Roadside Attraction Tule Valley Hardpan - West Desert

Overview

Sun

57° | 41°

Mon

57° | 39°

Tue

63° | 35°

Wed

69° | 39°

Thu

69° | 43°

( Rated 5.0 / 1 Ratings )

5 Todo Lists / 0 Ticks

RATING: Roadside Attraction

LENGTH: 1+ hours

MAPS: BURNOUT CANYON, UT; THE BARN, UT

SEASON: Spring, Fall. Summers are hot. Winters can be lovely if there is no/little snow, but can be cold and muddy after snow.

WATER: None

Sun

57° | 41°

Mon

57° | 39°

Tue

63° | 35°

Wed

69° | 39°

Thu

69° | 43°

Ruby and Abby enjoying the evening light on the hardpan.

The Tule Valley Hardpan is a fun place to visit. The large flat hardpan is popular with backcountry pilots, while the cliffs and boulders on the west side of the hardpan, known as the Ibex Crags, is very popular with climbers. The contrast between the flat hardpan and the jagged cliffs and boulders is striking. We visited to do some climbing but enjoyed the views and camping on the hardpan as much or more than the climbing. If you visit, especially with children, a kite is recommended! This is a perfect place to spend a lazy spring or fall day taking in the views, flying a kite, or testing your bicycling speed on the hardpan.

Camping Note: The area has excellent primitive camping but be forewarned. If the hardpan is at all damp or wet, DO NOT DRIVE ON IT! Best case you will make a rutted mess out of it, but more likely, you will become hopelessly stuck in the mud. Because the area is seeing increased use, be mindful to clean up any litter you find, and please do not create additional fire rings. Pack it in, pack it out!

Naming Note: Tule (Schoenopletus acutus) is a tall (3 m / 9 ft) grass like plant. The plant is common in Utah’s West Desert near marshes and other wetlands. Tule was an important part of daily life of Native Americans. The roots have been used for food, and other parts of the plant for shelter, sandals, etc... Tule Valley is named because of an abundance of the Tule plant in the area north of hardpan across the highway.

Bouldering at Ibex.

Getting There

The hardpan is about 50 miles west of Delta on US-6. Leave Delta heading west on US-6 to mile post 39.25 where a major dirt road leaves on the south side of US-6.

MP 39.25 - Reset your odometer as you turn off US-6. 12S 295462E 4322006N / 39°01'24"N 113°21'46"W

0.9 miles - Major Junction. Go left. (south) 12S 294457E 4320915N / 39°00'47"N 113°22'26"W

2.0 miles - Side road on the right. This heads directly across the hardpan to the cliffs. The road has a few rough spots that can generally be avoided if needed. If wet, do NOT drive on this road. 12S 294835E 4319209N / 38°59'52"N 113°22'09"W

3.1 miles - Ibex cliffs. A dirt road goes both north and south along the hardpan. There are many good primitive campsites in this area. 12S 293198E 4318643N / 38°59'33"N 113°23'16"W

Evening on the hardpan.

Route Description

The driving directions give end at the Ibex Crags. There are many good campsites along here, as well as a dirt road the goes north and south along the cliffs. South provides access to the largest area of the hardpan. There is a rocky island jutting out in the middle of the hardpan that is a fun short hike to visit. There is often a flag on its summit.

The main dirt road on the east side of the hardpan is easily passable by most vehicles but doesn’t have, in my opinion, as good of access to primitive camping.