Green River Gap

The view into Green River Gap from the East

Photo/Bureau of Land Management

Quick Facts

Location:

Grand County, Utah, East Trailhead: (38.959, -109.910) West Trailhead: (38.972, -109.974)

Significance:

Green River Gap served as an alternate route for travelers because of its potential water sources.

MANAGED BY:

BLM Moab Field Office

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto

Between 1829 and 1848, pack mule caravans and travelers used the Old Spanish Trail as a trade route between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California, which were part of Northern Mexico at the time. Because of the particularly dry and difficult landscape of the Book Cliffs area, water was a crucial resource for travelers. Green River Gap became an alternate route to take as it could potentially provide water.

Though use of the Old Spanish Trail largely ended at the time of the Mexican American War, a few groups would continue to use the Green River Gap route. For example, the Loring Expedition, comprised of Col. William Wing Loring and over 200 troops, traveled through Green River Gap in 1858 to fight for the United States during the Utah War.

Site Information

Location (East Trailhead: 38.959, -109.910,-109.910) (West Trailhead: 38.972, -109.974.)

Green River Gap is located in Grand County, Utah off of Highway 6 between Green River and Cisco. The surrounding landscape is dry and filled with sagebrush and cottonwood trees. As you travel here, you’ll pass through parts of the San Rafael Swell, a large geologic area that has been uplifted and eroded over time.

The Green River Gap trail is a 5-mile one-way trail that could also serve as a quick out and back hike to view the scenery from the top of the hill. Open to both hikers and equestrian users, this trail would offer visitors a vicarious experience of traveling through the remote foothills of the Book Cliffs, a landscape which remains very similar to the one original trail travelers would have experienced on their journey. Because the West trailhead is not accessible to trailers, horseback riders and others with large vehicles will need to access the Gap from the East trailhead.

The difficulty of the trail is rated as moderate. It is fairly level, though there is no water or shade. A small pull-off is available near the interpretive sign for parking.

The John Wesley Powell River History Museum is located near to this site. Learn more about the history of southeast Utah and the lasting impact the Colorado and Green Rivers have had on the communities which grew along their paths. 

Safety Considerations

More Site Information 

Exhibit Audio Description available

Old Spanish National Historic Trail

• Green River Gap Exhibit Audio Description

  
  

  Listen to the audio description of the Green River Gap exhibit.
  Audio Transcript

  The exhibit is placed at a 45-degree angle a few feet off the ground and is 36 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Horse and Hatch Mesa, two cliff faces that make up part of what is known as the Book Cliffs, are seen in the distance.

  The exhibit has a textured background resembling black and dark gray rock layers. Two red horizontal accents frame the elements of the panel.

  Title: Looking for Water in the Book Cliffs Primary Text: Between 1829 and 1848, pack mule caravans and travelers used the Old Spanish Trail as a trade route between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California, both part of Northern Mexico at the time. On this particularly difficult portion of the trail along the Book Cliffs, water was a crucial resource for travelers and their livestock. Green River Gap became an additional route as it may have provided water at Trough Spring located northeast of the gap. Springs like these could provide needed relief but were not always reliable. Water quality varied from one moment to the next and availability varied by the seasons. Ultimately, Old Spanish Trail traders knew they needed to venture into difficult landscapes to find water.

  Map Below Primary Text: Title: Hiking and Equestrian Information On opposite sides of the map are the starting points for both the East and West Green River Gap Trailheads. They are connected by the Green River Gap Trail highlighted in green. The Old Spanish Trail runs alongside it and is highlighted in red. Several geologic features are labeled, including the Horse and Hatch Mesas through which Green River Gap runs. Trough Spring is also marked in the top right of the map.

  Caption: Green River Gap is a 5-mile, one-way trail open to hiking and horseback riding. The trail is moderately difficult with no shade or water resources. This hike follows the Old Spanish Trail. Beyond this trailhead lies a nearly unaltered landscape.

  Secondary Text: In 1858, Colonel William W. Loring traveled from Fort Union, New Mexico to Northern Utah with over 200 troops to fight for the United States during the Utah War. Loring and his troops used the Old Spanish Trail and their army wagons left marks on the land. Look for them on the slopes and washes you cross. Photograph to the left of Secondary Text: There is a small sepia-toned portrait of Colonel William W. Loring. The top of his head is balding, and he has a large English mustache and a goatee. Features for more information: At the bottom right of the panel is a block containing text and a QR code. Text with QR code: Learn more about these sites. https://www.nps.gov/olsp/index.htm Audio description available  https://www.nps.gov/places/green-river-gap.htm Bottom Red Banner: Text: Explore the Old Spanish Trail Text with QR code:  Download the explorer app to go on a self-led adventure following the Old Spanish Trail. Maps can be downloaded and used offline. A black silhouette is set to the right of the text block. It shows a man with a cowboy hat sitting on top of a pack mule, with two other mules behind him in line attached by ropes. Website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/places/green-river-gap.htm