Puffer Lake to Big Johns Flat via Puffer Lake and Skyline Trails

Trail

This moderate trail is about 6 miles long one way with about a 1255 foot elevation change. Keep in mind though that there is some up and down within the trail. More importantly, even though this trail is only moderately difficult based on elevation changes and terrain, it is difficult to follow as it does not seem to be well marked or maintained in places. This is especially true of the Puffer Lake Trail (Trail 175).

Topographical Map of Full Trail

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

We started at Puffer Lake at an ATV trail. Our Fishlake National Forest map shows a hiking trail stemming from this same area and going more directly over to the main Puffer Lake Trail from the Cullen Creek Rd. However, we didn't see it. If it is really there, I believe it starts further up the road.

Puffer Lake

The ATV trail ended up taking us back toward the main road. The ATV trail ended abruptly at the trail head for the Puffer Lake Trail. We found a trail marker at this point and the trail turned and headed in a northeast direction. It had a steady but not overly steep incline and was pleasantly shaded since went through the forest. While the trail did not seem extremely well used, we managed to follow it without too much trouble until we reached and opening where the trail intersected with the ski resort's ATV trails, about 1.5 miles from our starting point. The in the middle of this area is a metal box. (Because nothing was well marked, we ended up following the ATV trail at this point heading north down the hill - marked by the white trail in the maps - and ended up at the ski lift. We realized we were not on the trail and had to go back up the hill to find the right trail.) When reaching this point, make sure you continue straight along the ridge and do not take the ATV trails. The actual Puffer Lake Trail probably will not be immediately visible, but as you continue it will appear again.

Topographical Map of Puffer Lake Trail (white trail = ATV ski lift trail)

View from open area at metal box

From here the trail was pretty easy to follow until we reached and crossed the creek (the creek is marked by the blue diamond shapes on the topographical maps). Immediately after crossing the creek (at about N38 20.415 W112 21.624), the trail disappeared almost entirely. We managed to find a leaning wooden beam in the middle of some rocks, but any sign it might have held at one point was gone. We continued to head west looking for signs of the trail without much luck. Eventually we noticed a wooden bridge or walkway up by some pine trees above us (marked by the green flag in the topographical maps at about N38 20.514 W112 21.771), so we continued up to that point where we found the Skyline Trail.

Topographical Map of Skyline Trail

Wooden bridge/walkway by which we were able to find the Skyline Trail

After continuing northwest along the Skyline trail for a little ways, we found a sign apparently marking the intersection of the Skyline and Puffer Lake Trails. However, the Puffer Lake Trail seems to get lost in the meadow not long after this sign. The sign itself was broken with a piece of it lying on the ground, which we picked up and placed back on the sign.

Sign marking the intersection of Puffer Lake and Skyline Trails

View from junction of two trails. Downhill path is the white ATV trail on maps

After you reach the Skyline Trail, the trail is easier to follow, although it too has a couple rough spots. It seems that the Skyline trail at the north where the trail head is shown on the above maps has changed at times. We ended up on a section of the trail that according the markers we saw is now closed.  We still found the trail head, but not by the main route. Therefore I have adjusted the trail shown in the maps to where I believe this trail is supposed to be. Just be aware that it may not be entirely accurate though. There are outhouse style restrooms at the Big Johns Flat trail head.

Overall, this is a beautiful trail that is pleasantly cool in the summer due to its high elevation. Hikers will find a great mix of shady forests, open meadows, colorful wildflowers, expansive mountain views, and babbling brooks as they transverse the trail. Dogs and livestock are permitted on these trails.

I would not recommend attempting this trail route though without a map and GPS or compass. Knowing what to expect of these trails ahead of time should also help. For a map of the area, you can go by the Beaver Ranger District Office at 575 South Main Street in Beaver. They will give you a "free" map courtesy of your tax dollars. Just beware that the personnel there did not give us accurate trail lengths. The trails ended up being longer than we were told.

Directions

This trail is located near Beaver, Utah up Beaver Canyon in Beaver County. When coming from the north, to get there from I-15 take exit 112 for Beaver. Turn left onto Main Street, and then turn left onto 200 North/UT-153. If you are coming from the south, take exit 109 off I-15, turn right onto Main Street, and then right onto 200 North/UT-153. Continue up UT-153 for about 21 miles. This will take you up Beaver Canyon and into Fishlake National Forest to a dirt road on your left. Turn onto this dirt road, called Cullen Creek Rd. It will be labeled with signs for Puffer Lake. Continue up this road about 0.4 miles to reach the ATV trail we started on as shown on the above maps.

Alternatively, to start from the other end of this trail, go up UT-153 for about 16.3 miles and then turn left onto Sunset Dr., which is a gravel road. Stay left at the fork to head to Big Johns Flat. Continue another 4.5 miles to reach the trail head (N38 21.541 W112 23.570). Beware that it may be more difficult to start the trail from this end and then find the Puffer Lake Trail from the Skyline Trail if you don't know where to look.