The Three Forks Loop is a strong-intermediate to advanced trail. Length is 16 miles, with 1900 vertical feet of elevation change. The trail begins at Three Forks, where Cottonwood Creek, Sixth Water, and Diamond Fork Creek come together. From the parking area, ride through the gate next to the rest rooms. Then immediately turn right onto a small footbridge that crosses Sixth Water. After crossing the river, bike straight ahead about 100 feet and plunge straight through Cottonwood Creek. Once you've crossed Cottonwood Creek, you're on the trail.
At 4.7 miles, the trail comes to a dirt road. The actual trail turns to the left a climbs sharply uphill. You can either follow the trail or cross the small stream and ride the dirt road - both will eventually connect to Ray's Valley Road. If you're a strong rider, take the trail (my preference). At the waterfalls, you'll have to carry your bike up a short rock face. At a trail intersection .5 miles above the waterfalls, turn to the right.
At Ray's Valley Road, turn left onto the road and ride 4.5 to 5 miles to the Fifth Water Trail. (Look for a prominent double-track crossing the road on the far side of a creek, note the sign that says "Fifth Water," and turn left downhill.) The first mile of Fifth Water is double-track. The next two miles of single-track have some tricky sections, then the trail widens and runs quickly down to Sixth Water (a larger creek), then to the Three Forks trailhead. You'll come out of the woods next to the bridge you crossed to reach Cottonwood Creek.
 | Fifth Water Trail No. 015 |  | 4.7 mi |
| Second Water Trail | | 5.7 mi |
The trails are great but the downfall is you do have to ride on road for a bit more than I would like. The 5th water trail portion do
| Thankthere are several more options to this loop. For the more advanced and physically fit; follow directions give to Rays Road, then cross the road to 2nd water trail.. (continuation of Cottonwood trail, which is actually 2nd Water trail 018) A steep but mostly ridable 1.5 miles up to Center trail 009 which crosses over to 5th water trail (015) and eventually to Halls Fork. 3rd water and 4th water both have trails down that you can bail if you are loosing your lunch by now.. they both take you back down to Rays Road where you turn right to follow and connect with 5th water. or continue to 5th water on 009. 3rd water (020) and 4th water (017) are sign posted.
| ThankCenter trail 009 crosses over several ridges..along Strawberry Ridge, you will find some hike-a-bike depending on your fitness and technical skill levels, the climbs are short and rewarded with fun downhill single track before taking on the next ridge. The first drop down into 3rd water is very technical.. steep and you may scare yourself! the next couple of down hills are also single track, but not as steep or demanding. Once past 4th water trail connection, you have one mile left to 5th water 015. you will come upon a watering hole for the cattle, which will at first seem like 5th water, continue on over the next ridge. The drop down into 5th water is by far the most demanding, steep and some technical.. mostly just too steep to stop so you have to ride it by 'default' ! Once to the bottom you will come to trail 015 .. a left takes you down to Ray's road and across to follow on 015 to Three Forks Trail Head.
This loop adds a few miles and much much more vertical to the ride. Plan on 5 - 6 hrs for the loop. I rate this one very difficult because of the fitness level and sections of advanced technical downhill.