Paul Bunyan's Woodpile

Trail Overview

This graded gravel road leads to the trailhead for Paul Bunyan's Woodpile, which is an interesting (and rare in Utah) geographic feature, which is a cluster of lava "logs". They are about a foot in diameter and up to 15 feet long. The hike up and back is about 1.8 miles, which is mostly uphill.

Photos of Paul Bunyan's Woodpile

Want to see more?

Login

Difficulty

Graded gravel road with gentle grades, two vehicles wide except for one narrower section.

History

Paul Bunyan's woodpile is a geological curiosity that is rare in Utah. The "Woodpile" is a cluster of lava logs formed about 30 million years ago during the Eocene period. The "Logs" were formed when a lava flow cooled into orderly columnar joints having 3 to 6 sides. The columns measure about a foot in diameter and up to 15 feet in length. This formation was on the rim of the caldera that collapsed due to a void left when lava flowed out from under the caldera. Basin and range faulting caused the formation to tilt onto its side. Erosion has exposed the formation we now see.

Technical Rating

Paul Bunyan's Woodpile can be accessed by the following ride types:

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