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How to find Nine Mile Canyon: |
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Turn north on the Soldier Creek Road, at Walkers Food and Fuel Chevron Station in Wellington, Utah. This is also the main road through Nine Mile Canyon. After you pass the Soldier Creek mine (12 Miles) the pavement ends.
A round trip through the canyon and back out is about 80 miles, so be sure to fill up your fuel tank leaving Wellington because the services are limited at best after you leave Wellington, Utah.
The road is fairly good, but can become slick and muddy if it rains or snows. Dusty in the summer time. There is a kiosk to greet you when you reach the entrance to the canyon. From there on watch closely for ruins or writings along the canyon walls.
Map
What to see:
Located in the canyon are several Petroglyph panels ruins, granaries, and even villages.
Also the stagecoaches came through the valley to reach Price, Utah from the northern parts of the state.
Photo Gallery:
These are two galleries of photographs I have taken.
History
As early as 300 A.D, the Fremont Indians were the first known tribe to inhibit the canyon . The Fremont Indians were a collection of hunter and grower Indians. By 750 A.D. a number of villages had been established. They were watering their fields with a complicated irrigation system.
The Fremont Indians thrived until between 750A.D. to 1250 A.D. then for some unknown, and much guessed at reason they vanished. Some people believe they left because of the the fierce Ute Indians (head bashers). The Ute Indians have also left their mark on the canyon. I tend to think that they left because of drought. For whatever reasons they did leave their marks on the canyon walls. Remains of their villages can still be found.
In 1869 John Wesley Powell led a government expedition through Utah. A member of the party with Powell did a nine mile triangulation drawing. Because of this drawing Powell named the creek Nine Mile. name the creek Nine Mile Creek. when he made a nine mile triangulation. The canyon itself is actually 40 miles long.
The road that was later established between Price and Myton became one of the most important roads in the state. The road was needed to re-supply the troops at Fort Duchesne from the rail head in Price. It was also a main route for the stagecoach, freight and mail for the Uintah Basin. It was a 6 day journey between Fort Duchesne and Price, also one of the roughest.
Wildlife
There are quite a bit of wildlife in Nine Mile Canyon besides the local cows. Elk, mule deer, and Pronghorn antelope enjoy grazing the hayfields. Rabbits, fox, marmot, ravens, magpies, coyote, badger, and lizards can also be found.
Each and every time I have been to Nine Mile Canyon, I have seen or heard a rattlesnake. They seem to be around the sagebrush, so please be careful.
Knowing where to look and knowing what to look for, will make the trip much more enjoyable. there are thousands of sites that have not been discovered yet. I can only list a few to get you started finding your own locations. Guide Services are also offered at the Nine Mile Ranch.
I obtained the Driving guide from one of the Utah BLM sites. I hope they don't mind because I couldn't come up with something better.
Services:
The is Nine Mile Ranch offers a Bunk & Breakfast, camping, country store, and guides. Contact them at for reservations or even just information about the services they provide 435-637-2572 http://www.castlecountry.com/itineraries/nine_mile_canyon_trip.html They have the best Dutch oven dinners.
Nine Mile Canyon is not all owned by the BLM or State of Utah. Quite a bit of the canyon is privately owned, and we are lucky for them to let us use their property. so treat it appropriately. Please leave the canyon as you found it.
Remember Leave No Trace!
The Native American rock art can be ruined if they are touched. Please don't touch, trace, chalk, or wet the panels since this can destroy the artifacts. Please do not pick up or removed any items either. The panels have been here for thousands of years, please help them remain here for thousands more.