An OHV trail to dinosaur bones on the edge of the San Rafael Swell
By Lynn R. Blamires
Concern for dry trails to find bones
It was the second day of a two-day ride in Green River, Utah. We rode the Orange OHV Trail on the first day because it rained all day on our trip from Northern Utah. As we made the last leg of our journey down the east side of the San Rafael Swell from Price to Green River, I could see a lot of standing water on the type of ground we would be covering on the second day. I wanted to have a day to let it dry out before going in search of the dinosaur bones.
AGPS track took us out of town on a country road
As we gathered at the Maverik station on the west side of town on day two, the weather looked promising. We lined up eight machines and headed out for adventure. The track I was following took us east back toward town, where we turned south onto North Long St., then west out of town onto 500 St. South onto a country road.
Crossing the gulch
The extra day was enough to dry out the trails, but we came to a gulch that had seen a lot of water, creating dirt benches on either side at the bottom. I tried to cross this chasm while everyone watched. I had the transmission in low range as I dropped into the bottom, but as I tried to climb out on the other side, my rear wheels spun out. I backed up, put my machine in four-wheel drive, and climbed out on the other side.
Crossing the gulch was a big deal
Two others made the crossing, but no one else seemed to be interested. I couldn’t see what the big deal was—three of us made it just fine. I came back across and we took another route. Later, I watched a video of my crossing that one of the riders had taken. I realized then, I wouldn’t have wanted to follow me either.
Following Old State Route 24
We followed a road that I didn’t even know existed. It was Old State Route 24 – the highway to Hanksville. That road is Highway 24, which comes north and ends at Interstate 70. We turned off the old route onto the Buckmaster Road and headed north.
Passing under I-70
We passed through two large culverts that took us under the Interstate. At one point, the road was washed out. We had to take a path around the gully to continue north, and took a trail over a ridge that came out on the Four Corners Mine Road near the Buckmaster Reservoir.
Needing to know where I was
I knew I was on the right road, but I didn’t know where I was in relation to the dinosaur bones. This road comes up from the south at the point where Highway 24 continues south from the Interstate. No, I wasn’t lost, but I didn’t know where I was exactly.
Getting my bearings to find the bones
I led everyone south to the Interstate, where we turned around and headed back. Now that I had my bearings, I knew I could find the bones. We rode two and a half miles north and turned left onto a trail that arced around back to the north.
From the knoll, we found the bones
We stopped on a knoll and got out. As a group, we started walking down a rocky slope to the east and found the bones. It is difficult to identify the critter.
This place was not meant to become commercial – it is not marked. I have directed people to this place before. The people who have seen them have respected them, and that is why they are still preserved.
Overlooking the San Rafael River Valley
Afterward, I led the group farther south to the edge of a cliff overlooking the San Rafael River Valley. It was a good view of the edge of the Swell. We could see a trail below that could be reached from a point farther north, but that was a ride for another day. We watched another rider in the valley making his way on that trail.
Exploring mining history
Before heading back to town, we explored some evidence of uranium mining from the 1950s. There are entrances to mines that have been backfilled for safety reasons. There are also open mining pits with wood beams and evidence of mining shacks. There is a lot of mining history to be explored in this area.
We finished a ride of 39 miles
We got turned north on the mine road on our way back toward town. We crossed Highway 191 and followed the railroad tracks back to the Maverik station, finishing a ride of 39 miles. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and have your own adventure in dinosaur country.
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