Historic
San Juan County, UT
Approximate location — plotted from published sources, not a site visit, and not a guarantee of access.
Three miles of steep unpaved switchbacks on Utah Highway 261 carved into the face of Cedar Mesa, dropping about 1,100–1,200 ft at roughly 11% grade above Valley of the Gods. Built in the 1950s by Texas Zinc Minerals for uranium ore trucks from the Happy Jack Mine to the mill near Mexican Hat; now a famous scenic backway on the Trail of the Ancients.
| Region | San Juan County, UT |
|---|---|
| Coordinates (approx.) | 37.2736, -109.9382 |
| Built | 1950s uranium-haul road (Texas Zinc Minerals) |
| Drop | ~1,100–1,200 ft in ~3 mi, ~11% grade |
| Route | Unpaved segment of UT-261 on Cedar Mesa rim |
| Manager | UDOT / BLM Bears Ears / Glen Canyon NRA context |
| Nearby | Valley of the Gods, Muley Point, Goosenecks |
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.