Cameo Cliffs 4X4 Trail
Near Moab, Utah

Part Two - Cameo Cliffs North

by Bob Norton
Photos by Bob Norton except where noted.

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After a leisurely breakfast, Bob T and I head southward from Moab, Utah on U.S. Highway 191 for a second day of exploring the Cameo Cliffs. We pass "Hole-'n-the-Rock" and in about 2 ½ miles further, our destination: Muleshoe Canyon Trail.

West of the highway, Muleshoe Canyon meanders towards its juncture with Kane Springs Canyon. To the east, sheer walls dominated by pink and white hues. And a road... yes, one that few folks will ever notice while rushing by in the typical hill climb race with the 18 wheelers.

Colorful Surroundings

Muleshoe Creek

Proceeding along this trail, Bob and I are impressed with the colorful surroundings, lamenting that we have never visited here previously. The route crosses the Muleshoe Creek drainage in a couple of places and in spite of the summer heat, surprisingly, some water is flowing. The 'wheeling is easy, 4-wd only necessary at a couple of the stream crossings, the road ending after about 1 1/2 miles for full-sized 4x4's. From this point, an ATV/hiking trail continues further up the canyon.

Two small arches are located within a half mile, but with a daytime temperature pushing towards 97 degrees, high humidity, and pesky swarms of gnats (no-see-ums), we decided to postpone any hiking here for a return visit in the fall or winter. While enjoying the picturesque landscapes at this location, our attention is drawn to something high up the cliff wall. Using binoculars, we spy a huge mass of bat guano at a small cave. And embedded in this dark mass? A pick, complete with a handle made from a boat oar. From that, a dangling rope. Very curious!

We backtrack to U.S. 191 and travel southward to Browns Hole Road, just past the pipeline pump station complex. Heading eastward on this graded county road, several 4-wd trails are passed within the first mile. Portions of these roads had been driven in the past while we were searching for white agate. Being well documented in rock-hounding books, these areas close to the main roads have been well picked-over, and until time and erosion uncovers more rock, not much of interest remains.

Muleshoe Canyon Photo by: Bob Telepak

Colossal Mass of Agates

What is called the Confluence Trail by F.A. & M.M. Barnes in their "CAMEO CLIFFS Biking-Hiking-Four-Wheeling" book turned out to be much more interesting than we had expected. Not the road itself... easy wheeling, but what we discovered while driving it. First, we experienced some exceptional views looking into Muleshoe Canyon from above, back towards where we had been earlier in the morning. Second, what we came across at the end of the branch road to the west. Agate... red and white chunks scattered along the slopes above a Muleshoe Canyon tributary, plus numerous colossal size masses of these colorful rocks jutting out of the ground! As large as I have ever seen.

At the intersection of Browns Hole Road and Benchland Trail, evidence of past mining activity can be observed on the hillsides. Finding a branch road to the west off Benchland Trail proved to be difficult because of numerous short tracks from cattle ranching activity. Finally, a faint trace across a meadow area is located just north of a drill head and in a hundred yards, or so, it is obvious to us the correct route has been located.

Muleshoe Canyon

In about a mile, this trail ends at a cliff edge. Checking out the scenery, it is discovered that this location is directly above the end of the road in the bottom of Muleshoe Canyon. And scattered on the ground nearby, some nice white agate. Long overdo for a lunch stop, here was really not ideal due to minimal shade... we would just have to make-do. Huddling under the scant protection from the intense sun afforded by the leaves of the pygmy forest, lunch is served. Well, served mostly for the benefit of those ubiquitous, brutal, lilliputian flies! From our vantage, we observe 11 hikers in the canyon bottom... with matching hats and back-packs, they appear as a line-up of Kokopelli's, no doubt suffering much on their march this summer day.

Eroded Climb

Benchland Trail continues to the northwest, skirting a narrow portion of steep-walled Black Canyon. Hiking is possible down to a point where deep grottos and steep pour-offs stop further progress. Further to the northwest, Bob starts up the climb to the right to have a look. Shortly, he is stopped by a severely eroded section... while it may not be totally impassable, it certainly offers high risk of falling into the deep ruts! The topographical map shows this trail to continue onward, climbing steadily and then looping back to the southeast. Worth exploring from the other end someday.

Spectacular Panoramas

Along the Cliff Edge

Continuing to the northwest on Benchland Trail, Bob & I come to a gate. The route now takes on a somewhat rougher nature, dropping down a loose, increasingly eroded section, while following along the cliff edge. No, not dangerous, but I highly recommend 4-wd recreationists continue as the panoramas to the west become increasingly spectacular! Banded sandstone cliffs and domes, canyons, mountains in the distance, and yes, even traffic on the highway in the distance below all add to the grandeur.

Where the map shows the end of the road, it still does continue to climb upward. Uncertain of just what eroded roadway conditions might await, I parked the Cherokee. After all, old mine roads may require turning around at some exceptionally hazardous spot... and the XJ is far less maneuverable than a CJ-5!

Huge Rock Block Passage Photo by: Bob Telepak

Shortly, Bob did come up to some moderately eroded sections and I spot to keep the Jeep out of the deep holes. After driving a few hundred yards upward, the Jeep rounds a bend... this is it! The end of the line... a huge rock blocking the trail, halting passage to all vehicles much larger than an ATV. Oh well, still plenty more to explore in this area on some future visit. Old mine roads further to the north that start in Kane Springs Canyon, for instance, could provide other adventures.

Las Sal Mountains in the distance

At this time, we backtracked to the Connecting Trail that follows northward along the edge of Black Canyon. A number of branch roads exist to old mining sites in this area. The climb from Benchland Trail to Highline Road is more than 600' and includes some rough and rocky sections, plus some steep climbs. Moderate in difficulty, but the 4-wd does indeed get some exercise. East of Black Canyon, occasional views of the La Sal Mountains break through the pinions and cedars.

Steep Hill

Driving steadily up a drainage, at one point we pass a large number of cottonwood trees. The map shows springs in that area. Just beyond, a long and steep hill climb. Of concern was the closed gate just as the climb steepened! But, was not as bad as it looked and a slow crawl up the hill was possible.

Perhaps a 1/4 mile beyond the hill top, the road intersects with the big county road known as Highline Road. With some light left in the evening, Bob and I took a left turn at the intersection of Highline Road with Black Ridge Road to drive to the highest point in the area and the location of a microwave relay facility. A right turn at this intersection leads to a crossing of Kane Springs Canyon and back to U.S. 191.

Spectacular Views

Behind-the-Rocks

A trail leads about a 1/4 mile beyond the radio site to the end of a narrow point. Now this is really worth driving out to... spectacular views of the La Sal Mountains and the Spanish Valley south of Moab await. Too, likely here are the best views of the strikingly eroded "Behind-the-Rocks" region from the south.

Our 2 day whirlwind tour of the Cameo Cliffs region has sparked our interest to return again sometime. There are other old mine roads to explore and canyons to hike. There are other colorful vistas and rockhounder's delights to discover. We will be back!

Cameo Cliffs North Trail Map (590 KB)

Part One: Cameo Cliffs South

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