Meadow Canyon Road-FS30010

Trail Overview

Meadow Canyon Road-FS30010 is a 6.5-mile point-to-point road that runs through Big Canyon and is rated 2 of 10. This two-track trail offers scenic views and stops at two historic sites: Hamblin Cemetery and the old townsite of Hamblin. The trail is mostly dirt and sand and crosses a single wash. The Old Spanish Trail came up the valley to Mountain Meadows before proceeding to California. In the early 1800s, this valley was a series of wet meadows and dry grasslands. Sagebrush was absent and pinyon-juniper was confined to the highest peaks. The area was settled by Europeans during the 1860s, after which cattle and sheep were permitted to overgraze the range. Before that time, there were no arroyos in the valley. Floods during 1884 overwhelmed the devastated rangelands and cut most of the gullies seen in the valley today. As livestock destroyed the original grass cover, sagebrush and pinyon-juniper increased within the valley. Jacob Hamblin started a ranch and built a house for his family in 1856 near Mountain Meadows. As other settlers built homes in the area, the town became known as Hamblin. The overgrazing, flooding of the gullies and valley, and loss of lower springs water caused the people to leave, many going to Enterprise. Jacob Hamblin received an Indian mission call from Brigham Young and left for Fort Kanab with his family in 1869. By 1905, the village had all disappeared. Hamblin Cemetery and a few foundations of homes are all that remain in this pioneer town.

Photos of Meadow Canyon Road-FS30010

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Difficulty

This is a county dirt road with infrequent or light maintenance after rain or snow. High-clearance light-duty 4WD may be required.

Technical Rating