Thompson Ridge

April 27, 2016

One of my favorite things about living in the Rocky Mountains is how close we live to wild and remote places.  But to take advantage of this, you must get out there and see it for yourself.  I’ll share with you my most recent hike out at South Creek which ends atop a low elevation ridgeline called Thompson Ridge and affords wide open views to the south.  The round trip mileage for this hike is 4.6 miles from the new South Creek restroom and gets progressively steeper as you approach the ridge, with a total elevation gain of 900’.  The first mile and a half utilizes Paiute Side Trail 068,  so be aware of four-wheeler traffic as you meander up this streamside gem of a trail.  I did encounter many remaining snowbanks in the shady north-facing forest but they’re melting fast.  If you don’t want snow getting into your boot cuffs a pair of gaiters is a fantastic addition to your spring hiking packlist.  I’ve even crawled on all fours before crossing soft snowfields to avoid post-holeing and getting wet ankles.  Reverse evolution I suppose! The ten mile drive out to the new South Creek restroom is dirt road, but well maintained and takes about 25 minutes from Beaver.  Once you pass the Big Twist turn-off though, the dirt road can be a nightmare if it’s muddy, so I wouldn’t take my car out there in rainy weather.  To drive to this trailhead, head east on SouthCreek road which is 1\4 mile north of Beaver’s South I-15 interchange.  Reset your odometer here and stay on the main dirt road for 10.2 miles.  At mile 8.8 you’ll cross Nat’l Forest boundary where the road is number 008, making sure you’re not lost yet, because cell service out here is spotty.  There’s lots of parking at the new bathroom, even for horse trailers, then start hiking upstream on PST 068.  You’ll see a sign for Thompson Hollow in 1.5 miles where you’ll cross the stream to the south.  If the stream is running high, there’s a solid spruce log to cross on 30’ upstream.  After crossing, head through the sagebrush and to the left side of the ravine to pick up USFS trail 241 which is only open to hikers and horseback.  One third of a mile up trail 241, the trail gets fairly flat and watch for a cairn to indicate the right-hand turn up dead-end spur trail #242.  Now comes the sweaty part!  The final quarter mile of this hike is steep, but worth it cause the views are SWEET!  And because hey, you can say you did it!  Find a clearing just beyond the fenceline so the views open up.  Looking south you can see two peaks above Panguitch called Sandy and Little Creek.  Brian Head is at the west end of the distant plateau and to the west is Greenville Bench and a sliver of Minersville Reservoir.  Allow 3 to 4 hours hiking time as you wander “Into the Tushars”, and somebody, please call me from the top! (801-243-0095).