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| Otherside of Gold Hill Canyon Pass |
Taking the Hwy to Delta UT. was a trip in it self, with the large expansive beautiful vistas from the Hwy each beckoned me to take the first dirt road we saw and we saw many!! But we were on a mission and that mission was to continue on the TAT to the Oregon coast. Tackling the rest of Utah was just as impressive, we traveled the western part and headed slightly north. Getting on the TAT was easy as Sam's maps (the TAT map founding father) gave us many options for connecting back on the TAT.
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| Marjum Canyon |
Rolling through Delta UT we started early and headed west on SR 50 to Marjum Canyon Rd. There we were off of pavement and back on gravel as we traveled through Whirlwind Valley. Crossing Soap Hallow we took a right (north) on Notch Peak scenic loop. We approached the Swasey Mountains, Dome Canyon Pass el 6742, an area big for rock hounds and we saw many signs directing the adventurous rock hounds to their quarry. Our course was west to Cowboy Pass el 5718, heading south to Knoll Springs and Baker NV. Here the trail went into NV then north to towns like Grady UT. and Trout Creek hugging the NV. UT. border.
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| Whirlwind Valley Rd |
Turning slightly east we crossed through Callao CCC . Our compass was north as we traveled on the Pony Express rd through such Pony Express stations as Sixmile Ranch, Canon (Canyon), Gold Hill el 5298 and Gold Hill Pass. Over Rocky PT el 5536 we were in mining country. Remnants of old mining operations and what was left in the wake of the many Gold strikes gave us a glimpse into the past.
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| Salt Flats UT. |
Ibapah Rd took us into NV again as we headed north toward West Wendover on the NV, UT border. This stretch of road was filled with many wild life sightings as herds of deer and elk were observed running and grazing across the landscape.
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| Leaving the Salt Flats |
At one point we were driving in the same direction as a herd of elk was running along side of us only to cross the road ahead as it turned across our path. Ahead was a cloud of dust as 50 to 60 head of elk ran balls out to reach the turn before we did. Our mouths dropped open as we witnessed this amazing sight, too stunned to get a pic we could not believe what we just saw.
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| Leppy Pass Rd. |
Making the turn just ahead we saw the elk gracefully jumping across the trail. In unison they crossed our path and all we could see were the hoofs and their furry butts as they bolted through the open valley. There was
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| Nevada Big Lost River |
plenty more wildlife on this stretch, small fox, badger, coyotes, as well as hawks and many birds of pray.
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| Heading towards Leppy Pass |
The road was long and filled with corrugations. Casino lights in the distance was a welcome site as we enter West Wendover NV around 9pm. Beat tired we found camping at a KOA (*#&**) for the night. A local food truck supplied us with some tasty tacos for me and a deluxe burrito for Chris. Up early after showers we headed back into UT looking for Leppy Pass, but first a quick detour to the Salt Flats of Utah- flat, smooth and seemingly never ending. Very cool!!
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| Sea of Salt Flats ( Bullbar in bad Shape) |
Heading north through Leppy Pass we traveled through the many ancient sand dunes through Toole Box Elder up towards Lucin el 4471 where we started to get into some old railroad junctions. Up to Emigrant pass el 6097 we traveled east past Airplane Hill. The scenery was just beautiful and lush. Traveling on the Transcontinental Railroad grade we passed Lone Rock el 4272 through Salt Wells Flat.
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| Resident Cattle watching the trail |
We camped outside of Tremonton UT. The next morning we headed straight north to Idaho. 25 miles to the border of Idaho we were sad to leave Utah behind.
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| TAT Map Idaho |
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| corrugations for miles on the way to West Wendover NV. |
See you on the Trail!!
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