intersects with the Mount Loafer Trail, which leads off to the north. This is a nice ride in itself, but, again, it’s a tough climb for a horse. This trail heads up Mount Loafer, around the peak, intersects with several other trails leading off in other directions. I plan to eventually make a two or three day ride to take a look at these trails.At this junction, which is a saddle with a fence line, one may pass through the gate and head on down Bennie Creek Trail about 2 more miles, descending the eastern face of Loafer Mountain to reach Bennie Creek Road, which leads on into Birdseye, on US 89. I saved that ride for another day.
Today’s ride was very pleasant. It wasn’t an easy trail for my horse and dog, due to the steep ascent, but I wouldn’t call it challenging for an intermediate horse and rider. The trail was fairly well-maintained, and there wasn’t much chance of getting lost, as long as you turned west or south at trail intersections. Turn north and you head up Mount Loafer.
I rode up to the saddle where the trail intersects with the Mount Loafer Trail, made a loop, on the unnamed trail I mentioned, and returned to the trailhead on the Bennie Creek Trail. The mileage was about 5 miles and took me about three hours.
Nice ride.
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