Diamonds in the Rough: Poison Springs Canyon and Nearby Environs

[roverrocks]

Feb. 17, 2014- Cruised southward though Hanksville, Utah on Hy 95 with an ultimate destination of Bullfrog, Utah on Lake Powell. First though a number of side roads/4x4 trails beckoned before turning off of Hy 95 on Hy 276 and over the 5,235" pass of the southern Henry Mountains and down to lowland Bullfrog. Viewed the open-landed Dirty Devil River at Hanksville and then way, way down Poison Springs Canyon where the same river flows through deep towering canyon walls with amazing rugged dry tributary side canyons pouring in. Before entering Poisons Springs Canyon for the 16 mile descent to the Dirty Devil River ford area, I took a westward side trail to a scenic BLM desert pond. Then on to Poison Springs Canyon. These are pictures of my journeys on Feb. 17 of the natural wonders I observed. Picture #1 is of the confluence of the Fremont River and Muddy Creek at Hanksville to form the Dirty Devil River that eventually empties into Lake Powell near Hite.

 

[roverrocks]

Diamonds in the Roughoison Springs Canyon and Nearby Environs Cont.

Poison Springs Canyon and side trails also taken. Incredibly beautiful and there was nobody out but myself. Isolation, solitude, and natural wonders! What could be better!! The high snowy mountain pictured in the distance above a sandy track is Mt. Hillers at 10,723"

 

[roverrocks]

Diamonds in the Roughoison Springs Canyon and Nearby Environs Cont.

Down, down, down Poison Springs Canyon to the aptly named Dirty Devil River. Lots of flash flood debris wrapped around cottonwoods I passed. A small stream flow here and there along with occasional patched of crusty ice. To call it picturesque is an understatement. Later in the spring when the cottonwoods green up there will be great contrast between green trees , reddish brown sandstone and white sands and gravel beds. Saw nothing much green here and no flowers yet but later at Bullfrog which is lower and warmer there were scattered Astragalus locoweeds starting to bloom and a hint of new green grass shoots jutting out of the desert.

 

[roverrocks]

Diamonds in the Roughoison Springs Canyon and Nearby Environs Cont.

Continuing down Poison Springs Canyon and nearing the Dirty Devil itself, the road abruptly leaves the Canyon bottoms and steeply meanders up the slope to the north. Cresting the ridge one is treated to an expansive awesome view of the Dirty Devil River and rugged canyon environs looking northward upstream. Going on down the road takes you to the ford area which I did not attempt as I was alone. River views upstream and downstream were terrific as were some of the colorful Dirty Devil canyon walls just across and ending down in the river flow. After the ford area I went back up the ridge road and dropped down into the Poison Springs Canyon whereupon I drove down the Poison Springs Canyon directly to it's confluence with the Dirty Devil River. The last two pictures are of the Poison Springs and Dirty Devil confluence area.

 

[roverrocks]

Diamonds in the Roughoison Springs Canyon and Nearby Environs Last Pictures

After coming back up Poison Springs Canyon, I headed south on Hy 95 and then SW on Hy 276 to Bullfrog to complete my day of Feb. 17. Here's a few shots in the fading afternoon light on the peaks of the Little Rockies which are the southernmost extension of the Henry Mountains chain plus a setting sun photo on a brilliant colored sandstone bluff and a final shot of a marina at the very low Lake Powell at Bullfrog.

 

[Foy]

The naming of the Dirty Devil River

Years ago, in the process of reading up on the natural history of Canyonlands, I recall it was an early explorer who encountered the stream's mouth along the Colorado. It was very muddy, in contrast with the Colorado, and the stream was said to be a "dirty devil". The name stuck.

Another very fine set of pics and narrative, Roverrocks. Many thanks.

Foy

 

[rfroy]

Nice pictures and writeup. Looks like a fun place. As I just getting started in this type of adventure traveling I appreciate the pictures you all post and I am taking notes on where to visit.

Jerry

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Rumpig]

Isolation, solitude, and natural wonders!

Looks like you got plenty of that...lovely countryside for sure, only wish there was something like that around my area to go explore :drool:

 

[xjman88]

Awesome trip report and photos. I enjoy your reports. Thanks.

 

[rkj__]

Wow, that looks like a whole other planet out there! So different from Canada.

 

[kpredator]

you are lucky to live in such a great area
thanks for the pics
kp

 

[mph]

Awesome area...glad u got to enjoy. Ps canyon is a gem. Slots, rock art, mining relics...

Thanks for the write up and pics!!!!