ADVENTURE #13

In 1922, A.H. Hood — an early renewable energy advocate — started an ambitious project to construct a wind-powered electric generator atop Pahvant Butte. The vision was to create a gigantic single turbine set on a circular track to harness the wind’s power. Hood persuaded investors that Pahvant Butte was the ideal location for his wind-powered plant. However, local legends suggest the project went bankrupt, and that Hood was later imprisoned for mail fraud. 

Although the project was never completed, the concrete pillars and generator house remain, and the mysterious ruins have earned the nickname “Utah’s Stonehenge.” The site features 40 obelisks arranged in two concentric circles, with heights ranging up to 14 feet, all perfectly aligned at the same elevation. At the center stands a concrete pillbox, now a canvas for graffiti artists and a spot for storytelling.

Visitors usually stay and explore the site for an hour or so. Here’s what you need to know leading up to the visit:

What to bring: Wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven terrain, and bring plenty of water and sun protection. Consider packing a picnic and eating it on the hill to make the most of the trip.

Accessibility: The site is best accessed by ATV or on foot, although a family car with four-wheel drive can typically make the trek.

Remnants of history: Visitors are free to roam around the concrete pillars and generator house that remain from Hood’s project. However, please refrain from adding to the graffiti and avoid climbing on the structures so they last for many years to come.

Cost: Free

Dog-friendly: Yes

Amenities: None

The Pahvant Valley Heritage Trail is a collection of eight points of interest that engage visitors in the preservation and stewardship of public land. It features a mix of driving routes and hiking trails, offering recreationists opportunities to explore Millard County’s rich cultural and natural heritage. The trail winds its way through the Pahvant Valley and Sevier Desert, taking visitors to several geologic curiosities and historical sites, including: 

• Old Fort Deseret
• Great Stone Face
• Sunstone Knoll
• Clear Lake
• Devil’s Kitchen Petroglyphs
• Pahvant Butte
• Lace Curtain
• Lava Tubes

This trail aims to encourage heritage tourism in Millard County and allow the BLM to engage and educate the public outdoors.

The trail can be explored in a few hours or an entire day, depending on how many points of interest you choose to visit and how long you spend at each location.

What to bring: The trail is in a desert region, so prepare for extreme temperatures. Bring sun protection, plenty of water, and lightweight clothing. Your gear should be appropriate for hiking and rockhounding and include sturdy shoes, gloves, and a rock hammer. Ensure you have plenty of snacks for the day.

Accessibility: Most points of interest along the Pahvant Valley Heritage Trail are accessible via dirt roads. All-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended in those locations. The road to the Lava Tubes is best driven with an all-terrain vehicle.

Cost: Access to the trail and its sites is free, but some areas might require permits or fees for specific activities, like rockhounding on state lands. There are no official tour guides, but local visitor centers can provide maps and additional information to enhance your self-guided tour.

Amenities: The trail mostly traverses rural and undeveloped areas. Amenities such as restrooms, water, and food are scarce, so it’s advisable to bring your own supplies.

Admire the Mysterious “Great Stone Face” of Millard County

The Great Stone Face is part of the Pahvant Heritage Trail. It’s a towering basalt pillar on the rugged black lava beds of the Sevier Desert shaped by nature. From the valley floor, it is 150 feet to the top. Once you reach the base of the Great Stone Face, however, its apex stands 35 feet from the ground. 

The stone bears an uncanny resemblance to a human profile, and many visitors are struck by its likeness to a historical figure. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the formation’s profile has been said to mirror the image of Joseph Smith, the first modern-day prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can also find petroglyphs at the bottom of the hill.