Pony Express Trail 9/11/09

[wormhole]

Thanks to a screw up on my part I had requested an extra day off from work that I didn't intend to take but since I had it I wasn't going to waste it (caught a few days before hand). Not being too familiar with Utah and it's trails I was originally planning to hit a national park in the area that I know: Bryce Canyon, Zions NP, Moab – Arches NP,F Flaming Gorge and Grand Teton NP all came to mind) and do some hiking or mountain biking.

A member on expeditionportal had recommend that I hit up a portion of the Pony Express Trail system here in Utah. I had known about the trail since seeing a sign for it while out at 5-Mile Pass R.A. but had completely forgotten the trail. After some consideration I decided to run the trail since it was closer than the above mentioned areas and it was an area I hadn't been before. So after a late start (had to take care of something with my new employer)I was headed out.

The trail can either be accessed just north of Ibapah, Utah or by taking the turn-off at the 5-Mile Pass RA. Unless, your coming from the Nevada side I'd recommend that you start at Fish Creek/Vernon area just west of 5-Mile Pass. There are other turnoffs to access portions of the trail though-out but they are kind of remote. I opted to start at the Fish Creek/Vernon Area. The first marker for the Pony Express trail is located at the intersection of HWY 36 and Faust Road then after a quick jaunt just south of it the trail itself beings and the adventure begins.

This time around I wanted to try something a little different when documenting my trip. The plan was to mark way points (highlighted in yellow) on my GPS as I traveled and when I came to a road intersection, a point of interest or a Pony Express Trail marker I would mark the point and then take a photo of the area. My intention was to give a sense of the area from those locations instead of taking random photo's along the way and then trying to describe where those were at.

Broke out my GPS map into separate maps for ease of viewing:

Map 1


598 – First Pony Express Marker: No. 53 Faust Station


600 – Trail Starts


601 - Lookout Pass




602 – Lookout Pass Station and Cemetery


Remains of the building once here:


The cemetery – a dog a few people are buried here (correct me if I'm wrong)


603 – Little Valley Turnoff
604 – Terra and Simpson Springs/Pony Express Trail Junction
605 – Dugway and Simpson Springs/Pony Express Trail Junction
606 – Dugway and Erickson/Pony Express Trail Junction

Between waypoints 603 and 607




Saw these little fellows at the water hole – counted about 6 of them scattered around the area


Map 2


607 – Simpson Springs Recreation Area with a campground located nearby.




Remains of the stone cabin


Other cabin and Pony Express Trail Marker: No 87, Simpson Springs






Inside the cabin. Gotten attacked by nats or some other flying insect while trying to take the photo.


608 – Historic Maker (no photo for this one ???)
609 – Pony Express/Dugway Geo Beds and Indian Springs/Death Canyon Junction

Taken somewhere between 607 and 610: A long road to somewhere


610 – Pony Express Trail/Fish Springs and Weiss Highway/Little Sahara Junction Turnoff


611 – Pony Express Trail Marker: Non. unknown


Taken somewhere between 611 and 614

[wormhole]

Map 3


613 – Kane Springs/Wiess Hwy/Delta and Pony Express Trail Junction

614 – Top of Pass
Looking back:


Looking ahead:


615 – Dugway Geo Beds Turnoff


Someone is planning a fire out there




616 – Pony Express Trail marker: No. Unknown


617 – Dugway Geo Beds/Simpson Springs/Hwy 36 and Brush Wellman Nine/Topan Mtn./Delta Junction


618 – Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge. Coming in from this location is barren then vegetation begins.


Map 4


619 – Sand Pass and Callao Junction


620 – Fish Springs Headquarters


Along way to go till Wendover and I-80


621 – Pony Express Station: No. unknown


Taken somewhere between 621 and 622


Old flipped/rolled over bus


622 – Leaving Fish Springs NWR. Beware of a sharp corner right before the exit.
623 – Top of Pass/Blind hill when coming over

624 – Callao and Trout Creek/Partoun/US 50-6 Junction.
Boyd Pony Express Station at this location




Heading to Callao


Map 5


625 – Callao. Surprising the map pretty much matches the town




Okay, now who's going to do that or is my mind just in the gutter?


626 – Pony Express Station:No. 83 Willow Springs


627 – Trout Creek and Gold Hill/Ibapah Junction


628 – Gold Hill and Ibapah/Overland Canyon/Pony Express Junction

629 – Random


630 – Canyon Station




Ruins

[wormhole]

Map 6


631 – Overland Canyon Sign


632 – Pony Express Trail Station: No. unknown


Now how do I get over there with this wash in the way? I know I climb down into then back up. Hopefully, if doesn't ran. HeHeHaHa!!




The unknown station and little did I know that there was a road that lead here just a little ways down from where I had parked.




Between 632 and 633


633 – Gold Hill Junction

634 – Deep Creek Wilderness Study Area turnoff


635 – At the trails end


Well, the trail was about 133 miles of gravel road that is somewhat maintained. You just have to watch out for potholes that span the the entire width of the road and some pretty bad washboard areas. It's accessible by car but I don't know if I would drive it in a car after a rain though. Other vehicle traffic on this trail is few and far between so heed the warning at the beginning of the trail to have extra supplies just in case (water/gas, etc.).

The road back from Ibapah to Wendover is on a paved road and is pretty much desolate as well. There is a house or two at the end of the trail but after that your pretty much on your own. Overall, it was a long but good day. I would love to hit this area back up in the spring time when every is green.

One recommendation that I have is that you fill-up your gas tank in Wendover and don't risk trying to get back to SLC or Tooele. I took a chance and about ran out of gas. The next gas station after Wendover is in Delle about 66 miles aways and you can expect to pay about $3.00 a gallon for gas, $.40 to $.50 more than in SLC or Tooele. I made it from Bountiful to Delle on a tank, avg about 17 mpg.

Here's the track/route I took.


Rest of the photo's can be found here:
http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t...ail%209-11-09/

[TrailDust]

From a man who loves the outdoors and hikes and climbs his brains out, let me say how much I appreciate your post. Great photos and such thorough coverage of your route is awesome! It also gives me something to plan for on a future visit to Utah. Very cool!

[JustAnotherAsian]

genuinely interesting. sorta a reality check on how people had it back then. you learn a little about stuff like this in school. seeing pics of it is another thing. going out and feeling the heat and emptiness must be something else.

[canddmeyer]

That's a great post. Fantastic desriptions with the pic's to back it up. I've heard of the Pony Express Trail, but this is the first in-depth posting I've seen. Looks easily drivable too.

[PhatRoyale]

Nice post and pics!

[wormhole]

Originally Posted by canddmeyer

That's a great post. Fantastic desriptions with the pic's to back it up. I've heard of the Pony Express Trail, but this is the first in-depth posting I've seen. Looks easily drivable too.

Ya, it's basically a gravel road. The first section does have a washboard effect on the road and there's a pot hole that about strectches the width of the road in section but other than that it's doable in a car. I was playing cat and mouse with a Pontaic Vibe up until the Wildlife Refuge HG.

This section also includes one the most remote sections of the old Lincoln Highway.


Thanks for the replies.

[xpeed]

Seems fun! if I had a potential off-roading SUV, I would do something like that one day.

[wormhole]

Originally Posted by xpeed

Seems fun! if I had a potential off-roading SUV, I would do something like that one day.

Your infiniti could make it, as long as it didn't low profile tires.

A regular passenger car can make it. Just have to take it a little slower going over the washboard.

[yuriy]

Beautiful pictures!