The three highest peaks of the Tushars leave evidence of such an explosion as they are spread across about a four-mile radius, but reflect only a 47-foot difference in elevation. Mt. Delano (12,169 ft.), Mt. Belknap (12,137 ft.), and Mt. Baldy (12,122 ft.) are the highest peaks, while eight other peaks in the range are over 11,300 feet in elevation. This beautiful alpine setting is ideal for cool, mountain hiking in the heat of summer. Along this trail system lies some of the most wild and scenic country in the Fishlake National Forest. It is a land filled with wild flowers, crystal clear creeks and towering peaks. This high mountain paradise is crossed by a series of trails upturned by deer and later used by Indians, gold miners and forest rangers.
The Trails

The Bullion Canyon Trails System is made up of five trails. The system is composed of five rugged, periodically maintained, and well-signed trails. They provide the hiker or bicycle rider a 10 to 12 mile round trip loop. The Bullion Canyon Trail System is located on the east side of the Tushars, and can be accessed from three newly constructed trailheads. All are accessible from Marysvale in Piute County. Lower access to the Bullion Canyon Trail System begins at the bridge over Pine Creek on the Bullion Canyon Road (FR-126) just below Miner?s Park near the Bullion Waterfalls.

1. Bullion Canyon Trail (#074) begins at the bridge and goes 5.5 miles to Bullion Pasture. It is intersected by The Pocket and South Fork trails. In July the meadows along the trail are chock-full of wildflowers.
2. South Fork Trail (#072) breaks off from the Bullion Canyon Trail about 2 miles west of the trailhead. It follows the South Fork of Pine Creek through two uphill miles of heavy timber to an abandoned miner's cabin.
3. The Pocket Trail (#216) starts near the South Fork Trail just above the cabin. The trail crosses below breathtaking cliffs and a moraine left by a retreating glacier. it intersections the Bullion Canyon Trail in Bullion Pasture.
4. Delano Trail (#224) links the Pocket Trail and the South Fork Trail.
5. Lake Stream Trail (#219) climbs Mt. Holly and connects the Bullion trail system and the Skyline National Recreation Trail.

These trails are strenuous for the hiker and horse alike. All but the hardiest souls should consider hiking from one of the two upper trailheads down hill.

About two miles up trail 074, the South Fork of Bullion Trail leaves the main trail and climbs steeply to the south for another two miles through thick stands of spruce forest. Turning left at the junction with trail 224, it is two more miles to the Alunite Trailhead at an elevation of 11,200 ft. For those preferring to hike down, the Alunite Trailhead can be accessed either from continuing up FR 126 past the Bullion Canyon Trailhead or up Cottonwood Canyon, about five miles south of Marysvale on US-89. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for either of these roads. Both roads pass numerous remnants of the mining history in the area. Old cabins, mining adits, abandoned mining equipment, and active mining sites, are present as you climb ever upward. As you near the scenery of the Alunite Trailhead, look west to view the jagged, barren eastern slopes of Mt.Holly and Mt. Delano.

Wildflowers grow in the rocks
Destinations from the Pine Creek Bridge

* Lower Bullion Canyon Waterfall - 1 mile
* South Fork Trail Junction - 2 miles
* South Fork Cabin via South Fork Trail - 4 miles
* The Pocket Trail via South Fork Trail 4.5 miles
* Head of Bullion Pasture - 5.5 miles
* Skyline National Recreation Trail via Lake Stream Trail - 7 miles
* Loop using all three trails - 10 to 12 miles

From the bridge (7,840 ft.) the Bullion Canyon Trail (074) rises over 2,800 ft in 5.5 miles to Bullion Pasture (10,690 ft.), the South Fork Cabin (10,360 ft), and The Pocket (10,800 ft). Along the trail travelers will find Bullion Falls, an old miners cabin, the soothing sounds of Pine Creek, and mountain meadows full of wild flowers in July. Two trail junctions connect the Bullion Canyon Trail (074), The South Fork Trail (072) and The Pocket Trail (216). There are trailheads in the Bullion Pasture and on Alunite Ridge.

Old log cabin nestled among tall pine trees
If you turn right at the junction of trails 072 and 224, the trail takes you past another mining cabin, which is in remarkable condition. Trail 224 continues west, beyond the junction with the Pocket Trail, and up across the top of Mt. Delano, the highest peak, and down the Beaver side of the range to Poison Creek and Forest Road 123. If you take the Pocket Trail to the right, you will pass through a moraine, left from a retreating glacier from the last ice age, and across rugged cliffs before dropping down to the main Bullion Canyon Trail at the east end of Bullion Pasture. The Bullion Pasture Trailhead is about a half mile up from this junction. Looking south from Bullion Pasture, the trail user may be lucky enough to see some of the mountain goat herd transplanted to the Tushar Range in the 1970?s.

The Bullion Trailhead can be accessed from Marysvale, on FR 113 or from Beaver, taking SR 153 to the Big John turnoff and traveling on FR 123. Again, a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, or an ATV, as the road from Big John Flat over the top is the main artery of the famous Paiute ATV Trail. Please stay on the trail, as both sides of the road over the top are closed year round to any motorized form of travel. The same travel restrictions apply to all of the Bullion Canyon Trail System.

For those of you that would rather drive, a trip into the Bullion Canyon area would not be complete without taking the time to visit the ?Canyon of Gold? Driving Tour, and the Miner?s Park in Bullion Canyon.

For more information about the Bullion Canyon Trail System, or any of the other scenic mountain trails in the Tushar Mountains, call or visit the Beaver Ranger District office. The phone number is (435) 438-2436 and the location is 575 South Main Street in Beaver, Utah. If you are in the Bullion area, the friendly folks in Marysvale will be happy to give you directions and answer any questions you have.

Safety Concerns

* People and animals must be healthy and in better-than-average physical condition. The trails are steep and strenuous.
* The trail is snowbound most of the year and large drifts can be found in the trees even in late July.
* The trail crosses slick rock at the top of the switchbacks above the waterfalls and at the head of a drainage just north of The Pocket. Horses should be WALKED across these sections of the trail.
* Creek water looks pure, but chances are it contains giardia. Do not drink the water unless you purify it first.
* In case of emergency dial 911 if you have a cell phone. If not, follow the trail or the creek and hike downhill. This will bring you to the Bullion Canyon Road and help.
* Do not enter mine tunnels or shafts.

Please...

* Be careful with fire
* Pack out all that you bring in
* Respect our mining heritage - do not collect artifacts or deface historic buildings
* Enjoy the beauty of this land

More Information

Brochures and maps are available at the Miner's Park, Bullion Pasture, and Alunite Ridge Trailheads and at Fishlake National Forest offices.

The Bullion Canyon Trail System can also be access from three trailheads. The first is located just off of Forest Road 123 at Bullion Pasture below Mt. Belknap. The second trailhead is just west of the Alunite Mill site and Forest Road 126. The third is located one mile west of the Pine Creek Bridge.

For up-to-date trail conditions and other important information contact the Beaver Ranger District before you begin your hike.

Beaver Ranger District
Fishlake National Forest
P.O. Box E
575 South Main St.
Beaver, UT 84713
(435) 438-2436