My tires grabbed onto the sandy trail with the engine revving up in four-wheel low as I twisted and turned alongside a small range of sandy pyramids, tailings left over from the mining era. All of a sudden, up ahead, I saw what appeared to be just a tiny opening between two sand fins. I carefully pointed the nose of my Jeep Rubicon between them, cresting the top of the hill and straining my neck to peer over the hood, to see where the road went next.
Five Mile Pass, located in the desert about 15 miles west of Utah Lake, is a maze of old mining roads in the southern foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains under the shadow of Eagle Hill. Thanks to the Rocky Mountain Extreme 4×4 club, there is a network of snake-named Jeep trails on the western side which offers everything from a fun weekend drive to the rig-challenging Wayne’s World and an adventurous climb up to Eagle’s Nest (not for the faint of heart).
Earlier that morning, the piercing light of dawn was just reflecting off the fields of sunflowers as I found my way to the trailhead. Rattlesnake was a new trail for me, seemingly safe as I had no trail mates today — just my 2011 Jeep Rubicon. It’s a great trail if you have a little experience off road and are looking to improve your skills — a 3.5+ according to Rocky Mountain Extreme.
Right off the bat, the trail started twisting through mazes of boulders. Tire placement is critical on all the trails at Five Mile Pass. Erosion down the fall line causes you to have to straddle two-foot crevasses up the roadway in spots, and gullies crossing the road force you to always be attentive — or be in for a jolt.
Rattlesnake follows Sunshine Canyon, named after the mining boom town from 130 years ago. The region is littered with old mines, most sealed up with concrete and rebar. Mining began when soldiers from the disbanded Camp Floyd nearby were released from duty, some heading to the hills to find their fortune. The town of Sunshine sprung up in the late 1800s, mining for only around 20 years before the town was shuttered.
Rattlesnake winds through a series of tailings piles left from the mining era, their yellow ochre color standing out well against the green junipers covering the hillsides. The area is a maze of trails so having a digital map with GPS tracking is a must. While crossing over to Constrictor at the end of Rattlesnake is possible, unless you have the experience I would find another way to the top.
Reaching the top, the rewards for a hard morning on the trail were stunning views along the ridge lines around Eagle Hill, looking out at the expanse of Cedar Valley to the east and Rush Valley to the west. Down below in Sacramento Gulch was the ghost town of Mercur, another mining relic from the past.
Rattlesnake is a fun run — a great test for your budding off-road skills.
Oh, and I never did see any rattlesnakes.
DETAILS
Getting There: Head west out of Lehi on S.R. 73, passing through Eagle Mountain and Cedar Fort. There are myriad trailheads. For Rattlesnake, drive 2.25 miles past the Tooele County line. The trail will be on your right. Do let someone back home know where you’re going and when you’ll be out.
Maps: Download the trails to your phone’s GPS app in advance — I like GaiaGPS.com. You can download actual trail routes from trailsoffroad.com — excellent maps with detailed waypoints.
Vehicle: These trails are perfect for Jeeps and ATVs, a bit less so for bigger rigs. For Rattlesnake, you’ll need a little clearance and good tires. For the Constrictor trail, and the Wayne’s World and Eagle Nest obstacles, you’ll want a more rugged rig, experience and an accompanying vehicle.
Dining: Bring plenty of water and snacks – this is a desert run with no services. On your way home, stop in nearby Fairfield to visit the Camp Floyd State Park where cold drinks and snacks are available.