Grand Gulch Hikers

HIKES ON THIS BLOG ARE FOR EXPERIENCED HIKING FANATICS ONLY. INFO HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED. I posted a table of contents on the March 2025 page. All times listed are round trip. Any issues not mentioned such as brush, wading, tricky climbs etc usually means that they weren't an issue. Peakbagger is the main map app I use but Natural Atlas has a free version that shows more trails with mileages. "Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there".

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Eastern Uinta Mountains

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Nine Mile Canyon

Hunting Panel

Badland Cliffs

Horse Bench

Jack Creek

Trail Canyon

Currant Canyon

Birch Bottom Canyon

1. NINE MILE CANYON ROAD starts at a Chevron at the east end of Wellington. It goes paved for 47 miles to Cottonwood Canyon. Most of the rock art is signed. At mp 24 there is a campground and RV park. At mp 27.7 there is a picnic area with restroom. At mile 31.8 a maintained road goes 25 miles up Argyle Canyon to highway 191. I saw a good campsite on the creek where Jenson Canyon comes in. At mp 38.5 a maintained dirt road goes up Gate Canyon for 6 miles to a pass then it's paved on to Myton where there is gas and a Family Dollar. Dry Canyon is at mp 44 and has the best camping and there is a restroom at mp 44.1. At mp 45.1 a dirt road goes left to Franks Canyon. An unlocked gate says private but that's a bluff as it apparently does not apply to the road. Everyone drives thru to Franks then up that on a 4wd road to the good Wrinkles Rd. Posted 2025

2. BIRCH BOTTOM CANYON is the only pristine canyon I found this trip. I went up canyon and then back on the west rim. I turned off the Nine Mile road at mp 31.8 and followed the Argyle road for 9 miles to the canyon at N39 50956, W110 29884. I walked up canyon less than a mile to some tricky falls 4 or 5 feet high with a tiny stream. Easy for two but I barely got up those. I strolled on up to a fork that leads up to point 8024. A fall blocks it but can be passed on either side. I went up on the right reading 52193, 30031 and topped out on the rim south of point 8024. I walked the rim to 51726, 30144 el 8000 and stayed on the ridge center past point 7859 and down to the start. I could see that at the start. 3 hours, 600 noticeable gain. I put a track on peakbagger under Badlands BM. I could have gone on up to that on the rim and maybe the canyon. Posted 2025

3. PARLEY CANYON is one of the prettier canyons I've ever been in and has little cattle impact. I went up the fork east of point 7389 and came back on the rim over that point. I turned off the Nine Mile road at mp 31.8 and followed the Argyle road for 1.6 miles and turned on a high clearance road that goes nearly a mile up Parley. I walked up canyon keeping right at the first fork then left at the next fork reading N39 50216, W110 22466. That fork had an intermittent stream and then I came to a minor fall with a dripping spring. I filled up then went around it and on to the next fork. I stayed right to a game trail at 51125, 22824 on the left bank. I walked it back on the rim and across a wash to 50928, 23363 and it took me up to the high rim. It seemed to be heading into the next fork so I left it and walked the high ground past point 7389 and on to a point that has a route down on the left side and kept going on the rim past ponderosa pines. Where the rim ended I bent right down to 49808, 22907 el 6950 and on down to a gully near bottom at 49875, 22954 and then walked that fork back out. Nearly 4 hours with hardly even 200 noticeable gain. Posted 2025

4. WOOD CANYON has roads up to both rims recently bladed by a power company. I turned off the Nine Mile road at mp 31.8 and followed the Argyle road for 4 miles and then turned on a good road up Wood. The road forks at a spring and each road is easy 4wd up to the rim. The left one goes up to ponderosa pines but an eyesore strip was cut to accomodate power lilnes. The other road goes up to the east rim and on across upper Parley Canyon. Good cycle ride here but that's about it. Posted 2025

5. TRAIL CANYON, CURRANT CANYON - I did these as a loop. At mp 33.7 there is a crude road going up Trail for a quarter mile to a gate. I left a bike there then went to mp 36.1 and walked up Currant. At the mouth just past a fence there are petroglyphs on the right. A half mile past that there are more on an island. I went on up canyon then left at the first main fork and stayed in the main wash to a fork at N39 50901, W110 18825 el 6650. I went left there then exited on the left at 51307, 19298 to get on a road. I walked it past point 7104 then just before a gas well I went left on a road running down a draw. Then at 50792, 20518 I went down a stairway to get down into Trail. I strolled on down smooth gravel to my bike. 5 hours, 10 miles and 100 feet of strenuous gain. It's a long easy stroll. The mouths of these canyons are private but not posted. Posted 2025

6. GATES CANYON is at mp 38.5. I camped at a gravel parking area there. A maintained road goes up canyon and on 33 miles to Myton and the last 26 miles is paved. At mile 4 there is a good road going left for 8 miles to a gas well on the rim of Trail Canyon. Just before the well, there is an easy 4wd road going left down a draw and on 4 miles to the rim of Parley Canyon. It's a short walk to peak 7521 at N39 50477, W110 21809 for a good view. Back on the Gates road, in less than a mile there is a sign for the Wrinkles Road. It says 24 miles to the boat launch on the river. I could have drove a car the whole way. Along the way there is road at 50402, 01455 that goes a bit over a mile to a point on the east rim of Bulls. The main road goes on past a canyon near point 5588 that has a stock trail down it but there is a big drop near the mouth that stops travel. I saw an elk below it. The main road goes on to 50079, 58011 where a road goes half a mile to point 5567 with a good view of lower Nine Miles Creek. I went on to the river and merged with another good road that goes to Myton. Then I went back to the Franks Canyon road at 50793, 05960. It goes down to Nine Mile Creek then a good road goes on to pavement and back to Gates. Posted 2025

7. BLIND CANYON - I went up that and back in Daddy Canyon. I parked at Daddy at mp 44.1 then rode my bike to Blind at mp 41.7. I went up it to a ridge at N39 49165, W110 11980 and then up it to a cliff. I stayed right around that then came back to center and then straight up thru a crack in the upper cliff. I saw I could have gone left a few feet of that crack for a better route. I walked to some rock piles at 48786, 11670. I didn't see any reason paleface would build those. I resumed on the rim to Nine BM at 47843, 11684. The rim is so good that I walked it out to the point on the rim of Daddy. I dropped down at 47829, 10733 then down to the right to a forested ridge. I didn't trust that so I went on to 47750, 10583 el 6400 and then down a drainage to bottom and out. Nearly 5 hours, 9 miles with 500 noticeable gain for the hiking part. Good forest on the rim. Posted 2025

8. PRICKLY PEAR CANYON - I went up canyon and back on the south rim. I took a dirt road at mp 41.7 for a mile to the first fork on the right. I walked it 2 miles mostly on smooth gravel to a pipe spring at 47226, 13680 and filled up. I went on to an easy ridge at 46992, 14112 then up to a gas well. I went left under it to get on the high ridge then on past point 7067 to 46674, 13594 el 7000 where I turned NE down the main ridge. At 46916, 12803 el 6450 I dropped down to the right then at 46904, 12696 I had a safe slope down which I could see at the start. 3 hours with 400 noticeable gain. Great forest in the canyon and ridges. No cattle for years but that might not last. The second fork is just a few feet up the road. I walked it to a 20 foot fall and passed that on the right and passed a large alcove then turned back at the main fork near the 6520 line. A good loop would be to go up the first fork and down the second. I could see that a stray cow made it down from the high rim to the fall years ago. DRY CANYON RIM - the road goes on up steep to the top then take the second road on the left to get out to the rim on a good road. A crude road goes on a bit more then it's a good rim walk out to a mesa el 7047 at the end of the rim. At the last saddle there is a way down left of center then for the last cliff there is a passage at 45871, 11308. A log fence had been set up to trap animals on the mesa. Ranchers wouldn't do that. Indians? I clrcled the mesa in a perfect pj forest and returned. 2 hours, 15 minutes with 800 gain due to all the dips in the rim. That mesa should remain pristine forever. The main road goes on to Harmon Canyon then down that to mp 33.7. Posted 2025

9. DEVILS CANYON, DADDY CANYON - these two can be combined as a loop. At mp 45.1 a dirt road branches off for nearly 3 miles to a gate at Devils. I parked there then rode my bike back to Daddy at mp 44.1. I strolled up it to a trail at N39 48987, W110 10534 that took me up to the rim at peak 6563. I then went straight down a fork of Devils and came to huge boulders. I stayed high left on a faint trail to get past those then bank to bank on game trails. The trails peter out at 48767, 08580 then I had to drop to the creekbed and walk it on down. 4 hours, 9 miles and 300 noticeable gain for the hike part. Easy hike and ride. Posted 2025

10. COTTONWOOD CANYON STOCK TRAIL - this likely was used to get up to Bruin Point before roads made it easy. At the end of pavement in the canyon there is a fork on the right and the trail can be seen on the left slope. It took me an hour walking smooth gravel to get to the 6200 line in the right fork. I saw no trail in that fork but I could have gone on to Flat Iron Mesa. No doubt the Indians used this route. Posted 2025

11. JACK CREEK - a route goes down near point 6801 then it's easy to the river. From the end of pavement in Ninemile just keep going up Cottonwood to a fork and go left up to the highest rim then on to a T at N39 43593, W110 07942. Go right a bit over 3 miles to 43241, 05091 and descend a steep slope then walk down to a main fork then to a second fork where road remnants run on the left bank then to the right bank and so on. At 42636, 02788 there is a trail on the right bank then at around el 5100 there is a WSA sign that likely was as far as the road went. At 42814, 00641 there is a huge overhang and the right bank works from there on to the river. 8 hours, 16 miles and the only strain is the 700 foot climb back up to the rim. That took me half an hour. But if a 70 year old can do it, how hard can it be? No water until the river. It's maintained roads all the way but steep. There is a good road around to peak 7003 as the topo shows with some camp spots on the rim there. The peak can be climbed via a break at 43262, 03791. INDIAN SPRING is in the main arm of the canyon. Cattle have polluted it but there is another spring a tenth mile down canyon in a gully at 41822, 08862. I parked on the road west of it. With tubing I could draw water before cattle can get at it. The canyon is dry below the springs and cattle can't go down it. I walked it to a narrows at the 6200 line.It looked like it has a seasonal stream. It soon opens up and I turned back. The road goes on to Cedar Ridge and the BLM has a locked gate at the 7800 line. Posted 2025

12. HORSE BENCH forms the south rim of lower Nine Mile Canyon. The BLM has gated it at point 7142. Only horse, foot and bike travel allowed beyond there. A gas well maintenance man is allowed to drive it and said the gate has been ripped out 3 times in his 8 years working there. Cameras have been installed. He has a 2 and a half hour drive to work from Vernal. His deepest well is 14000 feet. Posted 2025

13. FLAT IRON MESA el 7400+ has a maintained road to it. From the end of pavement in Cottonwood Canyon just keep going until the road goes up the right rim and it will go on to the mesa. An easy 4wd road continues along the left side of the mesa and a game trail goes up the west point. The road goes on and then I walked to N39 44971, W110 09805 where I could see the rim route out to mesa 6871 then to point 6764. That's the best part. A cliff along the way blocks horses. I spent 2 and a half hours out there. It's one of the greatest rim walks. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2025

14. BRUIN POINT - a loop ride can be done up Dry Canyon and down Cottonwood Canyon. The best road into Dry starts at mp 44 and goes up to a main fork with a sign pointing to the right for Stone Cabin Draw and says it's gated in 4 miles. But the road in Dry goes on up to a main fork at N39 38633, W110 20403 el 10100. Right goes to Bruin, left goes back down thru Cottonwood back to pavement. Upper Dry had a stream and one crossed the road at 40106, 21343 and there was no more. These roads are easy 4wd and good for two wheelers. The one in Dry had less erosion. It's 40 miles of dirt and 3 miles of pavement. No cattle in the canyons. Dry would be the better one to ride a bike in. Posted 2025

15. PETES CANYON is a one way hike too easy to pass up. I parked my camper at mp 38.5 and rode my cycle 4 miles up Gate Canyon and took the first left for 2 miles on a decent road. I started down a wash at N39 51033, W110 16107 and soon came to a rim. I went left a few feet to get down then on to the main canyon. Soon I came to a dripping spring under a cliff then strolled on smooth gravel to mp 38. As the cottonwoods came into view near the mouth I saw two petroglyphs on the left wall. 2 hours for the hiking part. I retrieved my cycle as was I heading for Myton anyway. Posted 2025

16. BULLS CANYON is along the Wrinkles Road. At N39 50799, W110 03073 I was able to ride my cycle 2 and a half miles down firm gravel to a fence at private land. I made a U-turn and went up the first side canyon on the east side. There is a game trail at 49803, 01856 that goes up to the next level then a trail runs along the 5400 line out to a point over Nine Mile Creek. I walked the rim and got into the next canyon to the east but was blocked by a 20 foot drop in it. Along the rim there is a 1909 marker. Posted 2025

17. BADLANDS BENCHMARK el 9317 is way out on the high rim in Ashley NF. I took the road running the rim from point 7309 where the Gate Canyon road tops out. It's a good road to a gate at the forest boundary where I turned right on a lesser road that took me down to the Five Mile Canyon road. I stayed left at forks to get back on the rim and followed it to the BM. It's 23 miles from point 7309 and a mile of it is 4wd, the worst being a steep hill. Easy for jeeps. All good for cycles too but I wouldn't ride a heavy one. I was following signs for route 1 the whole way.Good camping on the rim with a Verizon signal and no cattle for years. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2025

18. BAD BENCHMARK el 7088 sits atop the Bad Lands Cliffs. I used the graded road that connects Myton to the Sand Wash boat launch. At N39 52394, W110 01749 I turned off on a road running south of Twin Knolls. I stayed right at forks on easy 4wd to get to the rim then the road fades at peak 6810. It's an easy stroll on the rim to the summit at 52280, 05646. My cycle broke down near the start so I just kept going over peak 7211 and on to my camper at Gate Canyon. Posted 2025

19. PEAK 7290 is the last thing to do along the paved road to Myton. It's a short walk up but then the long north ridge makes a good descent route in a clean forest. I parked on the paved road at N39 58028, W110 10706 then rode my cycle 3 and a half miles uphill and then walked across a trench at 55839, 13250 to get on a road that goes part way up the peak. At the summit I dropped down a crack at 54976, 12740 to get on the main ridge and walked it over peak 7101 and then on to 56859, 11282. I hit the last leg at 57243, 11035 and then down to my truck. 3 hours, 1000 gain, rarely steep. Posted 2025

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Mexican Mountain Wilderness

Ruins at Shadscale Mesa

1. COTTONWOOD WASH ROAD - this forms the east boundary of the wilderness. The best way in is the Smith Camp Rd that leaves highway 191 south of Seleratus BM. It's a graded road to point 4418 where another graded road goes north to the Cottonwood road and a car might make it the whole way. The Cottonwood road is easy 4wd because of sand and chalk dust. Going south is a dead end and going north leads to the graded Green River Cut Off Rd. Posted 2025

2. COTTONWOOD WASH NORTH RIM - I was able to get to Horse Heaven walking the rim and some forks thru point 6184 then came back on the next rim to the north. There is a parking area at the mouth for the rock art hikers. I just went up the rim to the first fork cutting thru. I went down there but hit a drop at the bottom. I came back up and looked at a route at N39 05179, W110 27514 that would work if I had a gator hook and 20 feet of line. There is one more just past that that might go but I stayed on the rim past point 5318 to 05839, 28221 then dropped down at some potholes with water. I walked that fork along the north side of point 5715 to a narrows blocked by falls just before the 5600 line. I came back to a gap east of point 5715 and went thru to the next fork then up that a short way to a minor class 3 fall, the hardest thing on this hike. I went up OK but easier for two and likely bypassable anyway. I kept going up the easy canyon to 05731, 29043 where a sheep route goes up the rim. I went on up to a neck at 05737, 29287 and on up the rim past peak 6015 then just past point 6184 there is a saddle where I thought I was toast. But straight across the saddle is a class 2 crack where sheep go up. Then all I had to do was skirt around the head of the forks then down the rim to past point 6015 and down to a rim at 06186, 29163 el 5850. I walked the rim down to a drainage at 05935, 27992 which comes back to the rim at some potholes with water. I needed that so I filled up. I kept going down toward point 4925 and hit a trail there at 05460, 26516 that took me down a canyon and to the road with a short walk back to the start. That took me 9 hours, 15 miles with nearly 2000 gain. Rarely steep. This could be shortened a lot by heading directly up to point 5318 on the rim and also skipping the side trip to the narrows. Posted 2025

3. COTTONWOOD WASH SOUTH RIM - there are ways up the rim and over to the rim of Spring Canyon. One way is to start at the mouth and go up a trail at N39 04758, W110 26018. It goes along the left side of a drainage and finally fades then it's easy on up the ridges. The second way is to go up Cottonwood to a class 3 route at 04694, 27037. It goes up to the left to the next level then it's easy to 04565, 27234 then it's a straight shot up the drainage to the rim. I then walked up the rim to 04151, 27483 to get down a cliff and on down to Nates Canyon. Going up canyon are cottonwoods and potholes, some had water. I came to a minor fall and past that it's easy to go to the rim of Spring Canyon. Someone glued a dirt bike ornament on the rim at 03525, 28578 just east of point 5950. I then went NE down a fork that leads to the big drop in Nates. At a minor drop I went left to 03879, 27613 to get down then on to the drop. There I went north up a drainage that shows green on the topo reading 03949, 27284. I walked that a third mile to a large cairn and exited there and leveled off then made a hard right to 04339, 26910 to get on the descent ridge. I had a deep canyon on my left and just followed it down to the start. 5 hours, 8 miles with 1600 gain.

4. POINT 5948 is on the rim east of the Lower Black Box. The road down Tidwell Draw is easy 4wd. I parked and walked to a saddle south of point 4290 at N38 58112, W110 23703 then on up a ridge at 58146, 23962. I dropped off the rim at 58221, 24609 el 4800 and down into a canyon on the right. It has another little rim and the last spot to drop down it is at 58251, 24835 then it's a short walk to the main rim of the river. The rim is lined with domes so I went right around them into a drainage at 58248, 24820 then up that to 58525, 25072 and then to 58678, 25366 where I dropped into another drainage. I went on to 58804, 25583 then to smooth rock at 58949, 25759. There I just followed the forks that lead to the rim north of peak 6001. Along the way are potholes with 2 feet of water that day at 59177, 26241. At the rim I just walked it to 58938, 27190 and crossed a drainage to get to the summit. No sign of humanity there. 6 hours, 10 miles with 2200 gain. 200 of that is on the return. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 6001. Posted 2025.

5. SMITH CAMP LOOP - a trail goes to the rim from the camp then it's easy to loop north back. The camp is at the 4-way at BM 4548 on the Cottonwood Wash Rd. First I stashed a bike 1.2 miles north at a fork near BM 4606 on the Cottonwood road then came back to the 4-way and turned west to the camp. A trail goes up canyon on the left bank and will bend south. I got off there to smooth rock at N39 01634, W110 24787 then up to a trail at 01618, 25002. It goes on to 01608, 25659 then in another fifth mile it bends left to the rim. I could see that I could walk the rim south to a point at the 5600 line. But I walked north on the rim until domes got in the way. But there are obvious passages to the right of the domes. I went on to 02214, 26300 and turned right down a canyon. At a drop, I cut over the left bank to 02484, 25928 and dropped down. At the next drop I bypassed on the left then up a ramp at 02734, 25702 to get on the rim. I went on to 02801, 25573 then walked down the rim staying with the canyon on my right. Nearly 4 hours with 1000 easy gain. Cars might make it to the camp from the south or at least get close enough to ebike it. SOUTH LOOP - I returned later and took the same route to the rim but then went south to the point at the 5600 line, north of point 5370. Then I went to a rim at 01114, 25788 and then to 01083, 25452. At 01036, 25212 I went south across a wash then down to the starting trail at 01108, 24660. It took me north back to the start. 3 hours, 1200 gain, all easy. Posted 2025

6. PEAK 5035 is east of Cottonwood Wash. The colorful east canyons are the main attraction. I took the graded road along Cottonwood Wash and turned north on the road going past Trail Spring. I had 3 miles of easy 4wd and ebikeable to a fence. I parked there and walked to a canyon at N34 04022, W110 20637. I went up that to a fork at 04378, 21371 and then up the ridge between the forks to point 4730 and on to the summit. There are ways to drop south off the summit, the easiest being by way of the east saddle and then down canyon and past a fence at the mouth. I left the wash and thru a saddle on the left at 03579, 20734 and headed back. 2 and a half hours with 400 noticeable gain. Posted 2025

7. JOE HOLE WASH is SE of Cedar Mountain running parallel to the main road. A one way hike is too easy to pass up. I parked at a crook in the road east of BM 5473 then rode 3 miles west to the road turning south to Lews Hole. That's a minor drop with a pothole. A trail goes along the right rim for a tenth mile then drops down at a fence. I strolled on down canyon and then for the last third mile turned north up a draw to get to my truck. 100 minutes, 4 and a half miles. Cattle impact is light. Posted 2025

8. UPPER COTTONWOOD WASH - a sheep trail goes out of Big Hole Wash and over into the main fork of Cottonwood. The Big Flat Rd turns to 4wd at peak 6215 and then shortly comes a fork. Go left for 2/3 mile to a big fall. A mtn bike would work on that road. Walk to the trail at N39 05959, W110 31704. It goes up onto a point then go another tenth mile up the point then left up a draw to a rim then to 05944, 31437. Drop down there then thru a gap to 05923, 31248 where it's easy to drop into Cottonwood. At the 6040 line there is a drop, the first of many. I just walked level to the right and dropped to a flat and walked a sheep trail at that level to a 1933 marker at 05744, 30732 el 6000. I went on a bit more to a point then turned back. I spent less than 3 hours. Easy hike. It looks likely that the hike could be extended to Moonshine Waterhole for a loop. Posted 2025

9. MOONSHINE WATERHOLE - it's a one hour hike to that but I kept going down the rim then back on the rim of Nates Canyon. I parked at the end of the jeep road in Box Flat and walked the easy ground around to Moonshine then walked the north rim down to N39 04667, W110 28938 on the south side of peak 5995 where I could walk down to the creekbed. I went down to the big drop passing cottonwoods and more waterholes, one as big as Moonshine. Then I came back and up a ridge at 04626, 28627 to get on the rim of Nates. I walked on up along the south side of Nates BM. A slope there at 04138, 31510 goes up and around to the north side of the summit block where I chickened out on a crumbly class 3 step about 8 feet high. It's best to have 2 people and a hand line. I walked on around the peak back to the start on a hiker trail. 6 hours, 20 minutes, and 10.7 miles with 1800 gain. Rarely steep. I put a track on peakbagger. There appears to be a stock trail to Moonshine that starts near the end of the road and goes thru Jackass Flat but no cattle for decades. Posted 2025

10. UPPER SPRING CANYON - for this I started at the end of the road in Box Flat and walked past Nates BM to a gully SE of peak 6702 at N39 03717, W110 31541. I went down that to bottom and walked downstream to the big drop with many deep potholes along the way and cottonwoods. At the drop, I went left on the rim a few feet then up to smooth rock at 03333, 29959 el 6000. I walked upstream along the 6000 line for a tenth mile then up a drainage to the rim then walked it back. 5 hours and 1500 gain. The only steep gain is the 400 at the exit gully. Nothing harder than class 2. Posted 2025

11. HORSE HEAVEN JEEP ROAD - this starts on the Cottonwood Wash Rd just north of BM 5073. It goes up to el 6200 on the rim of the north fork of Cottonwood Wash and soon ends. No tricky spots on the road. Posted 2025

12. THE SKYWALK is what I call the skinniest of ridges on the south rim of Pine Canyon north of peak 6630. The 4wd road in from the Box Flat Rd starts at Dry Pond and goes west for nearly 5 miles to a rock art site at peak 6632. There's only one main road to follow and it circles west of peak 6522. Just before the end there is a gully at N39 06022, W110 37992 where I went up and on to 05607, 38017 to get up to the last level then on to the ridge. I walked it out and back then on to the ridge running NW from peak 6645. I could see the canyon on the north side of it was passable so I dropped in at 05925, 38170 and on down to a drop. There I stayed on the right bank around a corner then walked a rim to 06702, 38555 where I could walk up along the west side of peak 6495 to get on the high rim then out to point 6485. I went back around the north side of peak 6495 to get back to Prickly Pear Flat then headed down a canyon at 06295, 37812 to get back to the start. 6 hours and 10.3 miles. Rarely steep. This is one of the great rim hikes of all time. No sign of humanity on those rims but for one cairn. I could see that point 6540 is hopeless. There are ponderosa pines in the bottoms west of peak 6765. Posted 2025

13. GRADE BENCHMARK el 5510 has an easy east slope. Turn off highway 191 at about mp 289.9 and go in on easy 4wd and stay left at main forks to get to the road going up Lost Spring Wash. That leads to the east slope then just pick a route up. I went up at N39 06874, W110 23863 then from the summit I went north across a drainage then down the rim of it to 07143, 24703 where I could get thru a cliff then weaved on down to the road. 2 hours, 800 gain, all easy and very pleasant terrain in a juniper forest. I wouldn't reverse this loop as the downhill leg is softer and steeper. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2025

14. SHADSCALE MESA is along the river just south of I-70. It's a short hike to the high point but a traverse is a lot more interesting. There is a low budget interchange on I-70 at mp 147. There is an underpass and gates on both sides of the highway. A half mile south on a crude dirt road there is a sign to lock a bike to. Then drive to mp 156.4 on highway 24 and turn and park at N38 52287, W110 23158 where a steep road goes up the mesa. Walk the road up then walk the rim to a canyon at 52928, 25123 and go up and over the high point. Then keep going on the rim to 54736, 4977 where a sheep trail goes down to a saddle and follows an ancient road down to the flats where the sign is. It took me an hour to pedal my bike around to the south side where the hike starts and there is a paved shoulder the whole way. The hike takes 3 or 4 hours, easy. I put a track on peakbagger. LITTLE SHADSCALE is what I call the small mesa to the south. I parked at a sand slide at the south end next to the pavement. Then I walked north on the road for a quarter mile then west up a valley to a canyon at 51541, 23745. I went up that to the top then north to the block that looks to be the high point. I went left around it and saw a possible route up but would have some tricky walking above a cliff. So I put it off until I can bring a friend and let them go first. I walked the mesa to the south end at 51261, 22910 and down the slide to the start. 2 and a half hours, easy. No cattle. Posted 2025

15. BENTONITE HILLS - the best hike in bentonite I ever took is in the area south of I-70 and east of highway 24. Turn off 24 at mp 155.9 and go straight thru a 4-way then stay left at main forks to a wash at N38 50989, W110 19764. Go 3/4 mile up that then walk the main wash to 51027, 18831 where it bends right then on to a washed out road at 50956, 18464. That goes up to the rim then go east over mesa 4606 then down to a lower rim and drop off it at 51201, 17058 and down to the flats. Go on to 50812, 17248 then thru a gap at 50364, 18442 then walk most directly back to the start. 3 or 4 hours, easy. All roads easy 4wd. Ebikes make all but the last 3/4 mile of the 4 miles of dirt roads. Posted 2025

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Arizona

Eagletail Mtns
Gibraltar Mtn Wilderness 2012
Harcuvar Mtns 2012
KOFA 2011
Kofa Indian Trails 2020
Lake Havasu City 2023
Little Horn Mtns 2012
Little Picacho Wilderness 2022
Mount Nutt Wilderness 2011
Muggins Mtns, Gila Mtns 2017
Oatman Wildflowers 2017
Oatman Poppies 2023
New Water Mtns 2012
Plomosa Mtns 2013
Quartzsite 2017
Saddle Mtn 2012
Trigo Mtns 2019
Warm Springs Wilderness 2018

California

Anza Borrego Indian Trails 2025
Anza Borrego State Park 2016
Avawatz Mtns 2020
Big Maria Mtns 2018
Blythe
Cargo Muchacho Mtns 2017
Carson Iceberg Wilderness 2019
Central Sierra Peaks 2012
Chuckwalla Mtns 2012
Clipper Mtns 2016
Coyote Mtns Indian Trails 2024
Dead Mtns 2018
Death Valley, east side 2018
2005 Death Valley, Utah Flowers 2019
Desolation Wilderness 2011
Granite Chief Wilderness 2011
Indian Pass Wilderness 2017
Joshua Tree South 2025
Kelso Dunes Wilderness 2022
Kingson Range 2019
Mammoth Lakes 2019
McCoy Mtns 2019
Mecca Hills, Joshua Tree 2024
Mopah Spring Indian Trails 2019
Mopah Range, Turtle 2015
Mopah Range Flowers 2019
Needles Flower Show 2020
Nopah Range 2017
North Turtle Mountains Indian trails 2019
Old Woman Mtns 2017
Palen McCoy Wilderness 2021
Palo Verde Mtns 2017
Pinto Mtns 2024
Piute Mtns 2017
Resting Spring Range 2017
Riverside Mtns 2016
Sacramento Mtns 2017
Saline Valley 2011
Sierra Buttes 2011
Silurian Hills 2016
Soda Mtns 2024
Stepladder Mtns, Chemehuevi 2020
Sweetwater Mtns 2019
Tecopa & Amargosa Canyon Indian Trails 2017
Tecopa Wildflowers 2024
Trilobite Wilderness, Bristol Mtns 2017
Turtle Mtns Indian Trail Backpack 2019
Warner Mtns 2011
Whipple Mtns 2015
White Mtns 2013

Colorado

Idaho

Montana

New Mexico

Nevada

Anchorite Hills, Excelsior Mtns 2020
Arc Dome Wilderness 2020
Arrow Canyon Range 2017
Austin, Nevada 2020
Charleston Peak Wilderness 2017
Currant Mtn Wilderness 2011
Desatoya Mtns 2020
Desert NWR 2015
Devils Hole Hills 2018
East Range 2019
Ely and Eureka 2011
Fortification Range 2016
Hawthorne 2013
Golden Gate Range 2019
Granite Range 2014
Hot Creek Range 2018
Humboldt Range 2019
Independence Mtns 2015
Jackson Mtns 2014
Jarbidge Wilderness 2017
Lunar Crater Peaks 2018
McKinney Mtns, Monitor Range 2018
Meadow Valley Mtns 2024
Mormon Mtns 2017
Mount Moriah Area 2011
Northeast Nevada Peaks 2015
Northwest Nevada
Pahranagat Valley 2015
Pahrump and Beatty
Pinon, Whistler, Sulphur Spring Ranges 2018
Quinn Canyon Range, Grant Range
Reveille Range 2019
Santa Rosa Range 2014
Schell Creek Range 2015
Seaman Range 2015
Shoshone Mtns 2011
Sheldon NWR 2014
Silver Peak Range 2013
Snake Mtns, Jarbidge Wilderness SE 2018
Southeast Nevada Peaks 2015
Stillwater Range 2019
Stillwater Range, east side 2020
Sylvania Mtns 2020
Toiyabe Range
Trinity, Seven Troughs Ranges 2019
West Humboldt Range 2019
West Nevada Peaks 2012
White Mtns 2013
White Mtns South 2019
Worthington Mtns, Tempahute Range 2017

Oregon

Gearhart Mtn Area 2014
South Sister Area 2014

Utah

Washington

Wyoming

Encampment 2024

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Indian Trails of Anza-Borrego

The route down the east ridge of Pyramid Peak

Travertine Palms

Trail high up at Travertine Palms Wash

Rocks BM trail with peculiar rock piles

Palm near Rocks BM

The NE corner of the park has a lot of trails and nobody goes in there but for a few hiking to the benchmarks. Nearly every bench has a trail making for endless loop possibilities.

WONDERSTONE WASH LOOP - a one way hike can be done up Travertine Palms Wash then over into Wonderstone. Take highway 86 to Brawley Rd and drive to a gravel plant. Go south along it on an easy 4wd power road for nearly a mile and leave a vehicle. Then take the highway to 86th Ave and go west on good dirt to a gate. There is a large pullout just before the gate. Walk south a few feet to a main wash. That works for a fifth mile then I had to get on the left bank and head for N33 24977, W116 05112. I walked along a wash then in it and on to a trail at 24275, 05701 that goes thru the palms then up the right bank into a saddle on the rim of another wash. I got on the left bank of a wash at 23973, 06032 and went up it a tenth mile and stepped up to a higher level and kept walking the edge of the wash to the end at the 940 line. I went straight down a slope to the wash then up thru a narrows and picked up the trail on the left at 22759, 06994 el 1080. It goes up on top of a bench then on up canyon and fades where the bench ends and a ridge starts. But the route most likely continues up the ridge which I went up almost to el 1800 then leveled off to the right to get on the divide. I had a trail again that skirts bumps and along the north side of peak 2052 and then at 21528, 08011 el 2000 it goes into a saddle. I leveled off there but should have gone higher because I didn't find the trail again until 21477, 08225 el 2100 and lost it again but found it at 21376, 08402 el 2200. Now I had to cross a wash to get on a ridge to the rim of Wonderstone. I got to the rim at 21051, 08217 el 1900 and saw no way down so I walked the rim on a trail for a third mile and saw a way down then walked the wash past peak 649 and got up on the rim at the 460 line. I walked pavement to 21351, 04225 and stayed on the high ground but vehicle damage would make me scout another route next time. I followed the high ground to the flats then on to my cycle. 8 and a half hours, nearly 15 miles with about 1000 gain that requires any effort. It would take 9 hours with just cars for the shuttle. I put a track on peakbagger under Abe BM. Just going to the palms and back would be a 3 hour hike. I saw no hiker tracks there. Posted 2025
HOT BENCHMARK LOOP - Take highway 86 to mp 60 and turn east on Treadwell road to get under the highway to a power road as shown on the topo. That goes less than a mile to Big Wash then drive up that to the trail at N33 19336, W116 01558. That soon comes to a fork where I stayed left to a gully where the trail tops out at 19649, 01759. Then on to 19455, 05324 and then 19996, 01867. In another 200 feet the trail forks. I went left past a cleared circle then to 20111, 01993 and in another half mile left the trail and went left at 20359, 02418. I followed the high ground to 19932, 03202 where I crossed a deep wash then on toward Hot BM. I hit the rim just past the BM and came back to it then followed a trail down the rim and into Big Wash and back to the start. 3 and a half hours, 7 miles with hardly any strenuous gain. I put a track on peakbagger under the BM. All roads are easy 4wd. Posted 2025
BIG WASH TRAIL - this one runs along the rim thru Cool BM and Hot BM. I went up Arroyo Salada over into Big Wash then down to highway 86. Take highway 86 to an exit at mp 61.1. Parking there should work but who knows if vandals come along, so I went south on the frontage road for a fifth mile to Gravel Wash at BM -87 . Cycles can go a fifth mile up that. I left my cycle there then drove 15 miles to mp 35.5 on S22 and strolled up Arroyon Salada to the saddle el 2000 at the end. Then it's best to walk the left rim down the other side to Big Wash then down to the 1180 line then exit left up to the bank. Walk the bank to the trail at N33 19116, W116 06173 then on past Cool BM then comes a dangerous gap. The sissy route is to go left on a trail at 19468, 05413 and down a point to the wash. Walk that to the first right bend then back up to the rim and on past Hot BM then take a left on a faint trail at 19566, 03662 and walk a bench to 19652, 02923 then left down a gully to the wash. Walk that then exit at 19930, 01593 to get to the highway. This hike takes nearly 6 hours, nearly 12 miles. Noticeable gain is about 400. If using an ebike for the shuttle there is a paved shoulder except on S22 from 86 to the park entrance. Sunrise Drive is a shortcut in town. I put a track on peakbagger under Cool BM. I found out later that I could have left the lower vehicle at the parking spot for the Slip BM loop. Posted 2025.
BIG WASH SOUTH RIM - for this one I walked up canyon then back on a trail on the south rim. Take highway 86 to mp 60 and turn east on Treadwell road to get under the highway to a power road as shown on the topo. That goes less than a mile to Big Wash then drive 2 miles up that to a main fork. Vehicles go left but park there and walk the right fork. It had zero tracks. Soon there is no main wash so I just guessed at the channels and they took me to the north bank where the blue line is on the topo. For variety I went up an island at N33 19239, W116 04410. That ends in a third mile then I should have gone left to a main wash but instead I went to the north bank where rocks forced me back to the wash. The trail is on up on the south bank at 18929, 05125. It goes 300 feet down a gully then right to 18894, 04967 where it's more obvious. It goes to 18895, 04645 then down a point to the flats. Then either stay low back or use a trail on the left rim. I did that by going up a gully at 19030, 03951 to get on top then walking down to the point then down to the right to get to the wash and back. 3 hours or less, easy. All roads are easy 4wd. Posted 2025.
SLIP BENCHMARK LOOP - this one combines two trails and might be the best. Take highway 86 to an exit at mp 61.1 then go north on the frontage road for a third mile to a main wash then up that to the power road on the topo and that's the park boundary. Walk up the wash a half mile then to a trail at N33 19985, W116 01722. It goes on to a fork and to 20112, 01994 then 20550, 03036 and on to 20532, 03284. I lost it near tire tracks but it goes right of the tracks at 20559, 03191 and I was on it again at 20572, 03407 then it drops to a wash at 20592, 03550. It goes up the wash over a mile and past Low BM then exits at 20731, 04711 and goes over to the rim of Wonderstone Wash. Stay on the high ground over Slip then on to 20427, 06457 where you cross a gully and a trail is on the other side up on the rim. It goes to 20288, 06194 then on to a point. A gully on the left at 19729, 05275 is the way down to a main wash. Go down that and a trail is on the right rim at 19883, 04074. Stay in the wash until a third mile away then go up a point to the trail. It goes on to a rim at 19939, 03489 and left of a hill then to a rock ring at 19860, 02014. It then drops to the wash that leads back to the start. 6 hours, 12 miles and 300 noticeable gain. I put a track on peakbagger under Slip and Low benchmarks. Next time I'll stay in the canyon south of Slip to connect the trails for a shorter hike and something different. Posted 2025
PYRAMID PEAK el 3480 has an Indian trail to the west saddle el 3150. I went over the summit then down the east ridge. Take highway 86 to an exit at mp 61.1 then go north on the frontage road for a third mile to a main wash then up that to the power road on the topo and leave a 4wd there. Then drive to mp 32.55 on S22 where you should be reading N33 17886, W116 11213 el 900. Any farther west means more rocks. Walk a tenth mile to a smooth channel at 17973, 11202. Follow that to the west side of a hill and walk the channel along the base. Upon reaching the north side of the hill, drift right a little to get in the main channel of Palo Verde Wash where you'll see a million footprints. Go on up the wash thru point 18536, 11111 then on to the start of the trail at 18873, 10748 el 1350. The trail goes up along the rim of a side canyon and be sure not to miss where it crosses to the left side of the creekbed at the 1550 level. It goes on up steeply to the top of the ridge el 2000 then down to the bed of Smoke Tree Canyon el 1900. Go up the main canyon 400 feet as the crow flies and the trail exits right at cairns. It gets fuzzy, but be sure to be on it where it levels off at 19430, 09720 el 2250. It's easy to follow to a creekbed where it vanishes. Go up the bed for 300 feet and it exits left. The reading there is 19838, 09605 el 2500. It goes on to a saddle on the main ridge el 3150 then it's easy up to the summit then down the east ridge. Be careful not to disturb a rock ring at el 3250. Another possible one is at el 2950. I went on down and over a bump to a saddle at 20211, 08383 el 2700 and it has a ring. I could see a saddle el 2350 down to my left and it has a good ring. I walked east from there down the left bank then cut to the right bank at 20302, 07971 el 2000 then soon I could see a slope to get me up to a saddle on the left rim. I went thru it then down the left bank to a deep wash and got on the left bank of that. When it ended I cut over to the right bank and then was on a huge bench. I drifted over to the right edge and on down past the southern leg of the Slip trail. That would be the best way back but I wanted to check out the bench ahead. I went to to the south of peak 711 reading 20359, 04622 then soon crossed a wash and walked the base of a slope. When that ended I moved far right to stay on the bench then to the northern leg of the Slip trail at 20563, 03321. I took that across a wash to 20474, 02797 then for the last mile headed straight for my cycle. That took 8 hours, 10 minutes and nearly 14 miles with 2500 noticeable gain. I put a track on peakbagger. Posted 2025
TRUCKHAVEN TRAIL connects Arroyo Salada Campground to the Calcite Mine road. Leave a bike at the campground at mp 34.9 then drive to mp 38.3 and turn right on a decent dirt road. Drive 3/4 mile to a deep wash and park. The trail drops down to the left but it's better to walk the road down then up the trail at N33 16533, W116 06523. It goes over a bench then back down and up into a side canyon where it goes up left at the mouth. It tops out on a bench then circles to the right to 16429, 06991 then on thru a saddle at 16348, 07351 and then enters Arroyo Salada Wash. Some people went up the wash but the hardy went up on the far bank and walked trailless terrain to 16338, 07993 and dropped into a wash and up to the trail at 16305, 08064. It goes over peak 960 to the campground then there is a paved shoulder to ride a bike back to the start. 100 minutes, 3 miles with 300 noticeable gain for the hike part. I put a track on peakagger under peak 960. Posted 2025
17 PALMS LOOP - a spotty trail connects peak 960 to the palms. I parked at Arroyo Salada Campground and went over the peak on the trail to a wash where it faded. I crossed the wash then on to a gully at N33 16368, W116 07911 then to 16281, 07476 where the trail starts showing up but spotty. I went on to 16104, 07241 then at 15851, 06994 I had a good trail that bends right into a wash and on to the palms. I returned in the main wash with the blue line on the topo. Just upstream from the 500 line is a main fork. I went left there then over the rim at 16009, 08408 and followed washes back using the sat image as I had cell coverage. Nearly 3 hours and 200 noticeable gain. I put a track on peakbagger under peak 960. Posted 2025.
ROCKS BENCHMARK TRAIL - this one is in the NE corner of the park accessed from 86th Ave. It runs on a bench south of Rocks BM. 86th Ave is gated where Lincoln St goes north. I rode my bike west past the gate for a half mile to the end of the road. Then I walked to a wash at N33 25548, W116 05413. I went .17 mile up that then took a left turn on to a wash at 25349. 05734 and then another at 25067, 06088. I went on until I was half a mile from the trail which is at 24483, 06482 and then I left the wash and went direct to the trail. I followed it past a rock pile made by the Indians. It goes up on the bench at 24467, 06580. Rock piles line the trail and then end in a third mile but not because they ran out of rocks. I went on to a fork at 23954, 07710 at the 1040 line where I began a loop. I stayed left up the bench to 23600, 08251 then to a faint trail at 23378, 08829. It took me lower then I walked thru a low spot in the next rim to 23342, 09054 where I could drop to the smooth wash. I went down and came to palm saplings and then a bigger palm and then at 23951, 08088 I climbed up the bank. Then I crossed a gully to the trail at 23932, 07976 and it took me to the fork. Retracing back out is best. I tried following the trail back out more to the east and it dumped me into the rockiest wash on earth. 6 hours and a whole bunch of miles. I gained nearly 2000 but all easy grades. A shorter hike would be to go right at the trail fork and into the wash and up to the larger palm. I didn't get a waypoint but looks on the sat image to be at 23653, 08561. How many people ever see that? Posted 2025