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Roadside Attraction Tantalus Creek Corral
Boulder Mountain
Overview
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Wed 88 | 60 |
Thu 86 | 59 |
Fri 83 | 58 |
Sat 86 | 59 |
Sun 90 | 62 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
|
Wed 88 | 60 |
Thu 86 | 59 |
Fri 83 | 58 |
Sat 86 | 59 |
Sun 90 | 62 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
Part of the old corral at Tantalus Creek
East of Lower Bowns Reservoir is Tantalus Creek. This small creek is a seeming oasis surrounded by sandstone cliffs. The small creek's banks, at least in spring on our visit, were as green and lush as any field I have seen and made for a striking contrast to the red wall around it.
Near the creek is an old corral that hasn't been used in some time. The corral, a short distance from the trailhead, is tucked up among featured sandstone walls. A dramatic location, and worth the short walk to visit for both the scenery and historic corral.
This is not a spot I would go far out of my way to visit, but if in the area visiting Lower Pleasant Creek Falls or The Salmon, it is worth stopping to checkout.
Tantalus is a figure from Greek mythology, known for his grievous offenses against the gods and the severe punishment he endured as a result. He was a king, often identified as the son of Zeus and the nymph Plouto, and the father of Pelops, Niobe, and Broteas. His most notorious crime was stealing ambrosia and nectar from the gods to share with his mortal friends, an act which was considered a grave violation of divine trust.
Additionally, in a more gruesome myth, Tantalus is said to have killed his son, Pelops, and served him as a meal to the gods to test their omniscience. The gods, however, were not deceived and were horrified by Tantalus's actions. As punishment for these transgressions, Tantalus was condemned to an eternal torment in Tartarus (a deep, gloomy part of the underworld).
His punishment was to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, the branches would lift out of his grasp, and whenever he bent down to drink, the water would recede. This gave rise to the term "tantalize," meaning to tease or torment by offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach.
The mythology behind the name makes me very curious about who and why they named the creek Tantalus Creek.
An arch at the old corral.
Getting There
The trailhead is east of UT-12 beyond Lower Bown Reservoir. To get there, head south on UT-12 from the UT-24/UT-12 junction east of Torrey. Follow UT-12 for about 17 miles to milepost 106.1.
- MP 106.1 - Reset odometer as you turn off UT-12. This is signed Lower Bowns Reservoir. There are many side roads and primitive camping opportunities along the way. Stay on the main road until directed otherwise. ( 12S 470414mE 4216961mN / N38° 05' 60" W111° 20' 15" )
- 3.15 miles - Junction. Right goes to Lower Bowns Reservoir. Go left here, toward Jorgenson Flat and Tantalus Creek. ( 12S 474801mE 4217886mN / N38° 06' 30" W111° 17' 15" )
- 7.6 miles - Junction. Go right here, towards Captiol Reef. ( 12S 480225mE 4221827mN / N38° 08' 39" W111° 13' 32" )
- 8.25 miles - Smaller side road on the right that goes to the Tantalus Corral. Take this side road to its end in 1000 feet. It can be sandy and easily walked if needed. ( 12S 480717mE 4221404mN / N38° 08' 25" W111° 13' 12" )
Part of the old corral
Route
From the trailhead, follow a social trail north near the base of the sandstone cliffs. The old corral is only about a tenth of a mile (600 or so feet) from the trailhead. Return the same way.
Photos
Maps
| 8.25 miles |
12S 480717mE 4221404mN N38° 08' 25" W111° 13' 12" |
| Tantalus Corral Trailhead |
12S 480495mE 4221344mN N38° 08' 23" W111° 13' 21" |
| Corral |
12S 480490mE 4221506mN N38° 08' 28" W111° 13' 22" |
| Arch |
12S 480489mE 4221531mN N38° 08' 29" W111° 13' 22" |