Lizard Lake

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. 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.

The DH route below Lizard Lake is studded with fallen trees, many of them years old. Some are small enough to bang over, and some have cheater routes around them. There are plenty of eight-inch-plus logs that are a nice challenge. Ride what you can, step over the rest. This is the fun part -- see how many you can clear.

Access Info

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.)

Loop parking, bottom of shuttle: As you approach a cattleguard, there's a dirt road on the right, signed for 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.

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.

This trail is unsanctioned.