This is some bone jarring 4 wheeling. Believe me, when you get through playing in American Fork Canyon, you will be ready to relax. Mineral Basin is the canyon just to the north of Miller Hill. It is some of the hardest 4 wheeling I've found in northern Utah. Just after passing the old Pacific mine you start into the Rock Garden. It is not intended for stock vehicles or the faint of heart!

By going on top of the tailings pile at Pacific mine, you see a hidden road going off to the south. This road winds up to the top of Miller Hill. On top of the mountain is George Tyng's grave. Old George Tyng had been quite an adventurer in his life and in his later years owned a couple of mines on Miller Hill. One winter, an avalanche smashed through his cabin, killing him instantly. The miners that worked for Tyng loved the old man and they braved the harsh winter and the many avalanches and took his body into American Fork, Utah. When Tyng's will was read, it was discovered that he wished to be buried in a beautiful meadow at the top of Miller Hill overlooking Mineral Basin. The miners took Tyng's body back up to Miller Hill and buried him there.

The roads in Mineral Basin and on Miller Hill are not suited for stock vehicles. Only quality four wheel drive vehicles with experienced drivers will be able to get through the Rock Garden. And even then, broken vehicle parts and dents can be expected. The roads up Miller Hill are very narrow and wider wheel base vehicles should be careful to not get too close to the edge for fear of rolling off of the mountain. This is very remote location and if you have trouble it would take some time for anyone to find you and several hours for emergency crews to come to your aid. When going to a place such as this, if you are without a companion vehicle, be sure to let someone know where you will be and when you are expected to return. Do NOT enter old mine shafts! These old mines are unstable and could collapse. They may also have poisonous gasses and hidden shafts. There have been people in the recent past killed by falling in hidden shafts. Don't chance your life by going in the mines!

Damage from this Trail:

Bent new wheel on the rocks in the Rock Garden
Broke the radio antenna off my truck

On the way up looking east toward Heber, UT	Looking west toward our final destination	This is beautiful country	The old Pacific Mine marks the beginning of our adventure
This is the beginning of the Rock Garden	This is tough stuff!	It quickly gets harder	This is some awesome 4 wheeling
Take your tires over the big stuff	These boulders would tear the bumper off of most cars	Here is a little better angle DON'T try this at home!	My brother-in-law's Mitsubishi did pretty well!
No lift on this truck but the short wheelbase helps			He gets his tire in the air
The scenery here is wonderful	Not many people can get up here	Our Forest Service wants to shut places like this off	The fall foliage was breathtaking
Not long and this will all be snowed in	Time to come down	I walk out to get a good photo of the bull moose	When he takes a look at me its time to turn back
As we round the corner we see the cow moose in back	If only the mountains could tell the history	What's left of someone's home	Could this be where George Tyng lived and died?
This is one of the hardest places I've ever gone	No one could tell me how to get here		George Tyng must have been quite a fellow
Tibble Fork Reservoir and pavement back to Am. Fork	Find out more about George Tyng - Click Here

Click Here to Go to the Next Adventure

Click Here to Go Back to My Exploring Page

Click Here to Go Back to My Homepage