Phantom Creek OHV Loop

This is a fairly easy yet scenic loop that is popular with all OHV vehicles include 4x4s, ATVs and dirt bikes. There are many spurs snaking their way through the area. There is a brief section of trail in the very beginning before you get to a very large parking area. There is plenty of room here for unloading, airing down, and disconnecting sway bars. This trail is described as a long loop that parallels Phantom Creek on each side, crossing the shallow water at the far end. You can run it in either direction. The description here runs the loop in the counterclockwise direction. From the large parking area, take the rightmost trail marked Forest Service Road 363. This is Phantom Creek Road. While you are on this half, Phantom Creek is to your left though you usually can't see it. The trail is fairly easy, with a few cracks to negotiate at times. You can see some of the burned trees, but this half of the loop is still pretty green. When you get to the far end there is a single place where you cross Phantom Creek. It is usually just a trickle of water. Immediately after this crossing is the intersection with Manchester Creek. Turn right to go to Manchester Creek or continue straight to stay on the Phantom Creek loop. The Manchester Creek trail has a troubled recent history. A small portion of the land that the trail is on has a land owner who does not want vehicles crossing his land. The issue has been in the court system for years, and the status of this portion of trail may change. This means that you may or may not find a gate approximately 2.5 miles from the intersection with Phantom Creek. Manchester Creek is not any more challenging than Phantom Creek, but it is more shady and secluded because it follows the creek. If there is no gate or gates blocking the way, it is a great way to get to even more 4x4 trails, and a quick way to Highway 67. If there is a gate, you must turn back. Continuing on Phantom Creek, you are actually on Signal Butte Road on your way out (Forest Service Road 362). The scenery is very different, even though it is just on the other side of the creek. The Hayman Fire hit this side of the trail, and the trees around the trail are almost all burned. There are aspen trees filling in the gaps, and it makes for a colorful sight. Signal Butte is more of a small mountain, and very pointy on the top. It was also badly burned in the fire. It is on your right as you pass it on the trail. This side of the trail is also very easy in most spots, with a few cracks to negotiate. Soon you find your way back out to the big parking area. This is an easy way to see the Hayman Fire burn area, and the network of trails here could keep you busy all day (or all weekend).