Driving Cow Dung Road to Mars Station and Dinosaur Quarry - Hanksville Utah

Cow Dung Road (Hwy 110) is an easy to drive well-maintained dirt road that offers some incredible views of the very unique desert landscape. Just over 2 miles in, is a neat boulder field and canyon to navigate through. Just North of this, you'll briefly cross from BLM land to State land then back to BLM. In the state section, you'll pass the "Mars Society Desert Research Station". Please be respectful as this is a restricted area. As with any desert environment, practice caution in raining/flash flood conditions. This trail crosses a few washes that could be hazardous or dangerous. A high clearance vehicle is recommended but 4 WD is not required. Although, I wouldn't take a sedan on this road.The route ends at the Hanksville-Burpee dinosaur quarry, one of the largest prehistoric bone beds in North America.
The Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry, located in the Morrison Formation, is one of the largest prehistoric bone beds in North America. This spectacular Jurassic period site (150 million - 145 million years old) contains hundreds of dinosaurs and at least fifteen different species discovered by the paleontology team from the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford, Illinois.
This write-up was copied from”Onxmaps.com” on 02/01/23 which also provided the “Opening Map” sequence for this video of the Cow Dung Road. Here is a link to their website: www.onxmaps.co...

[@travellingironhat]

Last year I was in Hanksville and I enjoyed this kind of landscape - thx for sharing the Drive - next time I am heading to Hanksville I make a turn and try this road

[@cactushill]

Sounds great and thanks for watching...Much appreciated!

[@SiarlW]

That was great. Beautiful country. What a life! Lucky dog 🐶

[@cactushill]

Thanks for the great comment. Yes, we are blessed to be able to get out and about and see this beautiful country. Thanks again for viewing and commenting on our channel. It is sincerely appreciated!

[@lynnnorthrup8914]

Thanks for being my subscriber 100!😀 We’re headed to Hanksville tomorrow and doing Skyline Overlook. Also doing Hidden Splendor Mine plus Behind the Reef road. Good with acquiring the new drone.😀👍

[@cactushill]

Wow...Number 100! I am honored. I hope we can both get to 1000 one of these days. I haven't been on Hidden Splendor or Behind the Reef. Are you planning on posting videos for one or both? As far as the drone, I need to make a decision soon as in May we are going to SE Utah for 10 days and I want to have it for that trip. Have fun in and around Hanksville. Stop at Stan's Burger Shack in Hanksville. They have good burgers.

[@lynnnorthrup8914]

@@cactushill Yes, hopefully we’ll get enough footage for multiple videos. Stan’s is the plan for lunch on Friday! Getting my new drone early in April. 😀👍

[@iammmmwLOCATIONS]

first time to see your channel Nice music

[@cactushill]

Ron...Thanks for the wonderful comment and viewing our channel. It is sincerely appreciated!

[@cathymaxcy3391]

I want to buy a 4x4 SUV so I can drive the roads that you do. My father has passed and left me some money. I want something with high clearance and a powerful engine like an 8 cylinder. I was wondering if you might have any suggestions.

[@cactushill]

Cathy...My suggestion would be to visit several local "4X4" shops in your area and ask a lot of questions. Also, get in touch with any Off-Roading clubs in your area. Off-Roading in Southern Utah could be very different than where you live. Personally, I don't think you would need a V8 engine. Off-Roading is more about generating torque and not necessarily about horsepower. We built our 2014 Jeep from the "Inside Out" (Things you can't necessarily see). We upgraded the axles, gearing and installed "Lockers". We also installed an air compressor so we could "Air Down" as needed. The lift for more ground clearance was the last major upgrade we did along with larger more aggressive tires. Also, are you planning on doing any "Over-landing"? That would be a factor in what type of vehicle you acquire. I am partial to Jeeps and they do have a model that has a 392 Hemi V8. Although, I understand that the "Transfer" case doesn't hold up very well. I know two people that had to replace the transfer case with less than 40,000 miles of use. The new Jeeps have a lot of what we added as "Standard" accessories especially in the "Rubicon" line. Anyway, do a thorough search on what you need so you can get the vehicle that best suits your needs. Thanks for commenting and viewing our channel...It is sincerely appreciated!

[@cathymaxcy3391]

@@cactushill Thanks for your advice. After researching new 4WDs I was shocked by how much new ones cost. With that in minde I decided that a used one would fit my budget better. Then I realized that My dad's truck is a 2011 4WD Tahoe with a towing package and he took really good care of it. So, DUH, I've decided I'll keep it. I'm not used to driving something that big, but I'll get used to it.

[@histolee]

Great video, music, and detailed explanation.

[@cactushill]

Thanks for the wonderful comment and viewing our channel. It is sincerely appreciated!

[@mccallfineart7589]

Great video! Love it and will soon take the same journey on our next visit in mid may. Now for some ideas....how about mentioning the time of day in your videos and even the time of the year. That would help. Then how about showing or mentioning the direction you are moving toward. Maybe even a N,S,E,W superimposed direction on the video? I really believe your videos are some of the very best Utah adventures to follow on KZbin! Thank You.

[@cactushill]

Thanks for the wonderful comment. I am still learning video editing and how to put together a "Story" when I publish a video. I try to put in the general time of the year when they are filmed but I don't always succeed. As far as the travel direction, I will put a note in my "Production Outline/Template" that I do for each video so I can include that information and time of the year. Thanks again for the positive comment and helpful suggestions. It is sincerely appreciated!

[@headlessspaceman5681]

The only thing that could spoil this place is posting its location in a youtube video

[@cactushill]

Thanks for commenting and watching our video...Much appreciated!

[@stephenbrady7310]

@@cactushill Thank you so much!!! So beautiful! Those of us that live a world away just appreciate that places like this exist! Thank you again!!!!

[@cactushill]

@@stephenbrady7310 Thank you so much for the wonderful comment. My wife & I feel truly blessed to be able to go on these adventures and share them here on KZbin for others to enjoy. Thanks again for commenting and viewing our channel. It is sincerely appreciated!