KBR Wild Horse and Burro Information Sheet

  KING TOP HERD MANAGEMENT AREA

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

The King Top Herd Management Area (HMA) is located 70 miles west of Delta. The HMA is bounded by U.S. 50 & 6 on the north and the Crystal Peak road on the south. Horses usually range along the foothills in the southwest portion of the HMA.

The King Top HMA contains 149,567 acres of federal and state lands.

The vegetation on the upper slopes of the HMA is dominated by pinyon and juniper communities. The lower slopes are covered by sage-brush, shadscale and ricegrass.

The original source of the animals in this herd is unknown but it has been augmented through historic times with domestic horses from local ranches.

The King Top horses tend to be a bit smaller than the Conger horses. The herd is dominated by black, bay, and brown colors. Light colors are uncommon.

The wild horses in this HMA average 13 to 14 hands tall and 700 to 900 pounds.

The BLM management goal for this herd is to maintain a herd size between 40 and 60 head.

  BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR VIEWING

Travel west from Delta on US Highways 50 & 6 approximately 75 miles to Little Valley Road (milepost 16). Turn south at the intersection and travel 6 miles to the intersection of Ferguson Desert Road. Turn east on Ferguson Desert Road and travel for 12 miles to the turnoff on Probst Road (commonly known as Snake Pass Rd.) Turn east on Probst (Snake Pass) Rd. Horses may be encountered anywhere north or south along this road within the next 8 miles.

Another good area to view King Top horses, particurlarly in the summer or late in the day, is in the vicinity of Eck's Knoll Reservior. This reservior is reached by continuing south from the Probst Pond sign on Ferguson Desert Road another 3 miles. At the fork in the road, take the left hand fork and travel 1½ miles to Eck's Knoll.

  SPECIAL TRAVEL CONDITIONS

The access roads to the recommended viewing areas are maintained gravel. When dry and driven with care, these roads are normally passable in passenger vehicles. Sideroads off of Snake Pass Road require high clearance vehicles. Eck's Knoll Reservior can be reached by low clearance vehicles when the road is dry. Many of the roads in the area become impassable during very wet weather. Snow can accumulate and cause considerable drifting in winter. Much of the area north of Snake Pass Road is included in the King Top Wilderness Study Area. Vehicle access within this 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.

This is not a BLM operated or BLM sponsored site. It is run by private wild horse and burro enthusiasts. We are thankful to the BLM for providing the information which is presented here.


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