Nebo Loop to Bear Canyon — Uinta National Forest Wasatch Plateau Backdoor via Birdseye Pass
Nebo's raw east face — shelves, shale, and desert views.
Mount Nebo tops out at 11,928 feet and the roads flanking its east face don’t let you forget it. The Birdseye Pass connector — running south from the pavement of the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway down FR 016 toward Birdseye and Mona — drops you through aspen-choked switchbacks onto the desert benchland in about 14 miles. This isn’t the groomed scenic byway; it’s the raw backside, loose shale on the descents, one exposed shelf section above Bear Canyon where the road narrows and the valley floor is a long way down. The trail connects the high country to the dry Great Basin in a single gut-punch descent.
Rated moderate to difficult depending on season. Snowmelt keeps this closed or nasty through May most years; late June through October is your window. High-clearance 4WD handles the shelf section fine — the shale can be slick in rain so don’t push it. No permit needed. Fuel in Payson or Nephi before heading up. Water is available at Payson Lakes Campground near the north end; dry below that. Dispersed camping is plentiful on the forest side. Cell service disappears on the east face. The view of Nebo’s summit from the upper bench is worth every washboard mile.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9450 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Nephi, Utah |
| Land manager | Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest — Spanish Fork Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Nebo Loop area page |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance rig like a 4Runner, Tacoma, or Wrangler is the baseline here. The shale sections and shelf road require decent clearance and 4WD traction, but you don't need a lift or lockers to get through.
When does Birdseye Pass typically open after winter, and is snow a concern in early summer?
The route is generally passable June through October, but snow can linger on the upper sections into late May or early June at 9,400 feet. Check with the Spanish Fork Ranger District before heading out in June — conditions vary year to year.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to run this trail?
No permit is required to drive this backcountry route through Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. There's no fee for dispersed camping either — standard forest rules apply, so pack it in, pack it out.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The exposed shelf road dropping off the east face toward the Juab Valley is where it gets real — narrow, loose shale, and steep fall-offs with no guardrails. It's not technical rock crawling, but it demands a confident driver and a rig that doesn't push wide on switchbacks.
Is there any water or gas available along the route, and how far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead?
There's no reliable water or fuel on the trail itself — Nephi is your last stop for gas, roughly 15–20 miles from the southern end. Cell service is nonexistent out here, so fuel up, carry extra water, and don't count on calling for help if something goes sideways.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.