30.1
PDI
8.6 mi
DISTANCE
3,621 ft
GAINED
8.1 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Dan Hoopes, Orem, UT
INTRO
Spring Canyon Road is a short, steep gravel climb in the Manti-La Sal National Forest's Sanpete Ranger District, climbing out of Spring Canyon east of Mount Pleasant, Utah, onto the high country of the Wasatch Plateau. At 8.55 miles with 3,621 ft of gain - averaging a demanding 8.1% - it packs a serious amount of climbing into a short distance, finishing above 10,500 ft.
The road climbs through the timber and open meadow terrain the Wasatch Plateau is known for, eventually connecting into the Skyline Drive network that runs the length of the plateau at nine to ten thousand feet - one of Utah's classic high-altitude dirt road systems. Expect a quiet, forested climb with almost no traffic once you're off the valley floor.
This is genuinely remote National Forest terrain with no services along the route. It's rated a difficult route best suited to a capable gravel or mountain bike rather than a fully loaded road setup, and snow can linger into early summer at this elevation.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. This is a short, honest grind rather than a long climb with easy stretches to recover on - the grade holds around 8.1% on average with no real flat sections over the 8.55 miles, so pace yourself from the base. The loose gravel surface adds to the effort in the steeper pitches, where traction can be inconsistent.
Roadway: Unpaved Forest Service gravel and dirt the entire way, rougher and rockier than a maintained county road. A gravel or mountain bike is the right tool here, not a road bike.
Traffic: Minimal. Spring Canyon Road serves dispersed camping, hunting access, and the Skyline Drive high country rather than any through route, so expect to have the road mostly to yourself.
Parking: There's no developed trailhead. Riders typically start from a pullout near the mouth of the canyon east of Mount Pleasant, where the gravel begins.
A gravel or mountain bike with wider tires handles the loose, rocky surface far better than a road setup. Carry all the water you'll need, as there's nothing along the route. The climb finishes well above 10,000 ft, so pack a layer for the descent even on a warm day.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Mount Pleasant, about 10 miles west, has the nearest gas, food, and lodging. Spring Canyon Road sits within the Manti-La Sal National Forest's Sanpete Ranger District, so check the current Motor Vehicle Use Map if you plan to combine it with other Forest Service roads in the area, including the Skyline Drive network above. Snow can linger into early summer at this elevation, so a late-June through September window is the safest bet.
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