Sinbad Spring |

House Range

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Hiking Sinbad Spring - House RangeRoadside Attraction Sinbad Spring - House Range Sinbad Spring

House Range

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

Overview

RATING: Roadside or Easy Hike
MAPS: SWASEY PEAK, UT

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 58. North northwest wind 7 to 9 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.

58 | 42

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 61. Breezy.

61 | 42

Sat

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Breezy.

53 | 46

Sun

A chance of snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41.

41 | 39

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 33

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SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Filterable at the spring if needed.

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 58. North northwest wind 7 to 9 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.

58 | 42

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 61. Breezy.

61 | 42

Sat

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Breezy.

53 | 46

Sun

A chance of snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41.

41 | 39

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 33

View Full Weather Details
Sinbad Spring Sign

Sinbad Spring Sign

The west desert of Utah is a dry place! The harsh environment makes me appreciate the infrequent springs found in the nooks and crannies of the area. Sinbad Spring is a small oasis in a sea of parched mountains. The spring has been developed for livestock and fills a metal trough before overspilling onto the ground and continuing on its path down the canyon. Not far below the spring, it falls down over a 21 m.

Hikers can visit the spring, then circle around down to the base of the falls, visiting a small natural arch en route. The wild feel, waterfall, and tall limestone cliffs make for a nice, though short outing.

Note: The spring is easy to find. The arch and base if the falls require moderate route finding. I was poking around the area to prepare for descending Sinbad Canyon when cairns and a lightly used social trail caught my eye. The social trail, once you find it, is a little steep and loose, but fairly family friendly with good leadership.
View through the arch down Sinbad Canyon

View through the arch down Sinbad Canyon

Getting There

Note: Reaching the trailhead requires quite a bit of good dirt road. Though mostly good enough for a family sedan, I would recommend high clearance. The canyon requires a shuttle, so you will need two vehicles.

From Delta, Ut, head west on US-50 W/US-6 W toward Baker Nevada for about 12 miles to mile post 76.2 where old highway 6 is signed on the right.

  • Reset your odometer as you turn north onto old highway 6. This good gravel road has many side roads. Stay on the main old highway 6 as it briefly goes north, then turns west and heads toward the House Range in the distance. ( 12S 345584mE 4352404mN / N39° 18' 26" W112° 47' 28" )
  • 22.7 miles - 4 way junction. Go right here, heading north. ( 12S 311189mE 4348015mN / N39° 15' 39" W113° 11' 18" )
  • 27.6 miles - Major 4-way intersection. Stay straight, continuing in a northerly direction. ( 12S 306231mE 4353959mN / N39° 18' 48" W113° 14' 51" )
  • 31.5 miles - Junction to Dome Canyon. Stay straight. Left (Dome Canyon) is used for setting up the shuttle. Directions below. ( 12S 303385mE 4358495mN / N39° 21' 13" W113° 16' 55" )
  • 35.2 miles - Side roads on the left. There is good primitive camping down thes side road on the left a short distance. For Sinbad Spring/Canyon, stay straight. ( 12S 300127mE 4360627mN / N39° 22' 19" W113° 19' 13" )
  • 35.9 miles - Sinbad Spring is on the left (south) side of the road. This is the trailhead, though there is not a great place to park. Find the widest spot on the road you can for a parking spot. Note: Continuing to 36.6 miles ends at a fantastic overlook of the Tule Valley and several excellent primitive camping sites. ( 12S 300090mE 4361610mN / N39° 22' 51" W113° 19' 16" )
Towering walls from near the waterfall

Towering walls from near the waterfall

Route

From the road, head downhill toward the drainage. The spring, with a livestock trough, is on the right a couple of minutes below the road. To visit the waterfall from the top, continue down from the spring just a couple of minutes. There is one down climb (on the left looking down canyon) before getting to the top of the falls proper.

To reach the arch and bottom of the falls requires a bit of route finding. From the spring, head up the small hill, and trend southwest. The goal is to stay somewhat close to the rim of the canyon to your left, but not so close the going is difficult. After just a few minutes (700-800 ft of hiking), a steep slope to the south allows passage down. This is where social trails seem to coalesce, and you are like to see cairns and more of a defined social trail.

Follow the social trail down. There is some steep loose rock in sections, but a close eye avoids anything too difficult. Once down the first level, where you are at the level of the base of a cliff band to the left, follow near the base of the cliff left (east). The arch is soon visible.

From the arch, you can continue along the base of the cliff (east) and down to the canyon bottom. The lush base of the waterfall is a few minutes up the canyon, but may feel like more due to all the trees and vegetation that need to be negotiated en route.

Return the same way.


Maps

Route / 0.97 miles / Elevation Range 7,620 - 7,917 ft.
Printable Maps:
Sinbad Spring Trailhead

12S 300090mE 4361609mN

N39° 22' 51" W113° 19' 16"
Sinbad Spring

12S 300080mE 4361561mN

N39° 22' 49" W113° 19' 16"
Social Trail

12S 299914mE 4361474mN

N39° 22' 46" W113° 19' 23"
Waterfall

12S 300037mE 4361500mN

N39° 22' 47" W113° 19' 18"
Arch

12S 299917mE 4361413mN

N39° 22' 45" W113° 19' 23"

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