Near Boundary Trail #272
Pebble Creek Bridge on the Boundary Trail
Near Boundary Trail #272
Pebble Creek in the morning light
Near Boundary Trail #272
Haystack Mountain from the east
Near Boundary Trail #272
The green pastures of the upper Portneuf River, seen from the Boundary Trail.

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Hike Trail

Boundary Trail #272

5.0 (1 Rating)
The main portion of the national forest Boundary Trail in the Portneuf Mountains provides numerous adventures.
27.7
mi
Distance
7,106
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsFishingGeologically SignificantRiver/CreekSpringSwimmingViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
27.69mi
Distance
7,106ft
Elevation Gain
7,209ft
Elevation Loss
30%
Max Grade
6,927ft
High Point
5,431ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
This trail can be accessed at many different points along its route, but the main trailheads are Pebble Creek Ski Area and Big Springs Campground. Along with the North Boundary Trail #244, this trail circumnavigates the Portneuf Mountains and more or less follows the boundary of this particular section of the Caribou National Forest. This route features numerous climbs over ridges and down into canyons. There is a diversity of plant life as you ascend up and down through different types of forests, from low elevation pinyon forests up through aspen groves and large pine and fir forests. Early in the season, this route has many creek crossings. Later in the season, these creeks shrink considerably, and so there are fewer crossings. Water is fairly plentiful, especially in May, June, and July. Here is a breakdown of the route, starting from the west side and going eastbound (start by heading south). Mile 0: Pebble Creek Ski Area 0.6: Lower Rock Creek 3.2: Upper Rock Creek - 300 foot climb after 5.1: Robbers Roost Creek - (junction with Lower Robbers Roost Trail #265) wide creek, likely a wet crossing, 450 climb after 6: Junction with Robbers Roost Trail #253 6.5: Quinn Creek - 350 foot climb after 8.1: East Twomile Creek (very small creek, not a lot of water) 400 foot climb after 10.1: Harkness Creek (junction with Harkness Canyon Road) 1400 foot climb after 15.6: E. Bob Smith Creek (junct East Bob Smith Creek Trail). Bridge! 1000 foot climb after. Last water until South Fork 18.2 Junctions w/ Bird Canyon and Beach Hollow trails 21: Junction w/ Reed Canyon Trail - 1100 foot climb after 24.3: South Fork Pebble Creek (junct. w/ S. Fork Pebble Creek Road) 26: Clear Creek (nearby there are junctions with Clear Creek Trail and Clear Creek Road)

Route Conditions

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No Condition Reports
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Contributors
Keaton Reed