Wild Horse Mesa

[Desertrat]

Took the truck out for a drive Saturday down to Wild Horse Mesa. The drive down was nice, I passed by a lot of campers getting ready for Easter and others just enjoying the weekend. I couldn't believe all the people parked at Little Wild Horse trailhead. It surprised me even more to see a lot of cars parked at Ding and Dang. I stopped just after Ding and Dang trailhead to have lunch and get some photos.





After Ding and Dang, that would be the last time I saw anyone else until reaching Highway 24. The road through the wash was great but soon it climbed out and up top. It got a lot rockier and definitely required a high clearance. It looked to be storming all around me but I never did see a drop of rain. Which was good because the road heading towards Factory Butte would have been a nasty mess when wet.







The road drops down into the Muddy River valley near a neat old cabin. It has a great chimney and a second story. I stopped and explored here for a while and checked out the nearby corral.



The Muddy River crossing was next and I wasn't sure what to expect. The road leading up to it was deep sand and required 4 wheel drive. There was a blm sign almost completely buried in the stuff. The crossing though was a piece of cake. The water wasn't very deep but I left my truck in 4 wheel drive to make it up the small sandy bank on the other side.





I started to hurry after the crossing because the road was the dirt that would become a slick snotty mess when muddy and the clouds were moving in closer.





After getting to Hanskville, I had to stop at Hollow Mountain and buy a Mountain Dew just because it is such a cool place.



I was glad I didn't let the weather scare me away even though I did think about turning around once or twice.

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[Udink]

Nice! I've wanted to do that drive but just haven't ever gotten around to it.

 

[Nick]

Way cool. I almost made that drive once but I kinda got sunk in the mud right before Muddy Creek. Great looking Taco.

 

[pixie1339]

Looks like a fun drive! I'm glad the weather cooperated for you, and that you safely crossed the Muddy, as well. That seems to be one where it can be no big deal, or it can swallow your car.

 

[steve]

I've been stuck in Muddy Creek before and had to winch out. Although I was at a different crossing than you. Great report.

 

[Bob Palin]

I saw Muddy Creek swallow a motorcycle once, not in that exact spot though. I've crossed it on very dodgy ice and turned back several times without crossing it. That grey mud is terrible when wet, been there done that with customers in the truck! Somehow I haven't ever seen the cabin as far as I remember, which is not always all that far...

 

[Artemus]

Way cool. I almost made that drive once but I kinda got sunk in the mud right before Muddy Creek. Great looking Taco.

Great trip report! Nick's drive of the same place was a good story too.

 

[Desertrat]

Great trip report! Nick's drive of the same place was a good story too.

I had read his report before going and that had me a little worried about the river crossing.