Saulsbury Wash - FS 44056

Trail Overview

Saulsbury Wash is a classic "gateway" trail into the high-desert backcountry east of Tonopah. The route begins at a convenient Highway 6 staging area, which serves as an excellent jumping-off point. The staging area has picnic tables and public restrooms. The trail quickly transitions into a scenic, rolling dirt track. The driving experience is characterized by a "flowy," well-graded surface that winds its way through an expansive landscape of big sagebrush and golden rabbitbrush. The trail provides a front-row seat to the dramatic "Basin and Range" topography of central Nevada, with picturesque mountain views appearing at every turn. A major highlight of the area is the access to Muddy Warm Springs, a hidden desert oasis that has drawn travelers for generations. Along the way, the route is dotted with numerous high-quality dispersed campsites, many featuring well-established rock fire rings already tucked into the brush. Please utilize the existing rock fire rings and established clearings to help protect the delicate desert crust and minimize impact on the surrounding flora. This area is teeming with wildlife; keep a sharp eye out for Pronghorn Antelope racing through the sage, as well as oversized jackrabbits and the occasional roadrunner darting across the track. While the trail is generally well-graded, the soil in Saulsbury Wash can turn into treacherous sticky mud when wet. There is zero winter maintenance on this route, making it susceptible to snow drifts and deep mud during the spring thaw. Expect zero cell service once you leave the Highway 6 corridor. The deep basins of the wash create a total signal shadow. Download offline maps before leaving Tonopah.

Photos of Saulsbury Wash - FS 44056

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Difficulty

Suitable for most high-clearance SUVs and 4x4 vehicles. 2WD is manageable in bone-dry conditions, but 4WD is recommended if the weather turns. This is a pretty wide-open route with plenty of broad sections to safely pull over for oncoming traffic.

Technical Rating

Saulsbury Wash - FS 44056 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike