FREE PREVIEW Utah Moab Backroads and 4WD Trails 2nd Edition
FREE PREVIEW Utah Moab Backroads and 4WD Trails 2nd Edition
FREE PREVIEW Utah Moab Backroads and 4WD Trails 2nd Edition
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Elephant Hill, Trail #53, Difficult.<br />
4<br />
Page Topic<br />
6 <strong>Trails</strong> Listed by Area<br />
7 Trail Locator Map<br />
8 <strong>Trails</strong> Listed by Difficulty, Ratings Defined<br />
10 <strong>Trails</strong> Listed Alphabetically & Author’s Favorites<br />
Contents<br />
11 INTRODUCTION<br />
13 How to Use This Book<br />
13 Selecting the Right Trail for Your Vehicle<br />
14 <strong>Moab</strong> <strong>and</strong> Its Backcountry<br />
16 <strong>Moab</strong> Easter Jeep Safari<br />
16 Safety Tips<br />
18 Desert Survival<br />
20 Checklist<br />
21 Your Responsibilities as a Backcountry Driver<br />
23 Canyonl<strong>and</strong>s National Park<br />
24 Arches National Park<br />
24 National Forest Service & Bureau of L<strong>and</strong> Management<br />
25 Route-Finding Tips<br />
25 Backcountry Driving Lessons<br />
31 Other Activities, Final Comments<br />
32 Map Legend<br />
33 THE TRAILS (Individual trails listed on next page)<br />
34 Area 1- Northwest <strong>Moab</strong> & Arches National Park<br />
74 Area 2- Central <strong>Moab</strong><br />
140 Area 3- East <strong>Moab</strong> & Manti-La Sal National Forest<br />
172 Area 4- Southwest <strong>Moab</strong> & Canyonl<strong>and</strong>s National Park<br />
214 Extreme <strong>Trails</strong><br />
215 APPENDIX<br />
216 Glossary<br />
217 Helpful Books <strong>and</strong> Maps<br />
218 Addresses & Phone Numbers<br />
220 <strong>Moab</strong> 4x4 Clubs, Safari Contact Information<br />
221 About the Author<br />
222 ATV <strong>Trails</strong> Guide, <strong>Moab</strong>, UT<br />
5
<strong>Trails</strong> Listed by Area<br />
Pg. No./Trail, Rating (Easy, Mod., Diff.) Pg. No./Trail, Rating (Easy, Mod., Diff.)<br />
34 AREA 1<br />
Northwest <strong>Moab</strong> &<br />
Arches National Park<br />
36 1. Book Cliffs, Sego Canyon (E)<br />
40 2. White Wash S<strong>and</strong> Dunes (M)<br />
42 3. Tower Arch (M)<br />
44 4. Tusher Tunnel (E)<br />
46 5. Hidden Canyon Overlook (M)<br />
50 6. Hidden Canyon (E)<br />
52 7. Bartlett Overlook (D)<br />
56 8. Bartlett Wash Road (E)<br />
58 9. Sevenmile Rim (D)<br />
62 10. Rainbow Terrace (M)<br />
64 11. Secret Spire,<br />
Dellenbaugh Tunnel (M)<br />
66 12. Spring Canyon Point (E)<br />
68 13. Spring Canyon Bottom (E)<br />
70 14. Hey Joe Canyon (M)<br />
72 15. Mineral Point (E)<br />
74 AREA 2<br />
Central <strong>Moab</strong><br />
76 16. Gemini Bridges (E)<br />
78 17. Metal Masher (D)<br />
82 18. Long Canyon (E)<br />
84 19. Bull Canyon (M)<br />
86 20. Gold Bar Rim (D)<br />
88 21. Poison Spider Mesa (D)<br />
92 22. Golden Spike (D)<br />
98 23. Cliff Hanger (D)<br />
100 24. Hurrah Pass (E)<br />
102 25. <strong>Moab</strong> Rim (D)<br />
104 26. Pritchett Canyon (D)<br />
108 27. Kane Creek Canyon (D)<br />
112 28. Behind the Rocks (D)<br />
116 29. Strike Ravine (D)<br />
120 30. Picture Frame Arch (E)<br />
122 31. Flat Iron Mesa (D)<br />
126 32. Hell’s Revenge (D)<br />
130 33. Fins & Things (D)<br />
134 34. S<strong>and</strong> Flats Road (E)<br />
136 35. Steel Bender (D)<br />
6<br />
140 AREA 3<br />
East <strong>Moab</strong> &<br />
Manti-La Sal<br />
National Forest<br />
142 36. Onion Creek,<br />
Fisher Towers (E)<br />
144 37. Dome Plateau (M)<br />
148 38. Top of the World (D)<br />
150 39. Dolores River Overlook (E)<br />
152 40. Rose Garden Hill (D)<br />
156 41. Thompson Canyon,<br />
Polar Mesa (M)<br />
160 42. Castleton Gateway Road (E)<br />
164 43. Geyser Pass (E)<br />
168 44. La Sal Pass (M)<br />
172 AREA 4<br />
Southwest <strong>Moab</strong> &<br />
Canyonl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
National Park<br />
174 45. Potash Road,<br />
Shafer Switchbacks (E)<br />
178 46. White Rim (M)<br />
184 47. Lathrop Canyon (M)<br />
188 48. Chicken Corners (M)<br />
190 49. Lockhart Basin (D)<br />
194 50. Lockhart Canyon (M)<br />
196 51. Canyon Rim Overlooks (E)<br />
200 52. Colorado River Overlook (M)<br />
202 53. Elephant Hill (D)<br />
206 54. Lavender Canyon (M)<br />
210 55. Beef Basin (E)<br />
214 Extreme <strong>Trails</strong><br />
Photos, directions <strong>and</strong><br />
GPS locations:<br />
• Area BFE<br />
• Potato Salad Hill<br />
• Rusty Nail<br />
For information on<br />
ATV trails, see page 222.<br />
TO SALT<br />
LAKE CITY<br />
70<br />
AREA 1<br />
Pg. 34<br />
Green<br />
River<br />
14<br />
Ruby<br />
Ranch<br />
Road<br />
Green<br />
River<br />
Salt Lake<br />
City<br />
2<br />
CANYONLANDS<br />
NATIONAL<br />
PARK<br />
UTAH<br />
Area<br />
Detailed<br />
Below<br />
Floy<br />
Exit<br />
175<br />
Colorado<br />
River<br />
Crescent<br />
Junction<br />
Exit<br />
182<br />
191<br />
Blue<br />
Hills<br />
Rd.<br />
Dubinky<br />
Well<br />
Road<br />
10<br />
7 6<br />
12<br />
13<br />
11<br />
15<br />
DEAD<br />
HORSE<br />
POINT<br />
STATE<br />
PARK<br />
Colorado<br />
River<br />
1<br />
Trail Locator Map<br />
Thompson<br />
Springs<br />
Exit<br />
187<br />
Easy <strong>Trails</strong><br />
Moderate <strong>Trails</strong><br />
Difficult <strong>Trails</strong><br />
See individual area maps<br />
for more detail.<br />
ARCHES<br />
NATIONAL<br />
PARK<br />
AREA 4<br />
Pg. 172<br />
211<br />
TO GRAND<br />
JUNCTION<br />
31<br />
Exit<br />
204<br />
Needles<br />
Overlook<br />
Road<br />
211<br />
191<br />
128<br />
37<br />
Cisco<br />
AREA 2<br />
Pg. 74<br />
Exit 214<br />
46<br />
La Sal<br />
To<br />
Monticello<br />
Colorado<br />
River<br />
Dewey<br />
Bridge<br />
AREA 3<br />
Pg. 140<br />
5<br />
3<br />
36<br />
38<br />
8<br />
4<br />
9<br />
128<br />
40<br />
Castleton/<br />
Gateway<br />
39<br />
41<br />
313 17<br />
Road<br />
16 20<br />
22<br />
32 33<br />
19<br />
18 21 <strong>Moab</strong> 34<br />
279<br />
25<br />
191<br />
23 26 35<br />
42<br />
La Sal<br />
Mtn. Loop<br />
Road<br />
43<br />
45<br />
46<br />
48<br />
24<br />
27 28<br />
30<br />
29<br />
44<br />
53<br />
47<br />
52<br />
Note: Exit numbers have changed<br />
recently. Correct as of Jan. 2008.<br />
50<br />
49<br />
54<br />
51<br />
55<br />
70<br />
N<br />
MANTI-<br />
LA SAL<br />
NATIONAL<br />
FOREST<br />
TO<br />
COLORADO<br />
0 10<br />
miles<br />
7
<strong>Trails</strong> Listed by Difficulty<br />
<strong>Trails</strong> are grouped into three<br />
major categories: easy, moderate<br />
<strong>and</strong> difficult. Within<br />
each group, trails at the top<br />
of the list are easier than<br />
at the bottom. If you drive<br />
a trail <strong>and</strong> find it too easy,<br />
try one lower on the list.<br />
Conversely, if you find a trail<br />
too difficult, try one higher<br />
on the list. You may have to<br />
skip several trails on the list<br />
to find a significant difference.<br />
Trail Ratings<br />
Defined<br />
Trail ratings are very subjective.<br />
Conditions change for many reasons,<br />
including weather <strong>and</strong> time of year.<br />
An easy trail can quickly become<br />
difficult when washed out by a rainstorm<br />
or blocked by a fallen rock.<br />
You must be the final judge of a<br />
trail’s condition on the day you drive<br />
it. If any part of a trail is difficult,<br />
the entire trail is rated difficult. You<br />
may be able to drive a significant<br />
portion of a trail before reaching<br />
the difficult spot. Read each trail<br />
description carefully for specific<br />
information.<br />
8<br />
*<br />
trail updates<br />
Go to<br />
*<br />
www.funtreks.com<br />
Easier<br />
More Difficult<br />
Easy<br />
Pg. No./Trail<br />
160 42. Castleton Gateway Road<br />
134 34 S<strong>and</strong> Flats Road<br />
56 8. Bartlett Wash Road<br />
164 43. Geyser Pass<br />
142 36. Onion Creek, Fisher Towers<br />
66 12. Spring Canyon Point<br />
196 51. Canyon Rim Overlooks<br />
36 1. Book Cliffs, Sego Canyon<br />
100 24. Hurrah Pass<br />
120 30. Picture Frame Arch<br />
44 4. Tusher Tunnel<br />
50 6. Hidden Canyon<br />
72 15. Mineral Point<br />
76 16. Gemini Bridges<br />
210 55. Beef Basin<br />
150 39. Dolores River Overlook<br />
82 18. Long Canyon<br />
68 13. Spring Canyon Bottom<br />
174 45. Potash Rd., Shafer Switchbacks<br />
Easy: Gravel, dirt, clay, s<strong>and</strong>, or<br />
mildly rocky road. Gentle grades.<br />
Water levels low except during<br />
periods of heavy runoff. Full-width<br />
single lane or wider with adequate<br />
room to pass most of the time.<br />
Where shelf conditions exist, road<br />
is wide <strong>and</strong> well-maintained with<br />
minor sideways tilt. Four-wheel<br />
drive recommended on most trails<br />
but some are suitable for twowheel<br />
drive under dry conditions.<br />
Clay surface roads, when wet, can<br />
significantly increase difficult or<br />
may be impassable.<br />
Moderate Difficult<br />
Pg. No./Trail<br />
194 50. Lockhart Canyon<br />
156 41. Thompson Canyon, Polar Mesa<br />
206 54. Lavender Canyon<br />
200 52. Colorado River Overlook<br />
40 2. White Wash S<strong>and</strong> Dunes<br />
64 11. Secret Spire, Dellenbaugh Tun.<br />
178 46. White Rim<br />
168 44. La Sal Pass<br />
42 3. Tower Arch<br />
184 47. Lathrop Canyon<br />
188 48. Chicken Corners<br />
46 5. Hidden Canyon Overlook<br />
84 19. Bull Canyon<br />
62 10. Rainbow Terrace<br />
144 37. Dome Plateau<br />
70 14. Hey Joe Canyon<br />
Moderate: Rutted dirt or rocky<br />
road suitable for most sport utility<br />
vehicles. Careful tire placement is<br />
often necessary. Four-wheel drive,<br />
low range, <strong>and</strong> high ground clearance<br />
required. St<strong>and</strong>ard factory skid<br />
plates <strong>and</strong> tow hooks recommended<br />
on many trails. Undercarriage may<br />
scrape occasionally. Some grades<br />
fairly steep but manageable if dry.<br />
Soft s<strong>and</strong> possible. Sideways tilt will<br />
require caution. Narrow shelf roads<br />
possible. Backing may be necessary<br />
to pass. Water depths passable for<br />
stock high-clearance vehicles except<br />
during periods of heavy runoff. Mud<br />
holes may be present especially in<br />
the spring. Rock-stacking may be<br />
necessary in some cases. Brush may<br />
touch vehicle.<br />
Pg. No./Trail<br />
58 9. Sevenmile Rim<br />
148 38. Top of the World<br />
52 7. Bartlett Overlook<br />
130 33. Fins & Things<br />
190 49. Lockhart Basin<br />
202 53. Elephant Hill<br />
116 29. Strike Ravine<br />
108 27. Kane Creek Canyon<br />
98 23. Cliff Hanger<br />
126 32. Hell's Revenge<br />
152 40. Rose Garden Hill<br />
88 21. Poison Spider Mesa<br />
122 31. Flat Iron Mesa<br />
78 17. Metal Masher<br />
86 20. Gold Bar Rim<br />
136 35. Steel Bender<br />
102 25. <strong>Moab</strong> Rim<br />
92 22. Golden Spike<br />
112 28. Behind the Rocks<br />
104 26. Pritchett Canyon<br />
Difficult: Some trails suitable for<br />
more aggressive stock vehicles but<br />
most trails require vehicle modification.<br />
Lifts, differential lockers,<br />
aggressive articulation, <strong>and</strong>/or<br />
winches recommended in many<br />
cases. Skid plates <strong>and</strong> tow hooks<br />
required. Body damage possible.<br />
Grades can be steep with severe<br />
ground undulation. Sideways tilt<br />
can be extreme. S<strong>and</strong> hills very<br />
steep with soft downslopes. Deep<br />
water crossings possible. Shelf roads<br />
extremely narrow; use caution in<br />
full-size vehicle. Read trail description<br />
carefully. Passing may be difficult<br />
with backing required for long<br />
distances. Brush may scratch sides<br />
of vehicle.<br />
9
74<br />
AREA 2<br />
Central <strong>Moab</strong><br />
16. Gemini Bridges (E)<br />
17. Metal Masher (D)<br />
18. Long Canyon (E)<br />
313<br />
To I-70,<br />
Crescent<br />
Junction<br />
N<br />
CANYONLANDS<br />
NATIONAL<br />
PARK<br />
Colorado<br />
River<br />
313<br />
16<br />
19<br />
191<br />
17<br />
18<br />
DEAD<br />
HORSE<br />
POINT<br />
STATE<br />
PARK<br />
Colorado<br />
River<br />
19. Bull Canyon (M) 28. Behind the Rocks (D)<br />
20. Gold Bar Rim (D) 29. Strike Ravine (D)<br />
21. Poison Spider Mesa (D) 30. Picture Frame Arch (E)<br />
22. Golden Spike (D) 31. Flat Iron Mesa (D)<br />
23. Cliff Hanger (D) 32. Hell’s Revenge (D)<br />
24. Hurrah Pass (E) 33. Fins & Things (D)<br />
25. <strong>Moab</strong> Rim (D) 34. S<strong>and</strong> Flats Road (E)<br />
26. Pritchett Canyon (D)<br />
27. Kane Creek Cyn. (D)<br />
35. Steel Bender (D)<br />
20<br />
279<br />
Grid size - 5 miles<br />
© 2008 FunTreks, Inc.<br />
23<br />
22<br />
21<br />
Kane<br />
Creek<br />
Road<br />
24<br />
279<br />
Chicken Corners<br />
Trail #48, see<br />
Area 4<br />
ARCHES<br />
NATIONAL<br />
PARK<br />
<strong>Moab</strong><br />
25<br />
26<br />
Easy<br />
Moderate<br />
Difficult<br />
MINI KEY<br />
Paved<br />
Unpaved<br />
Easy<br />
Moderate<br />
Difcult<br />
27<br />
32<br />
Kane<br />
Creek<br />
Road<br />
More <strong>Trails</strong><br />
Shadowed portion of trail<br />
described in text.<br />
128<br />
Potato Salad<br />
Hill<br />
191<br />
30<br />
31<br />
28<br />
Colorado<br />
River<br />
33<br />
35<br />
Spanish<br />
Valley<br />
Drive<br />
191<br />
To Area 3,<br />
I-70, Cisco<br />
34<br />
128<br />
To Manti-<br />
La Sal<br />
N.F.<br />
29<br />
Area<br />
BFE<br />
To<br />
La Sal<br />
46<br />
191<br />
To Area 4,<br />
Monticello<br />
AREA 2<br />
Central <strong>Moab</strong><br />
Fourteen of twenty trails in Area 2 are rated difficult. They include nationally<br />
known names like Poison Spider Mesa, Golden Spike, <strong>Moab</strong> Rim,<br />
Pritchett Canyon, Behind the Rocks <strong>and</strong> Hell’s Revenge. Obstacles include,<br />
among others, White Knuckle Hill, the Golden Crack, Rocker Knocker,<br />
High Dive, Hell's Gate <strong>and</strong> the Escalator. Many of the trails are featured<br />
in the popular Easter Jeep Safari. Where possible, trails match the routes<br />
driven during the safari. However, some longer routes have been shortened<br />
<strong>and</strong> include only the best parts of the trails. Other routes like Steel Bender,<br />
Bull Canyon <strong>and</strong> Hell's Revenge have been exp<strong>and</strong>ed, with new side trips<br />
<strong>and</strong> obstacles. When I drove Area 2 back in 1999, for the first edition of this<br />
book, route-finding on slickrock trails was almost impossible. This time,<br />
trails were better marked with painted symbols <strong>and</strong> black tire marks. It was<br />
much easier to find my way. This allowed me to simplify my directions <strong>and</strong><br />
to use fewer GPS waypoints. Strike Ravine, Trail #29, is new to this book.<br />
The trail has taken on extra importance because of its proximity to newly<br />
opened Area BFE, a privately owned extreme 4x4 playground open to the<br />
public. (To find Area BFE, see page 214.)<br />
Descending final section of <strong>Moab</strong> Rim, Trail #25, above the Colorado River, Difficult.<br />
75
Mountain bikers walk across one of two bridges. It's a long way down, so be careful.<br />
View from high shelf road.<br />
GPS Waypoints (Datum WGS84)<br />
01 N 38º 39.38´ W 109º 40.66´<br />
02 N 38º 36.00´ W 109º 40.41´<br />
03 N 38º 35.78´ W 109º 41.63´<br />
04 N 38º 35.23´ W 109º 42.58´<br />
05 N 38º 35.52´ W 109º 43.47´<br />
06 N 38º 35.74´ W 109º 44.18´<br />
76<br />
Gemini Bridges<br />
MINI KEY<br />
Paved<br />
Unpaved<br />
Easy<br />
Moderate<br />
To<br />
Hwy.<br />
313<br />
Difcult<br />
More <strong>Trails</strong><br />
Shadowed portion of trail<br />
described in text.<br />
313<br />
To<br />
Canyonl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
National<br />
Park<br />
TO<br />
METAL<br />
MASHER<br />
Trail #17<br />
06<br />
Gate<br />
BLM<br />
LAND<br />
Four-Arches<br />
Canyon<br />
05<br />
N<br />
Arths<br />
Pasture<br />
P<br />
04<br />
313<br />
© 2008 FunTreks, Inc.<br />
To I-70<br />
BLM<br />
LAND<br />
TO<br />
METAL<br />
MASHER<br />
Trail #17<br />
03<br />
Campground<br />
191<br />
P<br />
01<br />
Gemini<br />
Bridges<br />
Road<br />
High<br />
shelf<br />
road<br />
Gooney<br />
Bird Rock<br />
TO<br />
02<br />
Start<br />
BULL<br />
Gemini CANYON<br />
Bridges Trail #19<br />
To <strong>Moab</strong><br />
TO<br />
GOLD<br />
BAR RIM<br />
Trail #20<br />
Grid size - 1 mile<br />
Gemini Bridges 16<br />
Location: From <strong>Moab</strong>, head north on Highway 191 about 10 miles <strong>and</strong> turn<br />
left into a large parking lot. The turn is 1.3 miles before Highway 313.<br />
Difficulty: Easy. The once-rocky road has been tamed with rock-grinding<br />
equipment. One steep hill after Waypoint 02 still requires four-wheel drive.<br />
Features: Beautiful scenery on way to remarkable Gemini Bridges. The<br />
bridges are not apparent until you get close <strong>and</strong> look down. An extremely<br />
popular mountain bike route. Please slow down to minimize dust when<br />
passing. To view bridges from below, see Bull Canyon, Trail #19. Turn left<br />
on road before Gooney Bird Rock for good camp spots.<br />
Time & Distance: It is 7.8 miles to Gemini Bridges <strong>and</strong> another 5.6 miles<br />
to Highway 313. Allow 2 to 3 hours for this 13.4-mile trip, plus return time.<br />
Trail Description: Reset odometer when you turn left off Highway 191 [01].<br />
Pass through parking lot, cross railroad tracks <strong>and</strong> turn left. Follow road south<br />
along the tracks <strong>and</strong> turn right uphill in less than a mile. Follow twisting shelf<br />
road as it continues south, high above Highway 191. Watch for busy traffic.<br />
Descend into a wide valley <strong>and</strong> continue south past distinctive Gooney Bird<br />
Rock. At 4.9 miles [02], turn right at T intersection <strong>and</strong> climb steep hill. Bear<br />
right at 5.4 miles (left goes to Bull Canyon, Trail #19). Bear left at 6.5 miles<br />
[03] (right goes to Metal Masher, Trail #17). At 7.5 miles, bear left (right<br />
bypasses Gemini Bridges). Stay left into clearing at 7.7 miles. Continue short<br />
distance <strong>and</strong> find a place to park at 7.8 miles [04]. Hike 0.2 miles south downhill<br />
to arches (trail is marked with white painted dashes).<br />
Return Trip: Return the way you came or exit west to Highway 313. To exit<br />
west, reset odometer, head north from where you parked <strong>and</strong> turn left. At<br />
0.9 miles [05], turn right at T (left goes to interesting Four Arches Canyon).<br />
At 1.6 miles [06], turn left on wide gravel road <strong>and</strong> head west. When you<br />
reach Highway 313 in another 3.7 miles, turn right to return to <strong>Moab</strong>. Left<br />
goes to Canyonl<strong>and</strong>s National Park <strong>and</strong> Dead Horse Point State Park. You<br />
can also return to <strong>Moab</strong> by turning left on Highway 313 <strong>and</strong> going down<br />
Long Canyon, Trail #18. From there, a left on Highway 279 returns to 191.<br />
Services: Gas <strong>and</strong> snacks available at campground on Highway 191, just<br />
north of Highway 313. Fee parking lot at start sometimes has porta-potty.<br />
Vault toilets at view areas along Highway 313.<br />
Trail Information: BLM, <strong>Moab</strong> Field Office (see appendix).<br />
77
Difficult spots have bypasses.<br />
S<strong>and</strong>y road through canyon is fun to drive. Hike to bottom of Gemini Bridges.<br />
Bull Canyon METAL MASHER<br />
Trail #17<br />
TO HWY. 191<br />
Steep<br />
hill<br />
GOLD BAR<br />
RIM<br />
Trail #20<br />
TO<br />
HWY.<br />
313<br />
84<br />
MINI KEY<br />
Paved<br />
Unpaved<br />
Easy<br />
Moderate<br />
Difcult<br />
More <strong>Trails</strong><br />
Shadowed portion of trail<br />
described in text.<br />
Gemini<br />
Bridges<br />
© 2008 FunTreks, Inc.<br />
04<br />
05<br />
GEMINI<br />
BRIDGES<br />
Trail #16<br />
Grid size - 0.5 miles<br />
BLM<br />
LAND<br />
01<br />
02<br />
Start<br />
BLM<br />
LAND<br />
03<br />
06<br />
Day<br />
Canyon<br />
GPS Waypoints displayed in Degrees <strong>and</strong> Decimal Minutes (Datum WGS84)<br />
01 N 38º 35.80´ W 109º 40.87´<br />
02 N 38º 34.93´ W 109º 40.90´<br />
03 N 38º 34.69´ W 109º 40.66´<br />
N<br />
Surprise<br />
Overlook<br />
Little<br />
Canyon<br />
(Difficult)<br />
04 N 38º 34.88´ W 109º 42.13´<br />
05 N 38º 35.07´ W 109º 42.30´<br />
06 N 38º 34.62´ W 109º 40.37´<br />
Bull Canyon 19<br />
Starting Point: From <strong>Moab</strong>, head north on Highway 191 about 10 miles<br />
<strong>and</strong> turn left into parking lot for Gemini Bridges, Trail #16. Reset odometer.<br />
Cross railroad tracks <strong>and</strong> turn left. In less than a mile, follow the road right<br />
uphill, then south along a high shelf road. Continue through valley past<br />
Gooney Bird Rock to T intersection at 4.9 miles. (Gold Bar Rim goes left<br />
here.) Turn right <strong>and</strong> climb steep hill. Turn left at 5.4 miles to start.<br />
Difficulty: Moderate. Much of this trail follows a rocky creek bed which<br />
can change after storms. A couple of difficult spots have bypasses. Suitable<br />
for aggressive, high-clearance SUVs.<br />
Features: Fun drive through narrow canyons <strong>and</strong> s<strong>and</strong>y swales that goes<br />
past hiking trailhead to bottom of Gemini Bridges. Park here <strong>and</strong> hike short<br />
distance to incredible view of bridges from below. Trail continues west from<br />
Waypoint 04 <strong>and</strong> eventually narrows where you must turn around. Take<br />
short trip south to Surprise Overlook into gaping Day Canyon.<br />
Time & Distance: From start to bridges is about 3.2 miles. Trail continues<br />
about a mile west after the hiking trail. Surprise Overlook is 0.4 miles more.<br />
This trip, by itself, is a good half day adventure from <strong>Moab</strong>.<br />
Trail Description: Reset odometer as you turn left off Gemini Bridges Road<br />
[01]. Head south on wide road that gradually narrows <strong>and</strong> gets rougher.<br />
Stay right at 1.1 miles [02]. (Road to left is difficult side trip through Little<br />
Canyon that connects to Gold Bar Rim, Trail #20.) At 1.5 miles, turn right<br />
downhill into Bull Canyon [03]. Trail winds through narrow wash then<br />
opens up into a valley with towering rock walls. Stay on the main route<br />
at all times. Stay off illegal side hills. Continue straight at 2.1 <strong>and</strong> left at<br />
2.9. Wind between s<strong>and</strong> hills, until you reach hiking trail on right at about<br />
3.2 miles [04]. Park here <strong>and</strong> hike north about 0.3 miles to reach bottom of<br />
Gemini Bridges. [05]. Trail continues west <strong>and</strong> narrows to point where it is<br />
difficult to turn around. Use caution not to go too far.<br />
To reach Surprise Overlook, return to Waypoint 03 <strong>and</strong> turn right. Stay<br />
left in s<strong>and</strong>y wash until trail ends at s<strong>and</strong>y knoll after another 0.4 miles [06].<br />
Walk south for view into Day Canyon far below. Careful, no guardrails.<br />
Return Trip: Return the way you came. (Option: Difficult Little Canyon)<br />
Services: Gas at campground on Highway 191, just north of Highway 313.<br />
Trail Information: BLM, <strong>Moab</strong> Field Office (see appendix).<br />
85
Steep ledges at start of trail.<br />
Pick your level of difficulty at the Z-Turn.<br />
Vehicle slips dangerously off ledge at Waypoint 03.<br />
98<br />
04<br />
Cliff Hanger<br />
BLM<br />
LAND<br />
MINI KEY<br />
Paved<br />
Unpaved<br />
Easy<br />
Moderate<br />
Difcult<br />
More <strong>Trails</strong><br />
Shadowed portion of trail<br />
described in text.<br />
© 2008 FunTreks, Inc.<br />
Dangerous<br />
tippy spot<br />
03<br />
TO TRAIL #45<br />
Jackson Ladder<br />
bike carry<br />
Jackson<br />
Hole<br />
279<br />
Grid size - 0.5 miles<br />
01 N 38º 31.45´ W 109º 36.10´<br />
02 N 38º 31.15´ W 109º 37.12´<br />
02<br />
N<br />
Big step<br />
on ledge<br />
road.<br />
Narrow shelf road along cliff edge.<br />
Turn around at final overlook.<br />
Start of<br />
Trail #21<br />
Z-Turn<br />
BLM<br />
LAND<br />
P<br />
COLORADO RIVER<br />
279<br />
TO MOAB<br />
01<br />
P<br />
TO TRAILS<br />
#24, #27<br />
GPS Waypoints displayed in Degrees <strong>and</strong> Decimal Minutes (Datum WGS84)<br />
Kane<br />
Creek<br />
Road<br />
Start<br />
Kane<br />
Creek Road<br />
03 N 38º 31.80´ W 109º 38.01´<br />
04 N 38º 31.63´ W 109º 38.54´<br />
Starting Point: From the McDonald's Restaurant on Highway 191 on the<br />
south side of <strong>Moab</strong>, head west on Kane Creek Road. Bear left at the first<br />
major fork <strong>and</strong> follow Kane Creek Road south along the river. Continue<br />
on a wide gravel road after pavement ends. After a parking lot for bikers,<br />
continue a bit further to Amasa Back Bike Trail on the right. Total distance<br />
from McDonalds is 5.9 miles.<br />
Difficulty: Difficult. This trail was filled in with dirt for maintenance<br />
recently, but the dirt is quickly washing away. Make no mistake, this trail is<br />
strictly hardcore with many big ledges <strong>and</strong> challenging obstacles. Although<br />
the big step on the ledge road is tamed somewhat, a new tippy spot has<br />
developed farther down the trail. Trail not suitable for most stock vehicles.<br />
Features: Real challenges with incredible scenery, especially at the end.<br />
Heavy bike traffic. Be courteous. Pull over <strong>and</strong> let bikers pass.<br />
Time & Distance: Main route is 4.3 miles one way. Add 1.4 miles for side<br />
trip to overlook. Allow 3 to 4 hours for everything.<br />
Trail Description: Reset odometer as you turn right off Kane Creek Road<br />
[01]. Air drive down immediately <strong>and</strong> drop down steep ledges. At bottom of<br />
hill, cross creek, follow trail to left up difficult ledge. Stay right at 0.4 miles.<br />
Driver's choice at 1.1 miles; circle around to right or cut across slickrock.<br />
Bear right at 1.7 where a lesser road goes left before reaching the Z-Turn at<br />
1.8 miles. Zigzag right then left uphill. Stay left at 2.2 miles [02]. Road on<br />
right goes to great overlook of Poison Spider Mesa <strong>and</strong> Colorado River.<br />
As you proceed north on the main trail, it narrows <strong>and</strong> drops down<br />
along the cliff edge with a big step down at 2.5. Continue straight at 3.1<br />
where a lesser road goes right to another overlook. Be very careful at 3.3<br />
miles [03]. You must straddle a narrow ledge that tips you to the right. It's<br />
easy to roll over if your right tire slips into the soft dirt. The trail appears to<br />
end at 3.5. Make a hard right here up some big ledges. Once on top, swing<br />
right then back to the left. At 3.6, climb to opening at top of barren slickrock.<br />
At 4.0, stay left up bank. Turn around at scenic viewpoint at 4.3 miles<br />
[04]. Great spot for lunch. Caution: dangerous cliffs have no guardrails.<br />
Return Trip: Return the way you came. Option: Add side trip to overlook.<br />
Services: None. Return to <strong>Moab</strong>.<br />
Cliff Hanger<br />
Trail Information: BLM, <strong>Moab</strong> Field Office (see appendix).<br />
23<br />
99