CONGER MOUNTAINS HERD MANAGEMENT AREA

(Information and graphics courtesy of BLM, Salt Lake District Office)

The Conger Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) is located 75 miles west of Delta. The HMA is bounded by old Highway 50 & 6 (Cowboy Pass) on the north and the new U.S. 50 and 6 (King Canyon) on the south. Horses can be viewed from any of the main roads within the HMA.

The HMA contains 147,000 acres of federal and state lands.

The vegetation on the upper slopes of the Conger Mountains is comprised of mountain brush and juniper communities. Lower slopes are dominated by shadscale/ricegrass and low sagebrush types.

The original source of this herd is unknown. However many of the horses In the Conger Herd are descendants of horses that were turned loose or excaped from local ranches.

This herd is being managed to maintain the black, roan, palomino, and dun colors.

The wild horses on the Congers average 13 to 14 hands tall and 700 to 1,000 pounds.

The BLM management goal for this herd is to maintain a herd size between 60 and 100 head.

BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR VIEWING

Travel west from Delta on US Highways 50 & 6 approximately 75 miles to Little Valley Road (milepost 16). Turn north on Little Valley Road and travel approximately 8 miles to the Skunk Springs (Camp Canyon) Road. Horses can usually be found in the vicinity of Conger Springs, Camp Canyon and Skunk Springs. Another area horses can be viewed is in the vicinity of Knoll Springs. To reach this area, turn north from US 50 & 6 at the Elksdale turnoff near milepost 8. Travel approximately 15 miles to the intersection of Knoll Springs and old Highway 50 & 6. Horses can be viewed on the slopes east of Knoll Springs and on the benches south of Cowboy Pass.

Roads are maintained gravel roads, traversable with care in dry weather by passenger cars. Travel off main roads requires high clearance vheicles. Horse viewing areas are generally not accessible during periods of wet weather or heavy snow accumulation. Much of this area is within the Conger Mountains Wilderness Study Area. Vehicle travel within the study area is restricted to existing roads. (Contact the Warm Springs Resource Area office at (801) 743-6811, for vehicle access information and road conditions for the unimproved roads.)

Wild horses are naturally wary. They are best viewed with binoculars at a distance. When approached, they will normally spook and run for cover.