Roadside Attraction Starr Ranch
Southern Henry Mountains
Overview
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Sun 48 | 35 |
Mon 42 | 31 |
Tue 42 | 36 |
Wed 40 | 34 |
Thu 37 | 26 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
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Sun 48 | 35 |
Mon 42 | 31 |
Tue 42 | 36 |
Wed 40 | 34 |
Thu 37 | 26 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
The Starr Ranch and Little Rockies visible in the distance.
Broken dreams and half finished buildings, Starr Ranch is an interesting place to visit. Al Starr, seeking a spot to base his mining and horse operations out of, chose this site in the 1880s. Al was a bit ahead of the mining boom in the area, as other mines, including the uranium mines around Farmers Knob to the north and Del Monte to the south, didn't start until about a decade later. He hired a stonemason to build a house and cellar at the ranch, near the current day Starr Spring Campground. The mason did exceptional work, at least to my eye, but the buildings were never finished. Locoweed killed most of Al's horses, and his mine on Mt. Hillers never produced commercial ore.
The project was abandoned and left to the ravages of time. Today, there are a few walls standing, albeit they look like a stiff breeze could knock some of them down. There is also a fascinating root cellar. The BLM has fenced off the site due to wall collapse risk, but even from the fence, it is an interesting view.
The unfinished Starr Ranch
Getting There
From Hanksville, head south on UT-95 for about 27 miles to the junction of UT-95 and UT-276. Go right on UT-276 toward Bullfrog/Ticaboo for 17.1 miles to a signed dirt road on the right that heads up into the Henry Mountains. The road is signed for Starr Spring.
Follow the good dirt road for 3.3 miles to a major junction. Go right here, reaching the old Starr Ranch in less than 1/4 of a mile. The ranch house is on the left. The Starr Springs Campground is about 1/2 a mile beyond.
The ranch and Little Rockies. Mount Holmes is on the left, Mount Ellsworth is on the right.
Route
From the road, the old ranch house is easily visible, and a short trail goes to the fence. To the west is Mt Hillers. The two peaks to the east are the Little Rockies, Mt Holmes on the north side, Mt Ellsworth on the south. Parts of the Bears Ears/Cedar Mesa are visible far off in the distance to the east. Al picked a spot for his ranch house with some nice views!
Photos
Maps
| Jct - 3.3 miles from UT-276 |
12S 529906mE 4188713mN N37° 50' 43" W110° 39' 36" |
| Starr Ranch |
12S 529928mE 4188872mN N37° 50' 49" W110° 39' 35" |
| Starr Springs Campground |
12S 529688mE 4189207mN N37° 50' 59" W110° 39' 45" |