hatchcanyon
Lancisti
This road connects Goblin Valley with Factory Butte/North Caineville Reef on dirt. Sometimes it is called Wild Horse Road. As far as I know not that often traveled by people from outside the region. We heard about, have experienced some difficulties making it not always feasible to use it.
This time we started at the Goblin Valley end. The road goes right a short distance before the Goblin Valley Visitor Center (at 12S 0525310 4270340). Wild Horse Butte is to the left, the road is paved for the next 5 Miles. We knew the road 20 years ago as unimproved and this was much more impressive than today. Reason for pavement are the slots from Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyon.
Wild Horse Butte
Skirting the base of the San Rafael Reef there is another trail down Wild Horse Canyon down to the Muddy Creek. It starts immediately west of Wild Horse Butte at 12S 0522750 4269590.
Wild Horse Butte and Canyon where the trail mentioned above can be found.
To the right San Rafael Reef with a number of canyons, some slot-like.
There might be slot canyons
Not far away from the parking lot at Bell- and Little Wild Horse Canyon
After these Canyons the road becomes much more interesting. It is a good road but dirt. At 12S 0515520 4269610 it turns south into lower Little Wild Horse Canyon. This slotless stretch runs for several Miles down to Muddy Creek. Might be that it can be traveled by 4WD? The main road leves the Canyon after 3 Miles.
Middle Wild Horse Mesa
In Little Wild Horse Canyon
Rocks with an unusual texture
Remarkable kerf in Little Wild Horse Canyon
At 12S 0515210 4266480 a lesser spur leads to the left following the wash. This is the wrong one, it might be a dead end even if maps show some othe spurs on top of Middle Wild Horse Mesa.
Looking north at the intersection in LWHC. Left is the main road.
Climbing out of LWHC onto Wittle Wild Horse Mesa
No need for a Wrangler
A first glimpse of the badlands yet to come
Blooming....
....and a little arch besides the road
Clay Hills and Henry Mountains
More clay, Skyline Rim and Factory Butte - dark as often seen
On a spur ending after .3 Miles
Clay Hills Road
More flowers:
Clay Hills
Different colors
More to come....
This time we started at the Goblin Valley end. The road goes right a short distance before the Goblin Valley Visitor Center (at 12S 0525310 4270340). Wild Horse Butte is to the left, the road is paved for the next 5 Miles. We knew the road 20 years ago as unimproved and this was much more impressive than today. Reason for pavement are the slots from Bell and Little Wild Horse Canyon.
Wild Horse Butte
Skirting the base of the San Rafael Reef there is another trail down Wild Horse Canyon down to the Muddy Creek. It starts immediately west of Wild Horse Butte at 12S 0522750 4269590.
Wild Horse Butte and Canyon where the trail mentioned above can be found.
To the right San Rafael Reef with a number of canyons, some slot-like.
There might be slot canyons
Not far away from the parking lot at Bell- and Little Wild Horse Canyon
After these Canyons the road becomes much more interesting. It is a good road but dirt. At 12S 0515520 4269610 it turns south into lower Little Wild Horse Canyon. This slotless stretch runs for several Miles down to Muddy Creek. Might be that it can be traveled by 4WD? The main road leves the Canyon after 3 Miles.
Middle Wild Horse Mesa
In Little Wild Horse Canyon
Rocks with an unusual texture
Remarkable kerf in Little Wild Horse Canyon
At 12S 0515210 4266480 a lesser spur leads to the left following the wash. This is the wrong one, it might be a dead end even if maps show some othe spurs on top of Middle Wild Horse Mesa.
Looking north at the intersection in LWHC. Left is the main road.
Climbing out of LWHC onto Wittle Wild Horse Mesa
No need for a Wrangler
A first glimpse of the badlands yet to come
Blooming....
....and a little arch besides the road
Clay Hills and Henry Mountains
More clay, Skyline Rim and Factory Butte - dark as often seen
On a spur ending after .3 Miles
Clay Hills Road
More flowers:
Clay Hills
Different colors
More to come....
