Indian Trails of Anza-Borrego

 

Joshua Tree NP South

Huge marker near Ridge BM

Survey marker on Ridge Canyon rim with peculiar pipe

Ridge Canyon rim

Slab at Ridge Canyon

Guzzler in Little Fargo

Peak 4134

Bert Basin

Tims Ladder Trail

East Deception Canyon

East Deception Canyon

  DILLON ROAD runs along the south side of the park and various side roads access the canyons. The historic aqueduct has made access tricky at some canyons. Posted 2025

⦁ FARGO CANYON ROAD - it goes paved to a quarry then 4wd for 2 miles to the mouth of the canyon then it goes to the far bank where some pavement has survived. That first 2 miles is lined with shooter trash and household trash. It's fairly clean on up canyon and easy 4wd until the SE side of Low Fargo BM. Jeeps have no trouble though and then the road splits where Rockhouse Canyon comes in. A half mile up Rockhouse are some bad spots then comes a main fork where the main road goes right and on to the Thermal Canyon road but I didn't ride it. The main arm of Rockhouse on up from that main fork is a rocky mess. One jeep got to the 2600 line and dirt bikes likely go all the way thru to the road at the upper end. Ebikes would make it nearly a mile inside the mouth of Fargo. I put info on peakbagger on the map for High Fargo BM. Posted 2024

⦁ RIDGE CANYON  is what I call the one between Rockhouse and Little Fargo. It's an easy loop up canyon then back on the west rim by way of Ridge BM. 4wds make it to the 1600 line in the canyon. Just past there are slabs on the left bank that must be associated with aqueduct construction. It's mostly smooth sand up to a 15 foot fall at the 2760 line. A gully on the left is an easy bypass then shortly a second little fall is passed on the left. Then a third fall is class 4 but I chickened out and went left around it then up a minor chokestone and on to the east side of peak 3659. A left fork there leads to the rim south of that peak then no issues down to Ridge BM and then a huge marker above the aqueduct. The rim is easy on down to peak 2594 and then a SE ridge leads down to the slabs. More markers are on the ridge at the 2080 line. 5 hours, 20 minutes, 8 miles with 2140 gain according to the app but hardly any is steep. Posted 2024

⦁ HIGH FARGO BENCHMARK el 3051 is an easy loop out of Fargo Canyon. I parked at the NW ridge reading N33 46139 , W116 04095 el 1700. I went up then down the north ridge to one of those huge markers over the aqueduct at 45519, 03379 el 2900. Then on down to 45693, 03304 el 2750 where I could either stay on the ridge down or move to the next one to my right. I chose the latter because I could see it. I hit bottom and strolled back. 3 hours, 15 minutes with 1500 gain. Posted 2024.

⦁ ROCKHOUSE CANYON - I walked up canyon then back over peak 4134. I parked a  half mile up the canyon north of peak 2562 then walked up the main fork and took the fork that goes to the 22 on the topo. The fork turns south there toward the peak then at the 3800 line I got on the right rim and on up to the summit. The reg there was placed by M&L in 1980. The next party came in 1983 then the last in 1993. I kept going down the south ridge to N33 47299, W116 01664 el 3550 where I could see the rest. 4 hours, 21 minutes and 8.4 miles. The gain was 2150 but all easy but for the last 200 up the peak. Sissy drivers can park near Low Fargo BM and it will only add a mile each way. Posted 2024.

⦁ LITTLE FARGO CANYON makes a good loop up canyon then back on west ridges. I followed the main road into Fargo Canyon as shown on the topo then followed obvious tracks leading into Little Fargo. I parked at the main fork near point 1539. It's easy 4wd that far. I walked up the right fork to a narrows at the 1960 line where a 15 foot fall stops vehicles. A class 3 rock ladder on the left is easier than it looks. I went up canyon to a guzzler that explained why I was seeing a million sheep tracks. 4 young sheep carcasses where there. I went on up canyon and took the fork along the east side of peak 3135 then up a ridge at N33 48718, W116 05719 el 2900. At the 3400 line I dropped down to the main ridge then stayed right of the first two bumps then left of a third large one and on to the west saddle of peak 3182 reading 48732, 06868 el 3100. I stayed on top of the ridge weaving boulders and it soon got easier and then on to the descent ridge at 48689, 07351 el 3000.  A handy sheep trail at 48360, 07249 el 2600 to the right of center makes it easy to go on another fifth mile where I dropped right down a ridge into a basin. I call it Bern Basin. I followed smooth sand down that and had one class 3 fall 15 feet high. I scooted down that on my butt then strolled on to the start. 5 hours, 8 miles with 2100 gain and hardly ever steep. ALTERNATE - another idea here would be to use Ridge Canyon for a loop in the two canyons. Posted 2024.

⦁ BERN BENCHMARK is on the west rim of Little Fargo. I made a good loop by parking at the 1160 line and walking up Little Fargo and then up the fork that goes into Bern Basin north of the peak. I went up a little peak on the rim of the basin for a view at N33 47906, W116 07444. I came back down the wash and thru a minor saddle at 47544, 06925 then up to a saddle on the right to get on the main rim and walked it over the BM then on down the rim to the start. Nearly 4 hours and maybe 200 noticeable gain. Easy. The basin is the prettiest area around. Posted 2024.

⦁ INDIO HILLS HIGH POINT has a jeep road all the way, but I made a hike out of it by walking up the road then down the long south ridge. At the junction of Dillon and Fargo roads, there is a dirt road heading west to the huge power lines. The southern road along the lines is the better one. At tower #27 there is a sandy roading cutting right that goes thru the hills. The reading there is N33 45062, W116 11259. Stay left at a main fork to get to the east side of the ridge. I parked north of peak 552 then walked the road up to the summit then back down the south ridge on a spotty trail. At 46069, 11611 I dropped down a gully back to the start. 3 hours, 1200 noticeable gain. The jeep road is steep but not eroded. I saw ebike tracks all the way to where I parked. NORTH RIDGE ROUTE - the Macomber Palms hike starts out up the north ridge of the peak and that's a shorter way up. Posted 2024.

⦁ BERDOO CANYON ROAD - this starts out as old pavement then at 1.3 miles in from Dillon Rd it drops into a wash. I call that spot the shooting gallery. Shooters have targets in the wash and they shoot in every direction. That lasts a quarter mile. Segments of driveable pavement have survived beyond there until the last segment on the left at point 1558 which is only wide enough for two wheelers. 4 wheelers stay right around it. The first tricky spot is at the 1900 line then at the 3400 line the road splits. The one on the right bank is the lesser of evils. Soon after that is the last tricky spot at a gooseneck then no issues to where the road tops out next to peak 4791. I stopped there, 10.5 miles in. I could have rode an ebike that far. Stock 4wds have no problem with this road. The aqueduct construction camp was just above the 1600 line. It had a hospital. Count on shooters 24/7  as far as the park boundary. I heard a machine gun one night. Cycle riders should wear a bulletproof vest and armored helmet. I put info on peakbagger on the map for Little Berdoo BM. Posted 2024.

⦁ WEST BERDOO CANYON is a smooth one that makes a good one way hike. I parked on the Berdoo road at a gully reading N33 49334, W116  10191 el 1250. I went up that then over to the main wash at 49523, 10645 el 1400. I went up staying left at main forks to the SE saddle of Push BM. I left my pack there and went up to the summit and back then down the ridge toward Center BM then on down to Dillon Rd to a pole near the 1000 line where I had my bike stashed. 2 hours, 40 minutes with 1300 gain. Only the last 500 to the peak is steep and that can be skipped. Posted 2024.

⦁ INDIO CANYON is smooth sand most of the way. I did a loop up canyon then back on the rim but the hike has to be started at dawn before shooters show up. I parked on the Berdoo Canyon road where it dips into the main wash a bit over a mile in from Dillon Rd. I walked downstream a third mile to an abandoned road going over the rim into Indio. I strolled up canyon and had some minor class 2 falls but at the 2600 line there is one 7 feet high bordering on class 4. I got up it OK then on to the saddle south of peak 3255. I walked up the rim on a sheep trail that levels off along the left side of the peak then went on to a deep saddle el 2150 near Berdoo Adit 1. I dropped down the drainage there on the left bank reading N33 49413, W116 08924 and then about halfway down moved right on smoother ground and hit the Berdoo road at the 1640 line. A bike there saves a 2 mile walk back. That took 5 hours, 8 miles with 2600 gain but 2000 is up the easy canyon. Those stats are just the hiking part and don't include the bike shuttle. Going one way from the 2640 line in Berdoo Canyon then over into Indio and down the canyon to Dillon Rd would avoid shooter risk but not entirely. A bullet fired at an optimal angle could hit Indio and the gravel plant and Dillon Rd. That would be a 7 mile hike and I would take a hook and line for that tricky fall. That's a pristine canyon. Posted 2024

⦁ PEAK 4717 is on the north rim of Berdoo Canyon. I made a loop up the east canyon then down the SE ridge. I parked on the Berdoo road at the 1900 line where there is a bad spot. I walked up the road and took a left fork at N33 50198, W116 07802 el 2100. I followed the forks that go to the 34 on the topo. At el 2700 there is a narrows with 2 tricky falls about 8 feet high. I barely made it up but there is a chicken route around the right on a mine road. I kept going up past the 34 then up to the saddle el 3950 on the main ridge. I followed a sheep trail up to the 4400 line then angled right to a trail at 51973, 08543 el 4500 and that got me around a peak to the last saddle. The reg was placed by M&L in 1981. I went down the SE ridge that leads to point 3056 then at el 3400 I could see an easy ridge going down to the right. I dropped down it to the main wash then down to a drop at the 2200 line. I backed up a little then up a minor class 3 gully to get on the south rim then went back down at the base of the fall and strolled on out. 5 hours, 8 miles and 2800 gain but the first 2000 is up easy washes. Posted 2024.

⦁ LITTLE BERDOO BENCHARK el 5400+ has easy routes but the scenic route is up the SW canyons and ridges. I parked on the Berdoo road at the return canyon el 2100. Lacking a shuttle, I walked on up the road over a mile to canyon at N33 49979, W116 06664 el  2500 and went up that to 50796, 05399 el 3850 where a steep ridge took me up to the rim. I followed a spotty sheep trail on up to the summit then on to peak 5238. I dropped down a ridge there reading 52149, 06048 el 5150 and walked down thru point 4620 then at el 3250 a crag is in the way. Sheep go along the right side and then the easiest looking route bends left to 50827, 07217 el 2650 where a trail drops left to the wash then on back to the road. 7 hours, 11 miles with 3700 gain but the first 1700 is up easy washes. An ebike shuttle would save over a mile. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.

⦁ MACOMBER PALMS have a rough trail in from the north. Happy Valley Rd goes south from Dillon Rd and in just over a half mile I parked and walked up a ridge at N33 49615, W116 13979 then on to the trail at 49220, 14041. It goes to a saddle then down canyon to the palms. At 48838, 14292 el 1200 the trail runs on the left bank then down a point and stays on the left bank then fades but is easy sand on down to the palms. I followed the low ground to the right past more palms then on to a trail at 48639, 16257. It goes over the rim into the next canyon which is the one I returned in. I stayed right at the first main fork and followed the forks that go along the south side of the eastern 16 on the topo. At 49564, 14729 there is a trail that I used to get back to the start. 3 and a half hours, nearly 8 miles. The only noticeable gain is 150 at the start. Easy but rocky in places. ONE WAY VERSION - keep going the Pushawalla Palms then a trail goes on to the visitor center. That would need an 8 mile shuttle, all paved. Posted 2024

⦁ HERMAN MOUNTAIN el 1300 is at the Coachella Valley Preserve. A trail can be used to go one way over it. I parked on the Thousand Palms Rd at N33 51220, W116 18513 then coasted on my bike for 3 miles to the Willis Palms TH which is at the 380 line on the Thousand Palms Rd. At the palms a right branch of the trail reading 49545, 19770 goes up to the summit then down and then turns toward the visitor center. I left it there and walked to a faint road at 51175, 18664 that took me to my cycle. That took 2 hours, 15 minute with 1000 gain. Ending the hike at the visitor center should work but the area around there was closed that day. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.

⦁ PEAK 5179 is accessed using the Thousand Pams Rd. It goes paved to a locked gate near BM 1494. Jeeps go around it but getting towed out in the event of a breakdown would be tricky. I walked from the gate and up the canyon on the west side of Rusty BM. At the 3200 line it's easy to go up to the rim and walk past the BM and on to the summit. Then I dropped down to the east canyon and back but that route is too tedious without a shuttle. It's better to take the south ridge down or the next one west. I had a 14 mile hike with 3700 gain but the first part to the 3200 line is easy. 7 hours was the time. EAST CANYON ROUTE - that's the route I descended and feasible if riding a bike past the gate to the main wash that leads into the canyon running east below Rusty BM. The easiest ridge is at N33 56787, W116 15622 el 4150 and it's all easy washes getting there. Posted 2024.

⦁ TIMS LADDER TRAIL is a steep one going up from Sky Valley Resort. It goes to Wide BM then on to a minor peak el 3100. I went up and came down East Deception Canyon but it's easier to reverse it. Drive to the resort on Dillon Rd then go west another tenth mile and park at a gate. Then ride an ebike east on Dillon to Gemini and go north on that to a T. Go right a short way to a gate. Walk on past the gate a tenth mile then to avoid rocks head for N33 54219, W116 19864 then on to the road and up canyon to peak 2669. It's way easier to take the wash on the north side of the peak and get into the NW saddle then go up ridge to the east  of peak 3584 and then it goes north of the peak. Get into a canyon there at 57115, 20124 and go down it a quarter mile or so where it's easy to get on the west rim. Then just stay on the high ridge all the way to Wide BM. The trail starts at 56024, 21097 el 3100 and hits bottom at 54577, 21610 el 1100 and easy to follow. Rocks aren't an issue until below Wide BM where the trail turns rocky.  5 hours, 45 minutes, 10 miles with 1000 gain up the ridge and then minor ups and downs on the high ridge to Wide BM. SHORT VERSION - try going up West Deception along the east side of peak 3327 then into the north saddle and then come back on the high ridge. Or even easier, go up East Wide Canyon then take the fork running to point 2755. Posted 2024. 

⦁ EAST WIDE CANYON is an easy one to make loop hikes. I went up then back in East Deception. The road into East Deception is gated but Gemini is the next road west and it can be taken to the end then a right turn soon leads to another gate el 1320. I parked there then rode my bike to Dillon Rd then west to Wide Canyon Rd. That road ends then I went right for a block to Aqueduct Rd then took that to a fence. Hikers go around the fence at the far left end. I strolled on up canyon and saw hiker tracks as far as the 2240 line. I took the fork running past point 2909 then on to peak 3605. I took a fork there running SE to the saddle  which is south of peak 4128. It reads N33 58380, W116 19824 el 3850. I went down and soon hit a minor drop but a gully on the right gets past it. Then I had smooth sand down to the main canyon. At a main fork el 2800 there was an odd mud flow coming down the east arm and it coated the wash the rest of the way. I got on the right bank at 55639, 19179 for smoother walking and eventulally merged with the road. At the 1440 line I veered off the road thru 54219, 19864 then stayed left of rocks to get out. 6 hours, 45 minutes and 15 miles. I hardly even noticed the 2500 gain. But I did get a workout on the 6 mile bike shuttle. Posted 2024

⦁  LONG CANYON has dirt bike trails. A graded road  goes up canyon to a gate at the 1600 line. Bikes go around that and I saw tracks on the sat image all the way to peak 4100. Another trail goes over Blind BM into Blind Canyon. No dirt bike? Then forget it. Posted 2025

Mountain lion safety

Dinosaur National Monument

Returnable bottle near the Ruple Ranch was likely resting there for half a century.

Jones Hole

Jones Hole

Jones Hole

Red sand near the Ruple Ranch. Easy walking.

Peak 6917 at Island Park

1.  The red country around Lime BM near Ruple Ranch has been a killing zone. I saw a dozen remains of game animals. How many did I miss? A lion was sitting on the creek banks waiting for something to stroll by. It was gone for over a month but if it comes back I would hike elsewhere or at least stay on the ridges. Posted October, 2024.
2. BULL CANYON LOOP - I went down canyon from Plug Hat Rock then back on the north rim. I parked at the picnic area then walked down the highway and dropped down a ridge at N40 17539, W108 58248 and then across a neck at 17616, 58306 el 6700. I went on to a gully at 17671, 58540 then down that and on to a drop at the main canyon. I followed the bank up to the right for a view of the big fall and got close to it then retraced back and stayed on the bank until it ended then dropped to the sandy stream. It was only an inch deep but once I went knee deep in quicksand. It's best to have a friend along to lead thru the quicksand. And have a second friend in case the first one gets sucked under. At 17527, 59764 there is a rock art panel straight up the cliff on the right about 50 feet up. I checked the bench to the left of it and found nothing. I went as far as the canyon coming down the west side of peak 6384 and started up the east rim of it. I went right of center to 17574, 59860 el 6240 then left to get on top then walked the easy ridge to where it meets the main rim trail at 17968, 58486 and followed it less than a mile back to the start. 5 hours, 1000 gain. Some light brush. Sturdy wading shoes would be best for the whole hike. I did this in shorts 20 years ago but forget that now. I was such a man then. I put a track on peakbagger under Plug Hat. Posted Sept, 2024.
3. LOWER BULL CANYON has an elk trail going down in from peak 6385 on the south rim. The sat image shows two roads going to it but the last mile of each is closed. I walked the one from the south at peak 6421 but the one from the east is bound to be nearly as easy and easier to drive to. The trail starts at the end of the road at N40 17079, W109 00372 then down the easy ridge to bottom at 17479, 00664. A trail goes around the base of the cliffs to a petroglyph panel facing the creek. I went up both box canyons on each side of the descent ridge but found nothing. It's a 3 hour hike in and out to the panel with 500 gain and no brush. No recent cattle. Posted 2024.
4. MIDDLE CREEK LOOP - I went down canyon from the Harpers road then out on a jeep trail to point 7763. I parked at west end of the Escalante Overlook then down cow trails to the road below. At the 9 on the topo I stayed left at a fork then on to fork at N40 20165, W108 58146. I went left there and the road soon faded but I was in a clean juniper forest by then. I went on down a slope north of the 8 on the topo and hit the creekbed at 19875, 58997 el 6700. A big drop is a tenth mile down canyon, so I got on the north rim to get between the main forks. Both forks have big drops around the 6400 line. I dropped down an elk route at 19654, 59337 el 6500 and hit the west fork but it's brushy so I walked the bank to the east fork. I was able to go up that to the big fall. Both forks had tiny streams. I  went down the ridge between the forks to the flats. The creekbed is clear to walk but I used a trail on the far right at 19178, 59754 to check for rock art but struck out. I went on thru a gap and crossed the forks of Richardson Draw where the topo shows them to be shallow. The last fork has a trail at 18607, 59917 that crosses and goes along the edge of trees and bends left to the jeep road. I walked that up and stayed on the road that goes to point 7763. I didn't think to spot a bike there so I used a cow trail at 19227, 56484 that took me back to the start. 6 hours, 2000 gain, 11 miles. I did this in shorts but got scratches in the first half mile. Girl hikers won't like that part. All the dirt roads are closed and only used by elk and I. Posted 2024.
5. PEAK 7230 is 2 miles east of Plug Hat Rock. I used the easy 4wd from the Harpers road south of point 6586. At point 6592 I turned toward the peak and parked at the end. I followed the topo to the north side neck then up. I had a 3 hour hike in a clean forest but next time I would go one way from the plateau. I would come down the ridge from the high road el 7700 and cross the neck then up to the summit. The neck is class 2. Then back to the neck and down to Twin Wash. That goes into a slot that might work if dry but the west bank works. I would head for the road that goes to point 6592. It's nearly 3 miles if using the dirt road all the way to pavement. Shortcutting the road might get brushy.  Posted 2024.
6. BLM ROUTE 18 runs along the base of Cliff Ridge. At mp 164.2 on highway 40 is a way to get on it. It goes past Birch Creek and there is an OHV trail going up that to the mouth of that but tough hiking beyond there. Route 18 keeps going past Davis Spring but no water there for years. The road goes on to a main fork where right goes to highway 40 near the junction with highway 45. Left goes on the graded Miners Draw road. This is mainly decent high clearance but the crossings are 4wd. Good for two wheelers as there are few rocks. Posted 2024.
7. CLIFF RIDGE el 8228 has a road running over it. County 1550 comes in from the north off of the Harpers road and cars can make it 7 miles or so to camps on the the cliff edge. Then it's high clearance on to the summit where the road drops to Cub Creek but that part is steep 4wd even though the county maintains it. The main attraction is the easy west ridge which I call Polaris Ridge. A one way hike down is preferable and only 4 hours but that's a tedious shuttle so I looped it. I parked at the end of the road near point 8004 in a good pinyon forest with camp spots. I walked down the ridge and along the right side of peaks 7223 and 6954. Then up and along the left side of peak 6635. Just before peak 6263 I took a ridge down to peak 5555 where there is a road. Part of a Polaris ATV is along there at N40 20660, W109 13985 el 5900. He must have planned to ride to the summit. I wonder what happened? I walked the road to the end then dropped right to a road in a canyon and then on to 20903, 14781 where I crossed a line of cottonwoods then walked the road on the other side up Bourdette Draw. The road makes a right turn toward peak 5432 but I stayed in the creekbed and merged with the road again and to point 6032 and took the nasty jeep road to the start. 8 hours, 3000 gain, 14 miles. Mostly class 1 with a little class 2. No brush. Now that I know the ridge is easy, I would start low in Bourdette and try the jeep road that goes to peak 6630 then up to the 7800 line then down. This is wild country where nobody goes. I saw a 1916 BM near the start at 20967, 10397. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2024.
8. POTHOLES CANYON is what I call the long one at the west end of Cliff Ridge. It has a jeep trail on the rim. I took highway 40 to mp 164.2 and turned on easy 4wd and on across a wash. I went on nearly 3 miles on the Bourdette road to a road at N40 21025, W109 14899. I walked that into the mouth then some minor falls are easy to pass and it's easy going to el 6050 where it gets cluttered and no fun beyond there. I turned back and got on the high north bank at 21852, 12493 and merged with the rim and walked the jeep road back. A bike stashed at the last mile would help. 3 hours or so, 1000 easy gain. There is a lot of slickrock with potholes that hold water for weeks. The next big canyon to the south where the springs are is blocked by a 40 foot fall in a narrows near the mouth. Both springs were running on down across the road. Posted 2024.
9. GREEN RIVER RIM - there's a big sandstone block on the rim near the river bridge. It makes an easy loop. On the east side of the bridge a dirt road goes south into a canyon and up to point 5144. I parked before the point at N40 24356, W109 13483 and went up a gully there then to the right to get on game trails that lead to the rim. Then I walked the rim counterclockwise and came back to the road. 70 minutes, easy. Posted 2024.
10. PEAK 6480 is at the head of Bourdette Draw next to peak 6262. I did a loop from the north then down to the divide of Bourdette. I parked on graded county road 1550 in the south fork of Cub Creek and went up the rim there at N40 24810, W109 11528. I strolled up to a bad jeep road at the 5600 line. That ends at peak 5899 and skirted around to the right at the last contour line and walked the rim to a break in a cliff at 23893, 11296. Then I had a little mesa in the way so I walked along the right base to get past it then on to the summit. I found two ways down off the summit. One is what the GPS tracks shows, but I soon saw a better route by going down the SE drainage that can be seen on the topo. An easy route goes thru the cliff band at 22997, 11672 then I followed elk tracks down a ridge at 22952, 11602 and on to the divide. I didn't trust the red chasm so I walked the rim then dropped in and then I went up it and found it does go thru. So I should have dropped into it at the divide. No guts, no glory. I strolled on down canyon to the 4wd road that goes to 1550 where I had a bike reading 24124, 10343 and then coasted 1.2 miles back to the start. 5 hours, 1200 gain, nearly 7 miles. This is a wonderland of red. Posted 2024.
11. CUB CREEK SOUTH FORK RIM - the topo shows a road going up to the north rim. I walked that to get on the rim then strolled to peak 6704. A gap in the rim beyond there  would be a lot of work to cross but the remaining rim is not as good anyway. So I retraced to N40 24670, W109 09333 and dropped down to the lower cliff at 24612, 09308. I went down a class 3 crack there then moved left a few feet to the next ridge and it has a class 3 drop with some exposure. Both of those drops are 5 feet high. I hit bottom and strolled a red wash to the road then had .7 mile to the start. A bike would have saved me that last bit but I didn't know where I would end up. 4 hours, 1300 easy gain. This is one of the better rim walks of all time. Posted 2024.
12. DANIELS TRAIL can be used to make a loop over the Yampa Plateau but a couple of segments are faded. I parked at the Hog Canyon TH and walked that trail to an old road at N40 25458, W109 10241. I followed it to a trench at 25326, 09792 and crossed it there then on to a path at 25290, 09821 that goes left down to the creek. I went up the creek 120 feet then took a hard right up a path to get to the Daniels Trail. It's an old road that turns into a foot trail at el 6200 then at el 6400 the topo is all wrong. The real trail goes left then up to 25403, 07525. I couldn't tell where it goes but there is gully that must be crossed to get on he ridges that lead up to the rim of Cub Creek. Then it's easy on to BM 7185 where the topo is correct again and the trail is easy to see. It soon turns into a road and goes past a spring polluted by cattle. The road bends back to the left and up to the pleateau then roads on the topo can be followed close to Chew BM. I dropped down an easy ridge at 26441, 10424 el 7400 then 26305, 10427 el 7150. At 26157, 10554 el 6800 I had a deep canyon on my left and I followed the rim of it down and had a short walk to the start. 6 or 7 hours, 2500 gain, not steep. Some light brush is near the start. I put a track on peakbagger under Yampa Plateau. SHORT VERSION - just go as far as the south rim of Cub Creek no higher than 7000. Then walk the rim down to el 6100 of so and drop into the canyon on the left at some stairs reading 25408, 08627. Who built that? Indians? It would be a route for them to get on the plateau. From the stairs go left 300 feet then down and across to a draw that goes up to the Daniels Trail. It has a 7 foot climb that is nearly class 4, easy for two. At 25311, 08566, it's the only tricky move on the hike and can be inspected on the way in and a 30 line tied off there if need be. I was OK with it. If a 68 year old coot can do it, how hard can it be? That took 5 hours, nearly 2000 gain and I went to 7000. Posted 2024.
13. CUB CREEK GORGE - I returned to the Daniels Trail to get into the gorge near the springs. I veered off the trail into a trench at N40 25270. W109 09370 and went down it a few feet to get on the right bank of the creek. I walked it until it ended then crossed to the left bank and then popped out in a clearing at 25471, 09327. Then I had a faint trail on the left bank to the springs. The creekbed opens up there and is easy to walk to a main fork. The right fork is blocked by a 50 foot fall. I got on the bench between the forks and when that ended it got tedious so I turned back just short of the 5600 line. 4 hours and the only strain is a few steep banks. Brush is very light in the gorge. Posted 2024.
14. RED WASH drains along the west side of Splt Mtn. It's an easy stroll up then back on the west rim. The Sound Of Silence TH is along the paved road in out of Jensen. It goes up the wash but soon loops down to a campground on the river. I just stayed in the easy wash and off the banks until an elk trail on the left at N40 27250, W109 17820. It crosses to the right bank then fades and there are no more useful trails. I came to a trickle at 27848, 18977 and fresh elk tracks. That dried up in 150 feet. At el 5400 I took the right fork and it's easy to miss. At 29042, 19156 I took a left fork and stayed low in it to a sandy ridge that leads to the rim. The sand was mosltly firm. I then walked over peak 6166 and on down an elk trail where I had two rims to choose from. The inner rim is a disaster so I stayed on the trail over peak 6035 and on down the outer rim and along the right base of peak 5665 and on past peak 5295 then took a hard right to 26597, 17219. I dropped down a drainage there then just before a drop a trail is in view on the right at 26547, 17194 and it leads down to the start. 5 and a half hours, 400 noticeable gain, 12 miles. It's easy to come down the sandy rim but I wouldn't go up it. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 6166. Posted 2024.
15. DEL BENCHMARK 5759 has a jeep road most of the way. A good road goes in from the river bridge at Jensen then up the north ridge of the peak where it turns 4wd. It ends at about el 5600 then it's a short walk to the summit. I followed the road on toward the Daniels Ranch then took the highway on to Cub Creek South Fork and up that the Bourdette road and took that to highway 40. I was on my 125 but could have easily drove a jeep. I put a track on peakbagger. That's a good 4wd tour. Posted 2024.
16. SPLIT MOUNTAIN is a good one to do as a one way up the west rim then down the north. I went to a 4-way on the graded Island Park Rd at Blair Draw. I turned south on easy 4wd for nearly a mile and parked at N40 30026, W109 14169. I then rode my bike 5 miles to camp at the turnoff for the west ridge where the Island Park Rd tops out. The next morning I went a mile south on a 4wd road then to the west ridge at 29376, 17430 then on up to the BM then the summit. An old jeep road goes as far as 7200. I kept going north down the rim then at el 6600 or so I moved left to the next ridge at 29373, 14015 el 6550 then down to the flats and thru a saddle at 29873, 14120 to get to my cycle. 4 or 5 hours, nearly 2000 gain, all easy. No brush. This hike has as good a ponderosa pine forest as I have ever seen. A car and a bike is all that's needed Posted 2024.
17. EAST SPLIT MOUNTAIN el 7528 is a good loop up the rim of Horsetrail Canyon then back down canyon. The easy 4wd road that goes south from the Island Pard Rd then along the west side of the canyon ends in .7 mile at shady camps. I walked to a saddle at N40 29881, W109 14058 then to a trail at 29795, 14019 and then on to the rim and up it to the summit. I then walked to the rim at 28949, 13280 el 7400 then down to 29045, 13425 el 6950 and then to a slab at 29074, 13465 el 6800. I soon hit bottom then walked to a trail at 29519, 13721 el 5900 bypasses along the left side of falls and then retraced back. 4 hours and the main gain is the 2000 up the rim but that's not steep at all except for the last 1999 feet. Good clean forests. No cheatgrass. What was the trail built for? Posted 2024.
18. RAINBOW DRAW has good badlands and makes for an easy one way hike. I took the Island Park Rd to the easy 4wd road going up Wagon Road Bench. I rode my cycle up that and parked in 2 miles at the saddle north of peak 5888. I coasted back down on my bike for 4 miles to where the draw crosses the Island Park Rd. It took me 2 hours, 10 minutes to walk up the clean creekbed using the forks that took me to my cycle. I had about 300 noticeable gain but there would be no gain if going in reverse using an ebike to shuttle. A hiker with just a car and bike would have a 3 hour hike. I put a track on peakbagger under Wagon Road Bench. Posted 2024.
19. LIME BENCHMARK el 6001 sits on the east rim of Limekiln Draw overlooking a sea of red. I parked on a bend in the graded Island Park Rd and walked 600 feet to a faint road at N40 31567, W109 08422. I followed that to 31885, 08428 then dropped into the clean and easy creekbed at some cottonwoods. I followed the forks that lead along the west side of the peak then into the north saddle. I went up to the summit and then to loop back on the rim to the east I went back to the saddle and on to 34052, 08797 el 5800 where I dropped to a creekbed. I went up that and circled around on easy ground to get to the east side of the rim then got on top just in time to go over peak 6040+. It has the best view. I went on over peak 5956 then along the right side of peak 5862 to 33086, 07888 el 5720 and just kept going to merge onto the top of the ridge. A faint road soon appears and it goes to 31935, 08137 then I went to a trail at 31803, 08304 and on down to the start. 5 hours, 600 noticeable gain, 9 miles. I did this in shorts but gaiters would defend against cheatgrass in the first half mile. This is one of the great red hikes. I saw remains of 4 game animals. OTHER CANYONS - I returned and went up the canyon on the east side of Lime BM. I came to a thicket and used a sandy trail on the left bank to pass it. I went as far as the 5600 line then came back and took the fork heading to the 17 on the topo. That's the best fork. At the 5800 line I got on the east rim then headed for the canyon west of peak 5862. An entry point is on the south side at 33241, 08046 el 5600. That fork needs pants but I got thru in shorts. That took 4 hours, 15 minutes and the only strain is a few short sandy slopes.I saw remains of 3 game animals. This time I was carrying my 9mm derringer.  Posted 2024.
20. SQUAW HILL el 6265 is next to Hardscrabble Mtn. The Jones Hole Trail can be used for a loop. An easy 4wd road forks off the maintained Island Park Rd near the Ruple Ranch and goes up the west rim of Red Wash as the topo shows. I parked near point 5371 then walked to the end of the road at the base of peak 5548. An elk trail goes right around it reading N40 32086, W109 07265. I went on to 32318, 07254 then down thru a cliff at 32380, 07184 and down to the bottom of Red Wash. It had a tiny stream. I walked the left bank to the Jones Trail and followed it but I missed a fork near the peak. I cut thru a gap in trees at 33446, 05497 to get back on the trail. Then at el 5880 I left the trail and headed for the east saddle of the peak. I went up to the summit then back to the saddle then south down canyon where I saw 3 game animal carcasses in the creekbed. I got to Sage Creek and was blocked by the Mariana Trench. I went up the bank to an elk trail at 32750, 05670 to get across then had a major trail going up to the rim. I then walked up the rim to peak 5786 and walked the easy SW ridge at 32377, 06149 down to 31594, 06969 where I could cross the canyon to get back to the start. 5 and a half hours, 10 miles, and about 700 strenuous gain. No brush. Roads are ebikeable. Posted 2024.
21. DIAMOND MOUNTAIN el 7779 - 500 North leaves Vernal and goes paved to the top of the mountain. Then a graded road branches off and goes along the rim with a lot of camp spots. Just past Point BM the road turns to 4wd but so many loose rocks make it bad for two wheelers. Two easy 4wd roads come up from the Island Park Rd. One starts just inside the park boundary and the other comes up Blair Draw and it's the better one. A road branches off it and goes to Box Reservoir where it's a short hike up to Butte BM. I circled around the west side of it and had an easy grade. Posted 2024.
22. JONES HOLE - 500 North leaves Vernal and goes paved for 40 miles to a fish hatchery where there is a trail down canyon. In about 2 miles there is a bridge across the creek and then comes rock art. Just past that a sign points to Ely Creek Falls. It's 5 more minutes to the falls. That's a major creek in there with a lot of hikers. Posted 2024.
23. BUCKSKIN HILLS el 6855 - take 500 North out of Vernal to an easy 4wd road at N40 32236, W109 23793. Go 3 miles on it to point 6172 and park. Ebikes make all but the last half mile. Then it's an easy hike up to the summit. I went on to Green BM using a trail at 32284, 27433 then down the east ridge to the road. 2 hours, 1000 gain, clean juniper forest. I didn't see any pinyons. Posted 2024.
24. RED MOUNTAIN el 7798 is north of Vernal on 2500 West. The main attraction is walking down the rim which is easy using a short trail from the main road up the north ridge to the summit then down the rim to a second vehicle. I didn't have a shuttle so I walked the jeep road on the topo then came back down the rim. I came back to the jeep road at N40 33067, W109 34985 el 6150. That took nearly 5 hours, 9 miles with nearly 2000 gain. A shorter version would be to ride an ebike the first mile or so. The road turns bad at point 6891 and only rock crawlers drive beyond there. Another shorter option would be walk the road to el 7000 then back down the rim. A log cabin near the summit may have been built to accomodate loggers. There are lots of big pines and slickrock on the rim. Posted 2024.

Rangely, Colorado

Box Canyon

Peak 6975

Willow Creek 

Coal Oil Rim

Cabin ruins at Coal Oil Rim

Willow Creek

1. Rangely has a market and Dollar General. A lot of BLM land is near town with cell signal. Texas Beach is a shady camp area a few miles down river but no signal. It's not for big rigs but I saw big rigs at another spot down the road. Posted 2024.
2. PEAK 6052 is a good rim walk near county 1. I took county 1 to mp 6.6 and turned on county 96 then went half a mile and parked. I coasted back to 1 then on to mp 7 near point 5552 and started up the rim there. I stayed on the low rim then to N40 11379, W108 51288 where I stepped up a level then on to the summit. Then I went to the NW point at 11006, 51581 and went left down a game trail. 2 hours, easy gain, good juniper forest. Posted 2024.
3. SPOOKY MOUNTAIN, PEAK 6521 have roads most of the way up. Take county 1 to mp 6.6 and turn on county 96 then go nearly 6 miles to a 4-way where the road tops out. Left goes almost all the way to the summit of Spooky. Right goes to towers on peak 6521. The last mile or two of each might need 4wd. Take an ebike. Posted 2024.
4. COAL OIL RIM el 6021 is a good rim walk and loop ride on a two wheeler.  I took county 1 to mp 6.6 and turned on county 96 then on 3.1 miles to the 4wd road that goes to Nate Spring Reservoir which is BLM #1736. I parked where I could walk the rim directly out to point 6021. Cabin ruins are there at N40 08700, W108 49247. I walked the rim a mile and a half to the end at 08054, 47911 then retraced to point 6005 then headed back. 2 hours, easy, good juniper forest. I followed the road to a 4-way at Chase Draw then down that on #1737 and then right along the base a short way then on to Rangely and back on pavement to camp on county 96. That's about a 25 mile loop with half on pavement. CHASE DRAW - later I returned to where #1736 crosses the draw and walked up canyon then left in the fork that goes under peak 6008. At the 5660 line I came across several potholes that hold water for weeks. I was going to turn south to peak 6204 then down the rim, but that was before I saw how pleasant the canyons are. I stayed in the canyon to 09219, 46510 where I took a ridge up to the rim then on along the east side of peak 6287 and then to the north rim of the descent canyon at 09500, 45813. I walked it to 09491, 45519 then down to the creekbed and back. 3 hours, 300 noticeable gain and all easy. It's a perfect juniper forest. I did this in shorts. I'll return for the peak someday.  KENNEY RESERVOIR - from the 4-way in Chase Draw, BLM #1735 goes south a mile and a half to a fork. Left goes smooth for 2 miles to a shaded table on the shore. Right goes to the rim then down to the dam but is rough bedrock. A steep road connects the dam to the table but bad for cycles.  Posted 2024.
5. MELLEN HILL el 6350 has a good county road to a cell tower. County 98 leaves highway 64 at mp 7.6. I could have drove a car all but the last tenth mile. 98 goes on north to county 130 but is high clearance and ebikeable. But with an ebike I would start on 130 and make a counterclockwise loop of about 30 miles using 64 and county 1. Posted 2024.
6. DINOSAUR VISITOR CENTER LOOP RIDE-  I started at the visitor center and took the paved road up the mountain to the sign for county 16. I turned there and went along Wolf Creek for 16 miles to county 95 then down that to highway 40 and back to the start. That's 54 miles and county 95 is not good for low slung cars and good for nothing when wet. I put a track on peakbagger under Lone Mtn. Posted 2024
7. WILLOW CREEK is a major attraction in the WSA of the same name. A good route is a one way over Moose Head Mtn then down the creek. I left my bike at mp 10.5 on highway 40 near BM 5861. Then rode my cycle on 6 miles or so to the Dinosaur visitor center and turned up the mountain for 6 miles to BLM road #1520. It's a high clearance road for 3 miles to a gate el 8050. I walked from there and stayed left at the first fork then right at the next ones and for the final road I was reading N40 18547, W108 52960. I went on to the summit el 8495 then down to a faint road fork at el 8335 and took the low road thru point 8105. I wandered off the road on a cow trail but should have stayed on the road then down a ridge at 17699, 52413 and then it leveled off some and I moved left to 17601, 52269 and then hit bottom. I went down to the spring but it's below a double drop and I couldn't see it. I was blocked by a deep fork so I went up and crossed it at 17495, 52399. A trickle was there with mossy pools and water striders. I walked level to merge with the west rim then on down a gully at 16874, 52494 el 6950 then down the ridge to the flats. I crossed the small stream on an elk trail at 15986, 52568 then on out. Private land is in the lower canyon but there was no fence or signs and easy to skirt anyway. I went on to my bike and coasted a mile and a half to camp on county 134 and retrieved my cycle the next day. Nearly 6 hours, 10 miles, 700 gain but  nearly 300 of that could be avoided by skipping the spring. Brush is very light and not a factor with pants. Just walking the west rim all the way down might work but I couldn't tell if there was a way thru the rim at el 7200 but it seemed likely. No cattle in Willow for years. I put a track on peakbagger under the peak.  Posted 2024.
8. WILLOW CREEK EAST RIM - I went up the rim then down the rim of Red Wash. I rode my cycle to mp 12.3 on highway 40 and turned on a crude road. I went a fifth mile and parked at a sunny camp spot then rode my bike to mp 10.5 near BM 5861. Then I walked to an elk trail at N40 15168, W108 52463 and that took me to the rim. I went up and got on the best part of the rim at 16201, 52178 el 6700. I went on along the left side of peak 6958 then to the right side of peak 7102 where I found an old logging road at 16974, 51343. I walked it a short way to an area of trees cut by axe. I kept going to the rim of Red Wash and went up it on trails as far as a good view at 17912, 50970 el 7150. I could see that canyon is brushy. I retraced down the rim to the 6480 line then turned south to my cycle. 5 and a half hours, 9 miles, and 1500 gain, all easy. I wore shorts. It's a good pj forest and the one on the rim of Willow is as good as it gets. SHORT VERSION- go as far as the logging road and come back on that. It would be the same shuttle.WILLOW CREEK CENTER - I returned the next day to mp 10.5 and started out the same but went into the canyon not expecting to get far. I crossed the stream on a trail at 15962, 52574 and walked the left bank until it fizzled then crossed to the right bank. Then I crossed to the left bank at 16350, 52249 and moved far left against the wall. I dropped to the stream at 16640, 52150 and stayed low along it. At 17175, 52174 I came to a spring on the left bank. At the 6600 line I ran out of trail but could walk up the one inch deep stream to a dry fall of 100 feet or higher. The main spring is coming out of the base there, not at the top like the map shows. It took me 107 minutes to get there and about 3 miles. Some light brush. Posted 2024.  
9. BOX CANYON, PEAK 6975 - I made a loop over the peak then back on the rim of Box. Take highway 40 to mp 15.5 and turn on county 165 then go 1.3 miles to BLM land. I walked to N40 15885, W108 47487 then stayed low along the slope to a fence then cut over into Box Canyon. I went up that and took a faint road at 16231, 47403 that leads to an elk trail that goes over the low rim into Little Red Wash then down to a finger at 16283, 46482. I went 230 feet down that and then across to the far bank then downstream a little to get up onto the rim. I walked it to 16651, 45718 el 6550 then looked up at the rim and saw a gully with promise. It's only class 2 and then it's a stroll to the summit. The reg was soaked and needs a better jar. I went down the north side at 16982, 45374 but should have gone down a little more to the left on an elk route down a main ridge. All ridges go as there are no cliffs on that side. I hit bottom and got on a trail at 17313, 45392 and on to a wash at 17214, 45996 then to a canyon. I went down a draw there at 17273, 46258 and hit a 6 foot class 3 drop at the bottom then up the other side and followed the high ground to point 6761. I then detoured to a view of Box at 17469, 47270 el 6650. I came back up and walked the rim down to a class 2 break at 16601, 47645 el 6300 to get down then out. 6 hours, 13 minutes, and 10 miles. All the gain is mellow but for 500 feet. I could do this in shorts. No cattle for years. County 165 soon ends at private land. BOX CANYON - later I returned and went up canyon. No issues other than boulders here and there. At the first main fork I stayed right because left is choked. It got super easy and I came to some tall grass. I put on pants but that soon cleared up and I strolled on to the fork at el 6600. I went right 50 feet or so then up to the right and back to a bench at 18315, 46635 el 6750 then crossed a drainage at 18174, 46692 el 6700. I walked benches on to point 6761 then on down the rim to the class 2 break at 16601, 47645. On the way out I detoured up peak 6400. The drainage that leads east into the north saddle has a trail on the right side on the red soil.  The canyon loop takes nearly 5 hours, 8 miles and 300 or so noticeable gain.The peak side trip adds 40 minutes. I put a track on peakbagger under the peak. Posted 2024.