Hole-In-The-Ground | Snake Valley

Roadside Attraction Hole-In-The-Ground - Snake Valley Roadside Attraction Hole-In-The-Ground

Snake Valley

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Roadside
LENGTH: 1 hour
MAPS: HOLE IN THE GROUND, UT

Sun

Snow before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

43 | 29

Mon

A slight chance of snow before 8am, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

45 | 21

Tue

Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

47 | 26

Wed

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

41 | 23

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 38.

38 | 16

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any when roads are dry. Hot in the summer.
WATER: None, bring all you need.
NOTES: Reaching the end of the road has about 0.8 miles one way that will require medium clearance.

Sun

Snow before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

43 | 29

Mon

A slight chance of snow before 8am, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

45 | 21

Tue

Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

47 | 26

Wed

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

41 | 23

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 38.

38 | 16

View Full Weather Details
Hole-In-The-Ground in Snake Valley

Hole-In-The-Ground in Snake Valley

I don't think my family took me literally when I told them we were going to visit a Hole-In-The-Ground. Some intense questioning followed by an inquisitive 6-year-old, wanting to know how deep, how wide, what would be at the bottom, etc… It turned out to be a rather amusing drive!

This is, indeed, a LITERAL Hole-In-The-Ground! To answer the common questions of a 6-year-old, the hole is an impressive 250+ feet wide and up to 110 feet deep. It stands out in the otherwise mostly flat Snake Valley.

This is NOT an attraction I would drive too far out of my way to visit. As it happened, we were heading near the area anyway, and the short 10-minute side trip was worth satisfying my, and my daughter's curiosity about what a Hole-In-The-Ground would be like.

Formation: The sinkhole was formed when water dissolved limestone bedrock underneath the hole. The water carried the dissolved particles away. At some point, the cavity became so large it could no longer support itself and created the sinkhole. The collapse may have been one quick and dramatic event, or it may have been a series of smaller collapses over time. When the collapse occurred is unknown, but possibly as long as a million years ago.
The crumbly cliff walls on the east side of the sinkhole

The crumbly cliff walls on the east side of the sinkhole

Getting There

On highway 6, near the Utah/Nevada border, turn north on the paved road to Eskdale that leaves highway 6 at milepost 4.75. This is about 84 miles west of Delta, UT or 11 miles east of Baker, NV.

After 3.7 miles, turn right on to Eskdale Road.

After 0.4 miles, turn left, which takes you through the small commity of Eskdale.

In 0.8 miles, after leaving Eskdale, turn left onto a county road running north/south.

Just a few hundred feet later, turn right.

After 0.8 miles, turn left onto Adam Rd/Knoll Springs Rd.

Follow the Knoll Springs road for 4.5 miles to a small two-track road leaving on the right.

Take the two-track 0.75 mile to where it splits. Go right a few hundred feet to the fenced Hole-In-The-Ground.

Interesting rock colors and textures in the bottom of the hole.

Interesting rock colors and textures in the bottom of the hole.

Route

The sinkhole is fenced to help prevent livestock and people from inadvertently falling in. A step over gate on the southwest corner provides easy access.

You can, carefully, hike down to the bottom of the sinkhole via the steep dirt slopes.

If you go to the bottom, be sure to take a close look at the vertical walls. There are some interesting rock colors and textures.


Maps

Printable Maps:

4.5 miles - Turn of Knoll Springs Road

12S 248246mE 4340838mN

N39° 10' 49" W113° 54' 52"
Hole-In-The-Ground

12S 249178mE 4340149mN

N39° 10' 28" W113° 54' 13"

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