COAL MINE BASIN

TRAIL DETAILS

Trail leaves Vernal west of town traveling up through Coal Mine basin, south along the bench of little mountain then along the ridge to the top of Little mountain for lunch break at the towers and view of Vernal to the east, Unita’s to the North, and Book cliffs to the south. The group then travels down little mountain to Shindy Ridge to Dry fork Canyon where the group will stop by the McConkey Ranch for world class Freemont Indian Petroglyphs hike and back through coalmine basin to Vernal.

McConkey Ranch is Private Property that is open to the public for viewing, they accept donations to keep the trails clean and we encourage all participants to donate as a gesture of appreciation. The hike is approximately ¼ mile each way and has some short step climbs and narrow paths, off camber footing. Their visitor entrance also contains warning information of possible hazards such as snakes including rattle snakes and spiders including black widows. This stop will be a travel at your own risk and can be bypassed by those that do not wish to hike or are unable.

 

Scenery

Cedar benches, hill top views of Vernal and surrounding area, elevation 8000’, western desert, sand stone, native American Petroglyphs

 

Surface

Two Track roads with some off camber and larger rocks, steep inclines

 

​