Hog Ranch Trail

Sections of the trail can be difficult to follow. Look for cairns and blazes marking the trail. Mosquitoes are prevalent in spring and early summer. Wear a long sleeve shirt and pants and use insect repellent. The weather can change quickly. Be prepared for cold weather year-round. Ridges, saddles, viewpoints and open meadows are dangerous during thunderstorms.

The Trailhead: From Escalante drive west on Hwy 12. Turn right on the dirt road between milepost 55 and 56 and cross the Escalante River. After a short distance, make a right on the road signed “Barker CG.” This is forest road 149 (FR 149). Continue of FR 149 for 9.1 miles. Turn right on FR 152. The trailhead is 4.5 miles beyond this junction on the left (north) side of the road. 

The Trail: From the trailhead take the old road for .40 miles. Keep an eye out for where the trail leaves the road to the left. The trail descends a short distance then begins to climb up a boulder strewn hillside. At .80 miles you will come into an open area. Look for rock cairns to guide you through the meadow. Pass under the lone pine tree then continue following rock cairns. An old trail leaves the meadow to the right, this is not the trail. Look to the left, straight up the meadow, and you will see rock cairns and a large blaze at the far end of the meadow. This is the trail. At 1.20 miles turn right on an old road at the junction of the Beck Hollow Tr. No. 031. At 1.30 miles turn right at the sign. The trail climbs for another .75 miles until it joins the Pine Creek Section of the Great Western Trail No. 001.6.