Trailhead:
Trout Creek to Currant Creek(or if you prefer: Strawberry Reservoir to Currant Creek Reservoir)
Access: Take I-80 north to its intersection with US 40 at Silver Creek Junction. Go south on US 40 through Heber and on south up Daniel’s Canyon. At Daniel’s summit the road turns to the easterly direction. It is six miles from Daniel’s Summit Lodge on the right side of US 40 to the Strawberry Reservoir turnoff to Strawberry Bay. Don’t turn there. Go an additional three and one half miles to the east where you will find a small sign on the road that reads “Trout Creek” Turn left onto an improved dirt road (FR 084). A USFS kiosk with a sign is just one tenth of a mile to the north. That is the trailhead. The road (FR 084) may be a bit difficult to see because you will be passing a hill on the left of US 40. If you slow down you are likely to see it.
Trailhead: The trailhead offers no rest rooms. If you like to fish and ride you could certainly take advantage of that opportunity just across the Street at Strawberry Reservoir. There are rest rooms available at several of the turnoffs on the lake side of US 40. There are many dispersed camping areas along this road. The road itself is in pretty good shape, for an ATV permitted route. This area has been used for many years for deer and elk hunters. There are many places you could pull over and unload your machines, even as far up as a mile or so after you enter the mouth of the canyon.
GPS coordinates at the trail head are: N40 13.897 W111 07.255
Trail: The trail climbs up Trout Creek canyon to Trout Creek ridge in just 4.5 miles with a gain in elevation from 7717 to 9422 feet. There were a couple spots on the northern sides of the hills where snow had covered the trail in the late September storm that we enjoyed in 2002. The snow had been packed but not yet melted in the brisk fall days. There are several trails that intersect with this route that go off to the east. We elected not to take any of them on this trip, but had we done so we would have increased our distance and riding time accordingly. There is probably an additional 20 miles of trail out there once you take them in and back out on the same route. You can essentially follow FR 084 on north to Currant Creek reservoir. There are a few places where it may be confusing. At the top of Race Track Creek canyon the beaten path seems to head north but the markers are to the east down what looks like a less traveled route. In fact, the less traveled route is the correct route. Race Track Creek offers a few rocks in the road, but is still a very pleasant route. Another intersection is found at N40 19.608 W111 04.923, again going to the northeast will take you to the lake. If you hold to the north you will find a delightful route (FR 192) that winds through the trees and forest. It is marked on the USFS Interagency Travel Map as an ATV route, but that limitation has not been observed by the hunters with their 4×4 trucks. There was one place where the ruts from the trucks would have swallowed an ATV, but for a narrow route to the left. That trail goes on over to an intersection with the Chicken Creek trail. When we got to Currant Creek Reservoir we stopped and fished for a few minutes and having no luck we decided to head back and find a fun trail. There are other trails in this area that will also be enjoyable.
Cautions: As always, on trails that accommodate both ATVs and SUVs take special caution at blind corners and never ride two abreast. If out riding during the elk or deer hunt it is recommended that you wear hunter orange, not only to be in style with everyone else, but to permit you to be clearly distinguished from the game animals.
Difficulty: Beginner trail. Very few rough spots and puddles. Only one place where you cross a streamlet. Not steep. Very beautiful.
Ride Time 3.5 Hours
Low Elevation 7717 feet at Trailhead near US 40
High Elevation 9609 feet at N 40 18.143
W111 06.210 at the head of Layout Canyon Trail Length 32.7 Miles
Travel Time 3:38 Minutes
Average Speed 9 MPH
GPS Coordinates at Trailhead: N40 13.897 W111 07.255