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Ashley
| Established: |
1908 |
| Location: |
Northeastern Utah |
| Acres: |
1,382,347 |
Nestled in elevations ranging from
6,000-13,500 feet are the dense pine forests of Ashley.
Its steep canyon walls plunging over a thousand feet
along the Green River. Ashley National Forest has 120
miles of hiking trails that lace through its forests of
pinyon and juniper (at the lower levels). Terminating
with aspen, pine, and fir high on the mountain slopes.
The highlight of the National Forest is
a 66 mile stretch along Hwys 191 and 44, from Vernal to
the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. It
contains some of Ashley's most scenic vistas. Ending at
the Flaming Gorge Lake which was named after the
brilliant red-rock formations that border its 90 mile
long shores. The 1,400 feet Red Canyon wall makes a
dramatic scenic backdrop to boating, fishing and sailing
on the lake. Flaming Gorge Lake has excellent fishing for
brown, rainbow, and lake trout. Kokanee salmon make their
annual run up Sheep Creek in early September.
UT,
Ashley National Forest, Flaming Gorge Lake
A breathtaking full day excursion into
the Flaming Gorge begins below the Dam where rafts travel
8 miles to the Little Hole Campground. Wildlife visible
along the waterway include deer, antelope, coyotes,
mountain lion, elk, moose, and the newly reintroduced
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. A mild river excursion that
everyone can enjoy. In total there are 28 campgrounds
with over 1,000 campsites located in the Ashley National
Forest. There is rarely a problem with crowds at this
third least visited National Forest in the nation. Among
the most scenic campgrounds are Carmel, Canyon Rim and
Moon Lake (for Moon Lake reservations http://www.reserveusa.com/nrrs/ut/moon. The Carmel Campground is located at the
entrance to Sheep Canyon, 5 mi S of Manila on Rt 44.
Ashley National Forest, 355 North Vernal Avenue, Vernal
UT 84078 (801) 789-1181. www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley
All text and photos copyright ©1994-2006 Charles A. Read and ScenicUS.
Comments or Suggestions, Contact the Author Charles A. Read.
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