AF Canyon?

[UNSTUCK]

So I heard that AF Canyon was opening this weekend. And seeing that I can't get to Moab and have never been up there, I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm running a built cj7, but will have my little ones with me. Where can I go to have a nice picnic and maybe even get away from everyone? I also might let my brother tag along with his stock titan. Is there any lakes up there or anything like that? Any maps or directions to get around up there? Anyone up for a picnic that knows the area? Thanks, Josh.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The easy part is finding your way around the canyon, the hard part is going to be finding a spot away from others. AF is packed on a normal weekend, opening weekend is usually even worse.

 

[ewander]

So I heard that AF Canyon was opening this weekend. And seeing that I can't get to Moab and have never been up there, I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm running a built cj7, but will have my little ones with me. Where can I go to have a nice picnic and maybe even get away from everyone? I also might let my brother tag along with his stock titan. Is there any lakes up there or anything like that? Any maps or directions to get around up there? Anyone up for a picnic that knows the area? Thanks, Josh.

Has anyone confirmed that it is going to be open this weekend? I have seen it the following weekend due to the amount of snow.

 

[UNSTUCK]

The easy part is finding your way around the canyon, the hard part is going to be finding a spot away from others. AF is packed on a normal weekend, opening weekend is usually even worse.

But there are lakes and such up there? I hear you take the left fork or something like that.. but where do you go from there?

And yeah, I'm just guessing it will be open.

 

[Skwash]

I'll try to drive by on the way to work. And ask. Assumingn there is somebody there around 830 to ask.

 

[Meat_]

But there are lakes and such up there? I hear you take the left fork or something like that.. but where do you go from there?

And yeah, I'm just guessing it will be open.

There are two lakes you can drive to, one is Forest Lake and you wont be driving to it yet this year. The other is Silver Lake, if the road is open you can drive a minivan to that.

 

[Coreshot]

But there are lakes and such up there? I hear you take the left fork or something like that.. but where do you go from there?

And yeah, I'm just guessing it will be open.

Once you get up past the cave parking lot, the road splits. Left takes you to Tibble Fork reservior (where the actual gate is). If the gates are open, you can head to the left up to Silver lake Flat, right takes you toward Mineral Basin.

If you go right at the first fork (after the cave PL), this heads toward Sundance and Provo Cyn, but I'm sure that gate won't be open yet.

 

[Badger]

as always Google is your friend

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The USFS is also your friend:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/uinta/maps/brochures/2004/af_canyon_trail_map.pdf

(Found via Google )


You can often ask for this map when you pay your user fee at the mouth of the canyon, however they are out of them on a regular basis too.

 

[Badger]

Yes you can but for general directions to the area I figured google maps would be the best easiest to understand map that is also easy to find for the average person.

 

[Meat_]

as always Google is your friend

Even more friendly Google map

 

[natius]

Open?

So what is the verdict? Is it going to be open this weekend? It would be fun to bust through some snow heading up towards mineral basin.

 

[DevinB]

According to this thread, the gate is now open.

 

[jsudar]

North Fork is open

I was up there Friday (23rd) morning/afternoon and the only gate that is open is to go up north fork. Silver Lake is still closed, so is the loop road. However, the ranger told me that the loop road would be open on June 6th. I drove most of the way to Mineral basin, turned around at Dutchman Flat because it was snowing, I was in a stock truck and I was going to be late for work. The road is muddy, but passable. I only passed one other truck and one four wheeler. Didn't see anyone else. There were a number of campsites still available up north fork. By the way, as of last monday the fee to get in the canyon has increased to $6

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Reports? How much snow? How far are the trails open? Lots of users?

 

[jdub]

Till the reports come in, I was wondering if there is much else I should explore up there? I've been to silver lake and silver lake flat. 2 years ago was my first time to Forest Lake. What's in the Mineral Basin area? I've seen some of the crew here have the trail as some of their favorites to run. What's at pitsberg lake? I've seen the basin from the top at the Bird's tram, seems fun! Is it worth it to make the trek, or is forest lake a better call? Oh! One last thing, Is it easier to come at it from the Midway side?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Lots to see and do up AF, and for me the fun starts when you get out of the rig to explore.

Pitsburg is a hike only at this point, but well worth it to see the neat lake and the history surrounding it. Miller Hill and Mary Ellen Gulch both offer great views and history. Mineral Basin offers a bit of challenge mixed up with some great scenery and history.

Did you read this post?

 

[jdub]

I haven't seen that map, it was very helpful. I've been scouting out a few trails to run, I'll definitely make it up into the basin this summer. I'm trying to connect the Little Deer creek trail again. You have to climb the ridge up there and it's so steep it's not even fun, last time I scoped it I was standing on top of a 30' deep cornice! Want to have some short afternoon trips for the whole family close to Provo. Another question with the map, there is an off-road trail on the north end of Silver Lake, it was a couple of years ago but it seemed totally washed out-impassible, is that right?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

There are two trails up there, Earl-Eagle and Milkmaid, both were passable as of last year. Eagle-Earl (Upper Major Evans Gulch) is closed ~2/3 of the way up as it enters some private property. Milkmaid is open in its entirety.

 

[jdub]

Is milkmaid any fun?