This short spur off the main dirt network runs across open sagebrush flats toward the base of White Mountain, home to one of the largest concentrations of Native American rock art in the region. The road is a well graded two-track that dips through a few shallow washes but stays mostly flat, making it an easy add-on to a longer day exploring the Red Desert.
Trail Summary
- Location: Near Rock Springs, Wyoming
- Distance: 2.85 miles
- Difficulty: Level 2 - Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
- Minimum Elevation: 6,574 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 6,917 ft
- Elevation Gain: 330 ft
- Travel Time: 9 minutes recorded
Difficulty
Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
Stock equipment is sufficient, but the terrain will test tire traction and ground clearance in a few spots. Expect dirt and rocky sections with rutted washouts and small dips under 9 inches. Grades stay gentle for the most part, with good traction in dry conditions. The road runs one to two vehicles wide for nearly the entire distance.
Elevation
The track climbs steadily from 6,574 feet near the start to a high point of 6,917 feet, a gain of about 330 feet spread over the full distance. There is no significant descent recorded on this leg, since the route ends higher than it begins. The grade is gradual throughout, without any sharp pitches.
Terrain
This stretch runs through desert and foothill terrain, with sparse sagebrush flats broken up by a handful of shallow drainages and washes. The surface alternates between packed dirt and light gravel, with occasional exposed rock. Nothing here requires technical line choice, but the washes can get soft after rain.
4WD Experience
A high clearance 4WD vehicle handles this section without issue. The washes and minor rutting are the only spots where clearance matters, and most stock trucks and SUVs will clear them without touching skid plates. Traction is generally good on the dirt surface when dry, though the wash bottoms can hold moisture longer than the surrounding flats.
Travel Time
The recorded track shows this segment covered in about 9 minutes, but that reflects a faster pace than most visitors will run. At a realistic pace for a high clearance 4WD vehicle picking through the washes and watching for wildlife, plan on 12 to 15 minutes for this leg alone.
Highlights
The draw here is the destination rather than the drive: a 300 foot sandstone cliff face carved with rock art left by Plains and Great Basin peoples going back several hundred years. The open Red Desert scenery along the way offers wide views toward Boars Tusk and the surrounding badlands, with a good chance of spotting pronghorn or prairie dogs.
Trail GPS File
Map