Surveyor Trail (White Pine)

This is yet ANOTHER variation on the Miller-Sweeney Cutoff.  (See that post for more information).  The first 2.5 miles is the same.  Then, at "Sign Meadow", follow the signs to the right.  Be prepared for a fairly steep descent which goes all the way to the ski resort.  The trail was re-done in the fall of 2018. It follows loosely the old Surveyor Park trail, which connected with the Pole Creek but has added many switchbacks in some lovely forest.  It is quite rocky in spots.  Besides the forest, you will encounter sage benches, flower filled meadows and expansive vistas.  This is also a biking trail, so you might encounter bikes.  We have only seen bikes once.

The turn off at Sign Meadow.

Track ridden on August 2, 2019.  Total mileage=about 11.  Maximum altitude=9,636'. Ascent/Descent=2,060'.  Trail conditions=50% soft dirt/grass; 35% moderately rocky; 15% quite rocky.  A barefoot horse in reasonably good condition can handle it fine.  The challenging factor here is the constant descent, then ascent.

This shows the new trail on the left and the old one on the right.

Another one showing the new and old.

Typical of much of the ride.

Another one of old and new.

Expansive vistas.

 

...And meadows.

This is at the bottom where the trail intersects the ski resort runs.

You can ride all the way down to the resort.

There is a narrow bridge access to the trail here under the ski lift, but not sure where to park at the resort if you want to access it here.  

On the way back up.

For some reason I call this "Mermaid Tree"

North Sheep Creek

A good ride in the Wyoming Range if you are ever horse camping in the McDougal Gap area. (see that post). I doubt we'll ride this one again, but it was worth doing once. It eventually connects with the Wyoming Recreation Trail (6 miles).  We only rode up about 3.5 miles until the trail got too steep and rocky.  There is a nice water feature,  mountain vistas, wildflowers, sage benches, evergreens.  The best part of the ride was a side trail we took and viewed the aftermath of a huge avalanche.

(Some photos by Teisha Preece.  As usual, click on any photo to open enlarged image views.)

Just before the turn off to the trailhead.  It is approximately 5 miles beyond the McDougal Gap trailhead.

The turn off is un-marked with about .2 mile to reach parking area.

Our track on August 10, 2019.  A little over 7 miles round trip. Min. Altitude=7,201'; Maximum Altitude=8,025'. Ascent/Descent =1,400'.  Trail conditions=85% moderately rocky with numerous small sharp rocks that horses hate.  Luckily there were many softer places  off trail.  15% dirt/grass.  Shoes or boots recommended unless your horse is SUPER good barefoot.  The Yellow arrow shows the location of  what we named "Avalanche Gulch."

View of the parking area coming off the trail. There is room for 2 rigs, maybe more if the two RVs weren't there.  Not much turnaround space.

Typical of much of the trail.

This meadow is as far as we got.  Beautiful stream there.  Lots of wildflowers and horse-mint.

North Sheep Creek...

One of the creek crossings.

Another stream crossing.  This is the place where we took the side trail to Avalanche Gulch.

Riding up Avalanche Gulch.  The "trail" is barely there and disappears in places.

This must have been quite the avalanche!

Wow...the dramatic forces of nature.

This is a photo I found on the internet  of the area we rode in.