Salt Valley - Yellow Cat

Total Miles
10.0

Elevation

1,521.31 ft

Duration

2 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Easy

Best Time

Spring

Trail Overview

This is a slick rock and sandy 4WD high-clearance trail with a short section of paved road connecting the Willow Springs Road access point off US 191 north of the Arches National Park main entrance station north of Moab. It proceeds into Arches National Park (no OHVs allowed past the National Park fence on the east end of Willow Springs Road), and then the route turns into a gravel road into Salt Valley. It continues as a dirt road north into the Yellow Cat mining area and back to US 191, not far south of I-70. This is a great family ride with lots of side trips of varying difficulties!

Photos of Salt Valley - Yellow Cat

Salt Valley - Yellow Cat
Salt Valley - Yellow Cat

Difficulty

4WD high-clearance is advised; some side trips like Tower Arch are level 5 or above with steep and long sandy hills and rocky ledges; Willow Springs and Yellow Cat Roads are sandy, dusty, and can be impassable when wet. OHVs are not allowed into Arches National Park.

History

Most roads are mining roads in this area, with a few short paved sections developed by Arches National Park. Note that local mines were all for toxic substances, so radon dangers exist (uranium and vanadinite).

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

There are no status reports yet for this trail.

Access Description

The best and most fun route is to start from Moab after enjoying breakfast or a local trail ride to get started, then head north on US 191 to Willow Springs Road and turn east onto the 4WD high-clearance trail. OHVs are legal until the National Park fence; entrance into Arches National Park on either end of this route is only legal for Jeeps, cars, and pickups. No OHVs, ATVs, or dirt bikes are allowed. The Yellow Cat north trailhead can also be used but isn't well-marked.

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