Head Rock on the Old Spanish Trail

Looking up at Head Rock on the Old Spanish Trail.

Photo/Isobel Lingenfelter

Quick Facts

Location:

Head Rock, Emery County, Utah (39.122989,-110.457154)

Significance:

A waypoint the Gunnison Expedition used to know they were following the right path on the Old Spanish Trail.

MANAGED BY:

Bureau of Land Management, Price Field Office

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Head Rock was a landmark used primarily by the Gunnison Expedition of 1853 as they traveled across the western US. During this time, journeys in this area were more difficult because explorers had to rely on printed maps and the guidance of other travelers. To put it in perspective, imagine having to traverse a land you’ve never visited before without modern amenities like GPS or a smartphone. To prevent getting lost and stay on the right track, travelers would use unique landmarks, like Head Rock, to know they were on the right path, which in this case was the Old Spanish Trail. When they saw Head Rock, they knew to start heading west rather than continuing north. Given the climate and limited provisions you might have, a wrong turn could be disastrous if you strayed from the path to long.

Site Information

Location (Latitude: 39.122989 Longitude: -110.457154)

 

Head Rock is located in Emery County, Utah along the northern limits of the San Rafael Swell. It sits on a sandstone rock face that can clearly be seen from the Old Spanish Trail. The ‘head’ sticks out from the surrounding rock making it stand out. A large jutting rock resembles a nose, which seems to be the most prominent facial feature of Head Rock. Two eyes and a stern flat mouth consisting of natural horizontal lines from weatherization give the face a solemn expression.

The landscape surrounding Head Rock is very 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, creating many valleys, canyons, mesas, and buttes that can be observed the further you venture in.

Getting to this area requires 4WD and high clearance at a minimum and is impassible during or after rain. Plan trips accordingly as this site is a remote one with no amenities. A small pull-off is available near the interpretive sign for parking. As you make your way to this site, you may find other cultural sites and evidence of Old Spanish Trail travelers. Stone culverts, railroad grades, and dugways can be found all through this area, particularly on the ATV trails.

Safety Considerations

More Site Information 

Exhibit Audio Description available

Old Spanish National Historic Trail

• Emery County - Head Rock on the Old Spanish Trail Exhibit Audio Description

  
  

  Listen to the audio description of the Emery County - Head Rock on the Old Spanish Trail exhibit.

  Date created:

  09/09/2021

  Audio Transcript

  This exhibit is placed at a 45-degree angle a few feet off the ground. A cliff face is seen in the distance. The exhibit is 36 inches wide and 24 inches tall. Title: Landmarks Led the way. The exhibit has a textured background resembling black and dark gray rock layers. Two red horizontal banners frame the elements of the panel. There is a block of text above a map with a description. To the right is a large photograph of a large sandstone rock on a cliff and a clear blue background. The rocks are layered in a way that makes it look like a head with a long face, a big nose, and furrowed eyebrows. Caption: What do you think? Could you identify Head Rock if you were traveling on the Old Spanish Trail? Above the photograph is a black and white sketch of Head Rock. Caption: Original 1853 sketch by Richard Kern, a geologist with the Gunnison Expedition. Primary Text: In 1853 an expedition led by John W. Gunnison ventured into the American West for exploration on behalf of the United States government in search of a viable railroad route. They traveled on parts of the Old Spanish Trail and relied on landmarks to help guide them across this area. They followed the northern segment of the trail, crossing the landscape where you stand today. Head Rock, seen straight ahead, is an example of a landmark travelers would use. Map below Primary Text: Title: Routes of the Old Spanish Trail. The map shows the four routes of the Old Spanish Trail across the Western United States, spanning from New Mexico to California. The different routes, the Northern Route, the Armijo Route, the Northern Branch, and the Mojave Road, converge and separate at various places along the trail. Along the trail, major cities are labeled. A red square indicates that you are on the Northern Route section in east-central Utah. Caption: The Old Spanish National Historic Trail spans thousands of miles across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Between 1829 and 1848, New Mexican traders used pack mules to bring woven goods to California. There, they would trade their goods for horses and mules. The North Branch and Northern Route became successful, well-used routes. Features for more information: Beneath the map there are two blocks containing text and QR codes. Text block 1 with QR code: Learn more about these sites. https://www.nps.gov/olsp/index.htm

  Text block 2 with QR code: Audio description available go.nps.gov/HeadRockUT

  Bottom Red Banner:

  Text: Explore the Old Spanish Trail.

  Text Block 3 with QR code: Travel the trail with the Explorer app to go on a self-guiding adventure! Maps can be downloaded and used offline.

  A black silhouette set to the right of the text block 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.