The Sheep Creek Scenic Backway, designated a State of Utah Scenic Backway in December of 1990, crosses the highly acclaimed Sheep Creek Geological Area adjacent to the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. The Backway provides the traveler with outstanding views of twisted, colorful geological formations which rise above like city skyscrapers.
The Geological Area, designated as such by the U.S. Forest Service on May 13, 1962, includes the Uinta Crest Fault, which represents millions of years of the Earth's history. The fault, trending in a generally east-west direction, forms the center of this area. On the south side of the fault the Earth's crust has been raised upward over 15,000 feet. Subsequent erosion has greatly reduced the upturned sedimentary strata north of the fault. Several of these formations are clearly exposed within the geological area.
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| Facilities: |
The Backway is a 10 mile loop that is mostly paved. Short sections of the canyon road have been graveled due to road deterioration. There are two campgrounds with vault toilets, but no drinking water. |
| Directions: |
The northern end of the loop begins 4.6 miles south of Manila on Highway 44 at Sheep Creek Gap and Forest Service Road #218. The southern end of the loop begins at the Junction of Highway 44 and Forest Service Road #218. The southern terminus is located 15.6 miles west of the junction of Highways 191 and 44.
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| Coordinates: |
Map Coordinates (NAD83): 40 55.851N; 109 43.914W. |
| Weather: |
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