Horseshoe Springs | Skull Valley

Roadside Attraction Horseshoe Springs - Skull Valley Roadside Attraction Horseshoe Springs

Skull Valley

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

Overview

RATING: Roadside or Easy Hike
MAPS: SALT MOUNTAIN, UT

Sat

Mostly sunny. High near 50, with temperatures falling to around 45 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

50 | 29

Sun

A slight chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

46 | 33

Mon

A chance of rain before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

49 | 34

Tue

A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

49 | 31

Wed

A chance of rain and snow before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 29

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SEASON: Fall, Winter, Spring (Buggy in late spring through mid-fall)
WATER: None, bring all you need.

Sat

Mostly sunny. High near 50, with temperatures falling to around 45 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

50 | 29

Sun

A slight chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

46 | 33

Mon

A chance of rain before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

49 | 34

Tue

A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

49 | 31

Wed

A chance of rain and snow before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 29

View Full Weather Details
The lovely Horseshoe Springs

The lovely Horseshoe Springs

Horseshoe Springs is one of few bright spots in Utah’s West Desert that early travelers following the Hastings Cutoff trail found in otherwise desolate and challenging landscape. Horseshoe Spring is the confluence of two large springs that form a horseshoe shaped pool. Travelers would pause here to rest, get water, and prepare for the arduous section of trail through the Cedar Mountains and then across the Salt Flats and finally to the more hospital Pilot Range beyond.

The springs were used by Goshute Indians and visited by Jedediah Smith in 1827, well before the time of the emigrant travelers that came in 1846. This was also a stop on the now infamous Donner-Reed party route.

Today, in addition to a historical site, the area is a Wildlife Management Area. Several informational signs mark the trailhead, and a dirt trail meanders around the springs. It is an interesting place to visit. Recommended, especially if you happen to be passing through the area.

Note: Bugs can be bad in the late spring, summer, and early fall. I recommend visiting in cooler times of the year, or your visit is likely to be short.
Dirt trail along the springs.

Dirt trail along the springs.

Getting There

Horseshoe Sperings is in Skull Valley, about 50 miles west of Salt Lake City on I-80. Go west on I-80 from Salt Lake City to exit 77, signed Dugway / Iosepa. Go south off the highway on UT-196 for 9.6 miles to mile post 27.3 and the signed Horseshoe Springs on the right. Follow the good dirt road a short distance to the springs and parking area.

The Cedar Mountains in the distance.

The Cedar Mountains in the distance.

Route

From the trailhead, a log walk crosses a small stream, then the trail meanders in a large loop around the bank of the spring and back to the trailhead.


Maps

Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12T 355502mE 4497303mN

N40° 36' 50" W112° 42' 29"

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