Historic Sites and Scenic Areas - Iron County

Jefferson Hunt

As an experienced frontiersman, Jefferson Hunt agreed to lead a group of gold miners and pioneers to California in 1849. Why he took a short cut at Beavers Creek into the Escalante Desert now Escalante Valley in October will never be known.
Leading 107 wagons in the hot and dusty desert frustrated followers. One hundred or more deserted him and turned back.
The Jefferson Hunt Monument symbolizes a turning point in this historic trek of the Death Valley.

Head west on Route 56 west of Cedar City, Utah about 30 miles until you reach the town of New Castle, Utah. On the Main Street in New Castle travel south and continue along until you reach Bench Road at the south end of town. At the Iron County and Washington County line is a dirt road with a sign.

The Old Spanish Trail sign indicates the monument and its location, just about ½ mile away. You can drive right up to it. Also, there is land available to buy at this location along The Old Spanish Trail.

• The Dominguez-Escalante Expeditions Journal:

Through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico in 1776

• I Walked to Zion:
- Young Pioneers on the Mormon Trail

• The Gathering of Zion:
- The Story of the Mormon Trail

• National Geographic's Guide to:
- Lewis and Clark Trail

• Hiking Historic Trails
- Utah's Favorite Hiking Trails

• Scenic Driving - Travel guides
- Scenic Driving in Utah

• Historical reading
- The Old Spanish Trail

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