Juab has a lot of land to explore

The fact that the springs hold the only trees within 25 miles of the nearest water makes it a natural draw to passing birds. Fish Springs covers about 17,992 acres, of which 10,000 acres are marshlands.

Toward the western side of the county is the Deep Creek Mountain Range. This is a very remote mountain range. The best way into the range, in fact, is by way of Wendover, Nev.

Many consider the range a biological island. It is home to Utah's only native species of trout, the Utah cutthroat, along with five species of rare plants and a native species of blue grouse.

One of the state's most popular rockhounding areas is Topaz Mountain, for both amateur and professionals, located near the center of the county.

It is, of course, where that Utah state gem, topaz, can be found. On sunny days, the topaz crystals, which are nearly of the same hardness as diamonds, sparkle like diamonds.

There are also other gems found in the mountain, including garnets, red beryl, pseudo-brookite, needles, bixbyite and hermatite.

Visitors are welcome to pick up these rock gems on the surface or dig with their fingers but need a permit if they opt to dig for the gems with tools.

Few people realize it, but sections of the "Loneliest Road in America" pass through Juab County. The road, which starts just over the border at Tintic, runs south past Silver City and Jericho and into Millard County near Lynndyl.

Several publications, including Life Magazine and National Geographic, have dubbed the road the loneliest. It does offer access to Little Sahara, but the drive between towns and services can be long and desolate.

Juab County may be remote and some of its sites located off the beaten path, but in many cases, it simply adds to the experience.

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Juab County

Well known: Little Sahara, Yuba Reservoir, Nebo Loop

Unknown: Fish Springs, Deep Creek Mountains

Contact: 435-623-5203, www.utahreach.usu.edu/juab

Next week: Salt Lake County

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E-mail: grass@desnews.com