Trail difficulty
Blue
Elevation Gain
-1,685.00 ft (-513.59 m)
Trail type
Shuttle
Distance
4.50 mi (7.24 km)
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Easy shuttle access, fast and flowy trails, stunning vistas, and features to challenge nearly every rider all make Bennie Creek a staple for Wasatch-area riding. Like most trails in this area, there are several different options for riding this trail. Shuttling to the Rock Springs parking area offers a “best of all worlds” experience. Although you might see other riders on downhill bikes with 8-inches of travel, downhill bikes are definitely not necessary to have a riot of a time on this trail.

You’ll see the trail heading northeast just on the other side of the road from the parking area. The trail winds through expansive quaking aspen groves, dives beneath pines, and flies through wide, open meadows.

You’ll reach a gate where the popular Mount Loafer Trailhead ties in. The trail gets steeper and faster, dropping like a roller coaster. It also begins to offer a few technical rock and root sections that are easily navigable or bypassed. Experienced riders will enjoy finding the right line to rail these sections.

There is one more negligible climb followed by a viewpoint before the trail dives into switchbacks through scrub oak and cottonwood. It eventually runs right next to the creek before dropping back out onto the main road. There is a clear marker here for both Bennie Creek and The Grotto trails as well as a large parking area where your lower shuttle vehicle should be waiting. This is not a downhill only trail, so those who choose to ride it as an out-and-back will begin at this parking area.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Easy access. Fast and flowy. Vistas. Variety.

Cons

None.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Trailhead Elevation

8,000.00 ft (2,438.40 m)

Features

Bird watching
Wildlife
Big Game Watching
Big vistas
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers
Big Game Watching

Suitable for

Hiking
Horseback

Location

Comments

06/11/2016
Just did this trail this weekend and it was amazing! We started from the Jones Ranch Trails (just passed Black Hawk Campground and on the right) and it was all downhill with some river crossings and great scenery! I highly recommend biking this trail! I look forward to doing other trails in the Payson Canyon area soon!
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