Hurricane Mesa Test Facility (Virgin, Utah)

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The Hurricane Mesa Test Facility includes a 12,000 foot long test track. It was initially owned by the U.S. Air Force, constructed in 1954 and 1955 by Coleman Engineering and subsequently operated by Coleman. The site was used in the testing of ejection seat systems and other aviation systems.

The U.S. Air Force ceased operations in 1961 at the site. Since 1963 the facility has been privately owned and operated. It remains in operation as a private test facility.

Some locals claim that the facility is a secret military base on par with area 51.

Water towers, a communications tower, and a trailer that sticks out over the edge of the mesa rim cliffs can be seen from below.

A narrow winding paved road offers access to the mesa top, where it becomes a dirt road that continues past the test facility. The road continues and ascends to the top of the higher Smith Mesa which is perched atop Hurricane Mesa. While public is not usually allowed onto the private property, the road is a public right-of-way.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Mesa_Test_Facility
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   37°14'18"N   113°13'7"W

Comments

  • The site currently appears to be operated as the Goodrich Supersonic Test Site. One humorous sight on the mesa is the large cement block at the end of the 12,000 foot test track. Stencled in black: "STOP. THE END"
  • There is a similar track in New Mexico, North of Hollow Man AFB, Does anyone knows what is that about?
  • The One at Holloman AFB is a high speed test track for munituons testing ond was used to test ejection seats its over a mile long and only off an 1/2 inch the whole length
This article was last modified 13 years ago