Nine Mile
Canyon, located in southeastern Utah, is sometimes known as the world's "largest art gallery." The well-preserved rock art and other archaeological sites give visitors a glimpse into the many different people that have inhabited this area for 8,000 years, including the Fremonts and the Utes. The canyon's name is a bit of a misnomer. Nine Mile Canyon is actually 70 miles, not nine. There are several stories on how the canyon got its name. Back in 1869. John Wesley Powell came to explore the area with his cartographer, F.M. Bishop. Bishop used a nine-mile transect for mapping, and perhaps that is how the canyon got its name.
Instructions
1. Plan your travel dates. The dirt and gravel roads through Nine Mile Canyon can be impassible during inclement weather, so plan your visit accordingly. You can access Nine Mile Canyon from Price by traveling on Highway 6/191 until you reach 2200 East (Soldier Creek Road). Turn north and travel until you reach the kiosk. This is where Nine Mile Canyon begins. You can also enter the canyon from the north end. Take Highway 40/191; the access is one mile west of Myton.
2. Arrange lodging. If you will need to secure a place to stay during your visit to Nine Mile Canyon, you can make reservations at the Nine Mile Ranch, the only lodging option within the canyon. The Ranch offers rustic cabins, a campground, an Indian teepee and a "Bunk n' Breakfast." If you want to lodge with more modern accommodations, you can secure a hotel room in nearby Price.
3. Begin your visit at the College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum. Here, you can pick up maps, brochures and information about Nine Mile Canyon. For a small fee, you can take a self-guided tour through the museum to learn more about the area and the people who once inhabited Nine Mile Canyon.
4. Drive to the entrance 20 miles north of Wellington and have your map to Nine Mile Canyon handy. The kiosk at the Wellington entrance is milepost 0. As you look at your map, notice the milepost of the different sites you would like to visit. Often, there isn't a road sign to signify a landmark, so you will need to rely on your map.
5. Visit the Cottonwood Glen Picnic Area. Here, you can enjoy lunch at one of the picnic tables before venturing further into the canyon. There are restrooms, but no drinking water.
6. Visit the different sites as you make your way through the canyon. Some sites have a pull-off and you can take a short hike to visit the rock art. Others are on private property and you will need to view the site from the road.
7. As you reach Nutter Ranch, continue going straight toward the Granary. You will see the Fremont Village after a short drive. Turn onto Cottonwood Canyon to see the famous rock art panel: Great Hunt.
8. Stop at the Gate Canyon Orientation at the fork. Take a right toward the town of Myton. You can take the Gate Canyon hike near the Summit Vista, or just enjoy the view. From here, you can turn around and head back toward Wellington, or you can continue driving toward Myton.
Tags: Nine Mile, Mile Canyon, Nine Mile Canyon, canyon name, will need
