Wheeling in the Stansburys

[phatfoto]

I am tired of working on the ZJ, I replaced a unit bearing/wheel hub last night. I just HAD to go wheeling. So I hooked up with Scott for some scenery and fun.

This is a branch of the South Willow Canyon, old mining road, lots of rock and gravel, the trail isn't difficult, but it does get narrow in spots. REAL narrow, and a drop off or two when narrow. This trail has some open areas, but is not fullsize friendly at all. Unless you don't mind lots of Rocky Mountain Pinstriping.

Open area between tight spots.

Still a little snow from earlier in the week.

We turned around where the trail has been blocked off before a rock garden. Also, its not far from a lake. My knee isn't up to any sort of hiking or we would have hiked up for better pics.

A little babbling brook. Between the smell of Juniper and the sounds of the brook, I could have stayed here all day.

It really is nice to see the ZJ out on the trail, not on jackstands.

There are a few spots where trees had fallen and someone has chopped them up enough to keep the trail open.

Remember I mentioned narrow and drop offs? This doesn't do justice to the view, and I didn't get a pic of the stump in the road that I'm not about to try to work around. ATV friendly, but not Jeep friendly... We backed out about 1/4 mile.

A view back up the canyon we just came out of.

Nice place to stop and reflect before running back down the last bit of trail and the highway.

Thanks Scott, a pleasure as always... And yes, I was glad to get the ZJ out!

 

[DOSS]

yep had a great time.. after being sick on Wed Thur and Fri and unable to attend the trip I had planned with Sam and Mason in southern Utah something outdoors had to be done .. had a great time and some great views - Doesn't have to be a hard trail to be a good trail

 

[Coreshot]

Looks fun, I haven't been out there in awhile. I need to go back.

 

[phatfoto]

It was just a little trip to make sure work I've done over the last month wasn't going to come undone. I'm happy. And, whatever was making noise under the front isn't now.

 

[LT.]

Man, what a cool ride! Looks like y'all had a blast running the trails. Sometimes all we need is to get out and enjoy nature to really feel good.

LT.

 

[phatfoto]

Exactly. And very pleased with the work I've done on the ZJ.

On a side note, I also picked up trash along the way including a grill for a fullsize truck. Its mangled, so its junk.

 

[Bart]

Looks like a fun ride for sure, and beautiful scenery. Last time I was up there we x country skied in to just below the chute you can see in the pic (looking back...). That was when I was younger and more energetic. South Willow is a great canyon.

 

[BOB-CAT]

Looks fun, what was at the bottom of the tree? Junk or what?

 

[phatfoto]

Mining camp remnants I think.

 

[BOB-CAT]

Cool, is it up in Davenport or North Willow

 

[DOSS]

closer to south willow

 

[Houndoc]

Is it the trail that splits off the main road at the top of the switch backs near the top of South Willow? That was my guess based on photos and discription.

Neither North Willow or Davenport have roads that go far at all, at least to my knowledge.

 

[BOB-CAT]

I don't think I remember any cut off. I always run past the cabins then the ranger station then the camp ground loop and come down.

 

[DOSS]

nope.. you actually have to catch the mine road just near the beginning of south willow canyon. there are a bunch of roads that branch out from it and you just have to stay going up along the ridge.. If I could get my photobucket to work I would post up a little map for you

 

[BOB-CAT]

That would be cool, I thought I new all the trails in my back yard. I need to go check it out before the snow gets to deep.
Bob

 

[Houndoc]

Which direction off the road, North or South?

A map would be great (of course, I think there is a map of open trails in the Stansbury range. Should pick one up sometime. I know some of the trails are limited to specific class of vehicles and closed to others).

 

[DOSS]

Which direction off the road, North or South?

A map would be great (of course, I think there is a map of open trails in the Stansbury range. Should pick one up sometime. I know some of the trails are limited to specific class of vehicles and closed to others).

it is the old South Willow mining road. Still havening issues with my photobucket account.

 

[phatfoto]

Where can one get said maps?

 

[Houndoc]

Where can one get said maps?

I think either through the county (they have a trail commision that I would think has them) or perhaps Forest service or BLM.

 

[SportSawyer]

Where can one get said maps?

Those lands are managed by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Salt Lake Ranger District. The current Travel Map is available on-line at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/uwc/maps/misc_maps/tooele_co_summer_travel_map3.pdf

In the South Willow Canyon area, only the South Willow Road #171 and Mining Fork Road #578 are open to full-sized vehicles. There's a seasonal closure on the South Willow and Mining Fork roads, and they're currently closed. The trail that goes north & south from there is the Stansbury Front Trail, and it's NOT open to full-sized vehicles, UTVs, or ATVs -- it's a motorcycle trail.