If
you want an interesting place to take the kids (or yourself), don't
mind doing a little hiking, and want to stand on top of the San Andres
Fault....then this is the place for you.
Trail Head
Wallace Creek trail head is on Elkhorn Rd about 5-6 miles from Seven Mile Road. Elkhorn is a dirt road which has turned washed board due to the traffic. The less time you can drive on the road, the better. Another way to get to Wallace Creek is by taking Belmont Trail or ArrowBear Trail from Soda Lake Road to Elkhorn, turn right and go for about 2-3 miles. BE SURE TO TAKE WATER.
Sign on Elkhorn Rd In Parking Lot looking at trail
The Trail
The trail leads from the parking area towards Wallace Creek. When you arrive at the creek it is generally dry but there is a interpretive sign explaining the creek shift and the shifting plates on either side of the fault line. The trail goes up a small hill where you will find a post with the #1. This corresponds to the locations on the interpretative sign and is the best place to see the creek shift. This trail continues to follow the creek to a higher elevation. There is another trail that starts by the interpretative sign and goes to the right. There are also post markers on this trail where the fault has shifted other streams.
Change in Wallace Creek due to Fault shift Picture of creek shift looking towards valley
Wallace Creek Lower trail Wallace Creek Upper Trail
Trail Head
Wallace Creek trail head is on Elkhorn Rd about 5-6 miles from Seven Mile Road. Elkhorn is a dirt road which has turned washed board due to the traffic. The less time you can drive on the road, the better. Another way to get to Wallace Creek is by taking Belmont Trail or ArrowBear Trail from Soda Lake Road to Elkhorn, turn right and go for about 2-3 miles. BE SURE TO TAKE WATER.
Sign on Elkhorn Rd In Parking Lot looking at trail
The Trail
The trail leads from the parking area towards Wallace Creek. When you arrive at the creek it is generally dry but there is a interpretive sign explaining the creek shift and the shifting plates on either side of the fault line. The trail goes up a small hill where you will find a post with the #1. This corresponds to the locations on the interpretative sign and is the best place to see the creek shift. This trail continues to follow the creek to a higher elevation. There is another trail that starts by the interpretative sign and goes to the right. There are also post markers on this trail where the fault has shifted other streams.
Change in Wallace Creek due to Fault shift Picture of creek shift looking towards valley
Wallace Creek Lower trail Wallace Creek Upper Trail