Western Utah

Going through Utah north-south is Interstate 15, an important route across the United States that connects to routes that lead into western Utah. Also crossing western Utah east-west is U.S. Route 50 and Interstate 80, both of which are major highways but Interstate 80 being the far more used of the two.

The vast empty desert landscape of Western Utah has proven to be a tempting canvas over the years for the artist who prefers nature over a museum.

The 🌍 Spiral Jetty, considered to be the central work of American sculptor Robert Smithson, is an earthwork sculpture constructed in 1970. Built entirely of mud, salt crystals, basalt rocks, earth, and water on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake near Rozel Point, it forms a 1,500-foot-long (460 m), 15-foot-wide (4.6 m) counterclockwise coil jutting from the shore of the lake which is only visible when the level of the Great Salt Lake falls below an elevation of 4,197.8 feet (1,279.5 m). Construction of the Jetty occurred during a drought when the water level of the lake was unusually low; however, within a few years, the water level returned to normal and submerged the Jetty for the next three decades. It first resurfaced in 2004, and changing water levels have submerged and uncovered the Jetty several times in the years since. Originally black basalt rock against ruddy water, it is now largely white against pink due to salt encrustation and lower water levels.

The Jetty is extremely far from most human habitation. It is located 17 miles by dirt road, through active pastureland, from the Golden Spike National Historic Site, which is itself ~32 (paved) miles from the nearest town of Corrine, Utah. Ensure you will have gas enough for the ~100 mile roundtrip, and time enough to be back on paved roads before dark.

In poor weather conditions it can be extremely dangerous to attempt to visit the Spiral Jetty as even though there are signs directing you to the Jetty, it would be very easy to get lost if they are missed due to poor visibility. An accident with the cattle that are often found on the road would leave you not only stranded, but liable for the damages to the livestock.

The Spiral itself will most likely be partially or fully submerged when you arrive, although a climb up the nearby hills can provide a better vantage point from which the Jetty can be seen even if it is underwater.

Other art installations in the desert of Western Utah include the 🌍 Tree of Utah, an abstract structure vaguely resembling a tree that makes for a memorable roadside landmark about half way across the salt flats on Interstate 80, and the 🌍 Sun Tunnels, a series of concrete tunnels with sun holes on the top in the shape of constellations. The four tunnels are arranged in an X pattern: one pair is aligned perfectly with the sun at the summer solstice, and the other pair at the winter solstice.

While the Pony Express existed for only a short time, it left its mark on Utah. You can explore parts of the original route throughout western Utah. There is an historic marker commemorating the 🌍 Faust Pony Express station located along Utah State Route 36. If you drive east from this spot, you can take the Pony Express Road back toward the Wasatch Mountains. Drive 3/4 of a mile (1.1km) farther south and Pony Express Road heads west deep into the western desert. Both of these roads are compacted dirt but well maintained and graded so high-clearance vehicles are not required.

Drive approximately 24 3/4 miles (39.75km) along the west-heading Pony Express Road and you will come to 🌍 Simpson Springs campground which is maintained by the US Bureau of Land Management. Adjacent to the campground is the 🌍 Simpson Springs Pony Express station with not only an historic marker but the original stone construction station building intact.