maXTERRA
05-24-2009, 09:28 PM
Myself and a couple of the other X's from UXOC (KUMA & JewelX) ventured out into the Utah west desert on saturday to explore the Newfoundland mountains area.
It is very remote and is only accessible via a railroad right of way for about 27 miles across the mudflats around the Great Salt Lake (which is really the remnants of Lake Bonneville) http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bonneville some 16,800 yrs ago. The service road is rough and rocky (sharp rocks, spikes, etc). Part of is bordered by the air force test and bombing range
Partway across the road is the Hogup Pumping station http://desertislands.org/hogup.htm that was built in 1980's to take water from the then Very High lake levels of the Salt Lake and pump them further into the west desert so they would evaporate on the mud flats.
The only reason anybody came out to the Newfoundlands early on was for silver mining. The area is so harsh and remote with virtually no life sustaining resources such as water and little wildlife to be had, living here would be tough indeed. We're told that if any water is available from the now dry springs or wells, not to drink due to it's arsenic content.
The area is indeed covered with old mining activity all around. We ventured into one of the more open ones near an old stone and mud house. Some of the others that were not more than just a small hole at the entrance, we opted out of.
Had a great time and some tough trails. Got a flat tire (again, my luck in the desert. BFG 285 AT's in another week or two!) Lots of desert pinstriping again and lots of DUST! Near 300 miles and 15 hour day for me...
http://s619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/maxterra/Newfoundland%20Mtns%2005_23-2009%20UXOC%20run/?albumview=slideshow
Dave H
It is very remote and is only accessible via a railroad right of way for about 27 miles across the mudflats around the Great Salt Lake (which is really the remnants of Lake Bonneville) http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bonneville some 16,800 yrs ago. The service road is rough and rocky (sharp rocks, spikes, etc). Part of is bordered by the air force test and bombing range
Partway across the road is the Hogup Pumping station http://desertislands.org/hogup.htm that was built in 1980's to take water from the then Very High lake levels of the Salt Lake and pump them further into the west desert so they would evaporate on the mud flats.
The only reason anybody came out to the Newfoundlands early on was for silver mining. The area is so harsh and remote with virtually no life sustaining resources such as water and little wildlife to be had, living here would be tough indeed. We're told that if any water is available from the now dry springs or wells, not to drink due to it's arsenic content.
The area is indeed covered with old mining activity all around. We ventured into one of the more open ones near an old stone and mud house. Some of the others that were not more than just a small hole at the entrance, we opted out of.
Had a great time and some tough trails. Got a flat tire (again, my luck in the desert. BFG 285 AT's in another week or two!) Lots of desert pinstriping again and lots of DUST! Near 300 miles and 15 hour day for me...
http://s619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/maxterra/Newfoundland%20Mtns%2005_23-2009%20UXOC%20run/?albumview=slideshow
Dave H