Baxter Hollow – Greater Cache Valley, Utah
Links to Strava:
Baxter to Hyrum
Baxter- common route – sheds to Wellsville Park N Ride (pix in strava)
Baxter – Ankle turn day
Baxter – Moonlight run
So the route details:
So one of the things about this route is that there is what I call a common route. Then, one has so many options based on your needs.
The common route typically involves some minor coordination. In Logan, we often meet at the Wellsville Park N Ride:
Once you have arrived at the Park N Ride and after a few conversations, one or many cars will head out from here to the place we tend to park. It used to be no problem, but it has been a bit more interesting lately with the quarry growing its presence. Here is a link to the parking area – ish.
Once you have parked it’s time to get moving. The first part of the run is interesting as it rises about 200 or so vertical feet up a moderate to steep slope (8%) on an unimproved road (W Mt Pisgah Rd Climb). This 1/3 of a mile gets you ready for the rest of the quite pleasant and moderate run. The rest of the initial run is shown in this Strava segment here. After mounting the initial hill, you settle into a 4% downgrade and cruise on through highly shaded and great terrain. It’s an old unimproved road surface. This section is normally quite good and not rutted out. But don’t get too distracted at the greatness of this find, because as quickly as you get taken away! Whap! You may be picking yourself up, I have seen a few tumbles in this area by those converting from road to trail in this section, and there isn’t much here to knock you over. Unfortunately you, as the runner, own the consequences of your inattention here. You then climb again to get to the connector to take you down out of the trails back to the road that will carry you to the Park N Ride.
The section from the butte down is where runners need to be alert. The challenge is this is where some of the arguably best views of all of Cache Valley can be witnessed from a moderate level of just over 6000 ft in elevation. Sometimes an old couch still remains at the butte, other times you may be greeted by four-wheelers and those raptor-ing around. During hunting season be aware as this can be an entry point into some of the Mt Sterling locations in and around the Old Sardine Canyon Road. From this point, a rutted unimproved road awaits you. I have fallen and tweaked my ankle quite bad here, and was able to hobble all the out. It’s about 3 single tracks, two elevated sides with a deep rut in the middle. Pick your poison, and be ready for a great moderate downhill grade. It is often covered in shade with sunbeams washing through to greet you with the beautiful views of the Wellsville mountains and plenty of views of Mt Sterling plains and beyond into the GReater Cache Valley.
The overall common route from the parking point listed to the Park N Ride is approximately 8 miles and some change. The overall elevation can change based on which route and mileage you take. you have about 3 – 4 different options along the Mt Pisgah road and if you use google maps you can scout out plenty of options. IF you want to shorten it and have a car at the end of the trail you can do that too, and many places to also drop a car to alter route lengths to meet various needs.
I have watched folks from many abilities complete this, from recent couch surfers to quite advanced ultra and endurance runner types. This route is pleasant all times of the year and provides a good mix of trail and road, and moderate elevations (rises/descents) to keep any runner from being bored. And the views and the company you get to keep are quite worth it.
Enjoy!
The lonely road down
Washing out of the top section before the 2nd incline
Top of Pisgah about to head down to the old sardine road junction
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