Brushy Canyon, Wellsville, UT 84339

## Overview Tucked into the rugged terrain of the Wellsville Mountains in Cache County, Utah, the Brushy Canyon Spring is a natural water source situated on the steep, north-facing slope between Box Elder Peak (also known as Wellsville Cone) and Brushy Canyon. At an elevation consistent with the dramatic Wellsville Range — often cited as one of the narrowest mountain ranges in North America — this spring delivers remarkably cold water year-round. The water emerges from a rusty horizontal pipe that protrudes from the hillside, a common setup for developed mountain springs in northern Utah where early settlers or forest service crews piped water from a natural seep to make it more accessible. The Wellsville Mountains themselves are composed largely of Precambrian and Paleozoic sedimentary rock, and springs in this area typically flow through layers of quartzite and limestone, which can contribute to clean-tasting, mineral-rich water. Visitors have historically reported the water to be very clean and cold, and the spring has been used as a drinking water source by hikers and locals in the area. ## Directions 1. From the town of Wellsville, UT (Highway 89/91), head west toward the Wellsville Mountains. 2. Navigate to the area between Box Elder Peak (Wellsville Cone) and Brushy Canyon. The GPS coordinates **41.640353, -112.010719** will guide you to the spring's location on the north-facing slope. 3. The spring is on a steep hillside — look for a rusty pipe protruding horizontally from the slope. The pipe marks the water source. *Note: Access may involve steep, uneven terrain. The approach can be challenging, especially in wet or winter conditions. Use the GPS coordinates for precise navigation, as the spring is not prominently signed.* ## What to Expect The spring flows from a rusty metal pipe that juts out horizontally from the steep, north-facing mountainside. The water runs very cold, as is typical of high-elevation springs fed by snowmelt percolating through deep rock layers in the Wellsville Range. The flow emerges steadily, making it relatively easy to fill bottles directly from the pipe. The surrounding landscape is characteristic of the Wellsville Mountains — steep slopes covered in brush, scrub oak, and mixed mountain vegetation, with sweeping views of Cache Valley to the east. The north-facing aspect means the area stays shaded and cool for much of the day, and snow may linger here well into spring. Because the terrain is steep and potentially loose underfoot, sturdy footwear is recommended. The spring is in a relatively remote location without facilities, so plan accordingly. Seasonal access may be limited by snow cover in late fall through early spring.