Along the road there are panoramic views to the east across
the pastoral Sevier River valley to Monroe Mountain and Signal
Peak Thompson Basin. Below the cliffs is the site of the largest
landslide in Utah, while the edge of Monroe Mountain is formed
by the Sevier Fault, which extends southward to the Grand
Canyon. The Pahvant Range rises on the west side of the canal,
here it is blanketed with volcanic rocks.
The Richfield Loop continues south along the canal for 4.1
miles until it reaches the first underpass south of Richfield.
This is a narrow tunnel, wide enough for only one vehicle. The
trail passes under I-70 at this point, then turns northward
along the frontage road on the east side of I-70. The road is
also known as Cove View Road. After about one mile, there is an
interstate sign saying "EXIT 37 1 mile." At the
intersection of Cove View road and 1800 west the trail turns
south to pass between fields of corn and alfalfa. Continue south
about three quarters of a mile to the first road to the left.
Turn east and continue to some houses and a street sign saying
6000 North Monroe and 1000 East Monroe. Turn north (left) to
cross a canal and continue northward to a paved road which is
the Airport Road. Turn east (right) on Airport Road.
This portion of the loop must be driven with caution because
it is on paved roads and it crosses old highway 89, a busy road
between Richfield and Elsinore. On the east side of old highway
89 the road becomes Main St. About 50 yards after crossing 89,
at 1100 North and Main, turn east onto a dirt road.
Continue on this dirt road to the "T" intersection
at 200 East and 1100 North. Turn south (right) to 700 North and
200 East. Note that the street numbering changes in several
places because the numbers are based on different towns'
coordinates. At 700 North and 200 East turn east (left). This
road crosses the Sevier River and adjacent wetlands. These
wetlands are a good place to stop to view waterfowl and feed the
mosquitoes.
East of the Sevier River, continue to the junction of the
Annabella road and Carpenter Road, 500 North. Proceed south on
the paved Annabella Road to 300 North and Main in Annabella,
where the trail turns east (left) again. The trail then goes
through the north edge of town to a jog at a canal where it
again turns east (left) at 200 North and 200 East. After a
block, the street is paved until it is east of the ball field
and cemetery, where it turns to gravel and continues east
straight out of town. After leaving Annabella, the road begins
to rise gently through sagebrush slopes and soon enters BLM
administered lands.
Shortly after leaving town, the trail begins to pass through
the foothills of the Sevier Plateau, and juniper trees begin to
appear. five miles from Annabella the trail comes to the
junction of Forest road 68 where there is a sign pointing to
Cove Mountain Road and the Monroe Mountain Road. The trail bears
right and follows the sign. At this point the trail marking
changes from #04 to #068.
From this junction to Bell Rock Ridge the trail climbs the
steep west face of the Sevier Plateau. There are either four or
six switch backs along this segment of the trail depending on
how much of a turn one requires to call a "switch
back". The road is relatively smooth, allowing rapid
travel, but you must be cautious because of the sharp turns and
other traffic that uses the road. About halfway to Bell Rock
Ridge the trail enters the Fishlake National Forest. At about
this location a series of trenches are carved into the hillside.
These were made for watershed protection. They trap and hold
snow melt and rain water, which slowly release it into the
ground. Prior to construction of these trenches the water
cascaded down the slopes and caused floods in the town of
Glenwood.
At Bell Rock Ridge you have a sweeping panoramic view to the
north and west. To the west across the Sevier valley is the red
and white striped rocks of the Pahvant Range, while to the north
the view extends all the way to Mt. Nebo above the town of
Nephi.
From Bell Rock Ridge the trail trends generally southward
over swales and low, rounded ridges. Oak brush replaces juniper
that soon gives way to aspen as the trail gently rises up the
Sevier Plateau. The cool groves of aspen in turn give way to
sweet smelling spruce and sub alpine fir.
Big Lake is the next landmark along the trail. this
reservoired lake supplies irrigation water to the area around
Glenwood by way of Water Creek. A little way south of Big Lake a
side trail extends westward to Deep Lake and Annabella
Reservoir. All three of these lakes are fished by local people.
Also, there is a magnificent view of the Sevier Valley from the
top of the cliff northeast of Deep Lake.
About a mile south of Big Lake watch out for a sharp turn to
the right. If you miss this turn, you will be on Forest road 077
and continue up the sagebrush swale south of Red Pine Ridge. The
correct thing is to turn right into the trees and continue on
Forest road 68 to Magleby Pass. At Magleby Pass the view is to
Signal Peak to the west.
From Magleby Pass the trail continues southwest around the
east side of Monument peak through spruce and fir forests. These
are several small meadows that are vital forage areas for
wildlife. There are also several openings on the east side of
the trail that afford views across Grass Valley and to the
Aquarius Plateau to the east.
About two miles before the junction with the main trail a
turnoff to the west Trail #63 leads a short distance to the
Koosharem Guard Station. This restored guard station was
originally built in 1911, four years after the Forest Reserve
was proclaimed, and was the first guard station in Utah.
The junction with the main trail is about seven miles west of
the town of Koosharem. It is in an open sagebrush flat where
there are views west to the radio towers on Monroe Peak and east
across Grass Valley.
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