OFF THE BEATEN PATH: A Nearly Forgotten Pioneer Trail

Editor’s Note: The Moapa Valley Area is surrounded by scenic outdoor destinations that are a bit off the beaten path. For some, these are common places to visit. But many living in the area, or visiting often, may not know anything about them. This series of articles is meant to highlight a few of these hidden gems that are right here in our neighborhood.

By STEPHANIE BUNKER

Moapa Valley Progress

The old Huntsman Trail is a long forgotten piece of Moapa Valley History that still exists, but is slowly fading away beneath bushes and cacti on the Mormon Mesa. It was the main pioneer wagon road from Bunkerville into the old town of St. Joseph, the original name of Logandale. The Huntsman Trail branches off the Spanish Trail as it crests the East side of the Mormon Mesa.

According to historical journals, pioneers would follow the Virgin River south, with the daunting Bunkerville Mountain on one side and the Mormon Mesa on the other. Travelers made an abrupt right turn and traveled up Half Way Wash for several miles to a finger extending off the east side of the Mormon Mesa.

Pioneers called this intimidating ascent the Virgin Hill. The wagons worked their way up the steep rocky finger until they reached a nearly vertical rocky ledge. Some road improvements were made since the pioneer times, but it still looks rather gruesome. The last original section of the trail still appears intact as it branches off the mildly improved trail at the crest.

Standing next to the lonely Spanish Trail concrete marker, the location seems ordinary until history brings it to life.

A dramatic wagon ascent in the early 1870’s is recorded in the book, “Muddy Valley Reflections,” Volume 2 compiled by “Beezy” Tobiasson and Georgia Hall. Recorded as the journal entry of Elizabeth Claridge McCune, it can be found on page 312-313. This pioneer is an ancestor of Wendy Mulcock a Logandale resident. Elizabeth tells of her devastation when their wagon tongue broke, just as they attempted to crest the mesa. This sent the wagon, along with her chest of highly treasured dresses, tumbling down the rocky face, dashing onto the boulders below. She was devastated as high winds scattered her dresses, and their familys’ precious commodities, including flour, across the boulder strewn hillside. This dashed the hopes of a young girl and her family.

Moapa resident Elise McAllister passed along another Hunstman Trail account from her relation Emerson Leavitt. She listened as Leavitt told his account of traveling the Huntsman Trail as a young child. According to McAllister, Leavitt enjoyed visiting Bunkerville except for the piece of trail jutting out from the mesa. She said they had to get out and help push the cart up and over the steep incline on their journey home.

For those explorers interested in visiting this site, there are two different routes to choose. You can travel over the actual Huntsman trail or take the power line road across the mesa to Virgin Hill. Both begin at approximately the power substation just above the Clark County Fairgrounds

The Power line Route: (30 minutes and 4-wheel drive vehicle required) Begin at the power line substation. Take the well traveled dirt road following the power lines heading east up the mesa. Follow the power line road all the way across the mesa; turn left at the mesa’s edge onto another dirt road. Skirt the perimeter of the mesa and look for the concrete Spanish Trail marker in about a mile. This is your destination. A little walk down off the mesa’s edge will give an appreciation for horses pulling a wagon up the steep face.

The Huntsman Trail Route: (1 hour of rough road, OHV’s recommended) Beginning from the same power substation, take a less traveled road to the left that heads northeast toward the Mormon Mesa and follow it as it snakes up the face of the mesa. When you crest the mesa, take the left fork but only for a few yards until a trail to the right can be seen; this is the Huntsman Trail. Follow it northeast all the way across the mesa. The trail starts out visible but soon fades, only to reappear and disappear multiple times. Much guessing and bush dodging is required as the trail continues traveling in a straight line, approximately northeast, until you reach your destination across the mesa at the Spanish Trail marker.