Boundary Trail #272

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Fishing · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

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)