The trailhead just off of Ray's Valley Road
The start of the singletrack with a small cattle guard passing through the fence
A width-limiter for keeping larger vehicles off the trail
The first section of trail only had a slight incline, and snaked gently through brush and small trees
A beaver pond
Trail junction after the first two miles. I took the left fork, which climbed up Fifth Water Ridge.
The trail following the creek
Here the creek runs along the trail, and the only choices I had were to bushwhack around it while carrying my bike, or to simply ride through the water. I chose the latter, but my bike made a lot of strange noises after getting really wet.The end of the creek-trail
The end of the creek-trail
Wild roses
View up a small canyon between Fifth Water Ridge and Fifth Water Creek. It is at this point where the trail really begins to climb.
Still climbing, but it's not too steep
The trail leveled out here a bit, then climbed a very steep section
Nearing the top of Fifth Water Ridge
Almost to Mud Spring
Just past Mud Spring
The trail forks atop Fifth Water Ridge. Left takes you down into Sixth Water, and right follows Fifth Water Ridge up to Strawberry Ridge. I went right.
View across the hills west of Fifth Water Ridge
Strawberry Ridge in the distance
A crooked tree
Trail on Fifth Water Ridge
The end of the singletrack on Fifth Water Ridge
Dirt road
The graded dirt road leading up to Strawberry Ridge
Sunset through the aspens
View along the canyon between Fifth Water Creek and Fifth Water Ridge
Teat Mountain
This bird landed near me and held still long enough for me to snap a couple of quick photos
I believe that is Mt. Nebo centered in the distance
View toward Strawberry Reservoir from Strawberry Ridge
Closer view of Strawberry Reservoir
Sunset
The start of the singletrack down into Fifth Water Creek
More downhill
Nearing Fifth Water Creek
Another section where the creek follows the trail
The trail along Fifth Water Creek
This was the last and deepest water crossing on the loop. I carried my bike across it while stepping on stones that are not quite visible behind the bushes on the right.
Back at the trailhead with the nearly-full moon shining brightly
