Lizard Lake - Loop ride or DH bomber
Lizard Lake offers two advanced-technical rides: A 3-1/2 mile DH ride connecting two points on the Nebo Loop road, with 1500 vertical feet of descent. Note that the route described below does not actually pass Lizard Lake (because the trail around the lake requires a bit of climbing). The second is a short loop from the Shram Creek trailhead, heading up and around Lizard Lake, then descending via the lower portion of the DH trail for 5.2 miles and 900 feet of climbing. Both rides require log-hopping skills for maximum enjoyment. For intermediate riders, there's the option of taking the upper portion of the Lizard Lake DH, but continuing downhill on the Shram Creek Trail.
Riding notes, counter clockwise loop:
0.0   From parking N39 56.558 W111 40.564
Drop off parking on DT, L uphill on ST
0.2   Trail from alternate parking joins on R
N39 56.403 W111 40.661
0.7   Fork R (L = return path) N39 56.033 W111 40.625
1.1   Fork L (R = to Sheepherder Trail)
N39 55.879 W111 40.864
2.4   Straight. Lizard Lake DH splits off on L
N39 54.983 W111 40.490
2.6   Fork L (down through creek) Rock Springs Trail
N39 54.765 W111 40.662
2.9   Lizard Lake, fork L toward lake
N39 54.827 W111 40.403
3.2   Keep straight downhill
N39 54.983 W111 40.490 (L = DH route from Shram)
4.5   Rejoin Shram Trail  N39 56.033 W111 40.625
5.2   Back at trailhead.
Riding notes, DH route:
0.0    Start north (R) from road along fence
0.8    Fork R on Rock Springs
1.0    Fork L on Shram Creek
(don't go through creek)
1.2    Fork right (Lizard Lake DH)
1.3    Keep straight (R = up to lake)
2.7    Rejoin Shram Creek Trail
3.2    Fork R
3.4    Up across cattleguard to parking

Shuttle: Parking area as below.
Top trailhead for DH ride:
Continue uphill on the Nebo Loop Road about 5 miles. As you see the gravel Santaquin Canyon road splitting off ahead on your right, the Lizard Lake trail heads north (to your right) away from the road along the western side of the fenceline.

Getting there: Going south, take the Payson exit 250 from I-15 and turn left. Head into Payson on U-115 to the traffic light, then turn left (100 North, U-198). About 1/3 mile later, at the top of a small hill, turn right at 600 East. Zero your odometer here. Drive 9.1 miles up the Nebo Loop Road. (Pass the Grotto Trail and Bennie Creek Cutoff Trail.) As you approach a cattleguard, there's a dirt road on the right to Winward Reservoir. Parking is at the wide area on your left. The Shram Creek trail starts about 150 feet down the dirt road, just across the cattleguard, on the left.

Copyright 2007 Mad Scientist Software Inc. Trail conditions change. Use this trail guide at your own risk.