FREE PREVIEW Utah Moab Backroads and 4WD Trails 2nd Edition

Elephant Hill, Trail #53, Difficult.
4
Page Topic
6 Trails Listed by Area
7 Trail Locator Map
8 Trails Listed by Difficulty, Ratings Defined
10 Trails Listed Alphabetically & Author’s Favorites
Contents
11 INTRODUCTION
13 How to Use This Book
13 Selecting the Right Trail for Your Vehicle
14 Moab and Its Backcountry
16 Moab Easter Jeep Safari
16 Safety Tips
18 Desert Survival
20 Checklist
21 Your Responsibilities as a Backcountry Driver
23 Canyonlands National Park
24 Arches National Park
24 National Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management
25 Route-Finding Tips
25 Backcountry Driving Lessons
31 Other Activities, Final Comments
32 Map Legend
33 THE TRAILS (Individual trails listed on next page)
34 Area 1- Northwest Moab & Arches National Park
74 Area 2- Central Moab
140 Area 3- East Moab & Manti-La Sal National Forest
172 Area 4- Southwest Moab & Canyonlands National Park
214 Extreme Trails
215 APPENDIX
216 Glossary
217 Helpful Books and Maps
218 Addresses & Phone Numbers
220 Moab 4x4 Clubs, Safari Contact Information
221 About the Author
222 ATV Trails Guide, Moab, UT
5

Trails Listed by Area
Pg. No./Trail, Rating (Easy, Mod., Diff.) Pg. No./Trail, Rating (Easy, Mod., Diff.)
34 AREA 1
Northwest Moab &
Arches National Park
36 1. Book Cliffs, Sego Canyon (E)
40 2. White Wash Sand Dunes (M)
42 3. Tower Arch (M)
44 4. Tusher Tunnel (E)
46 5. Hidden Canyon Overlook (M)
50 6. Hidden Canyon (E)
52 7. Bartlett Overlook (D)
56 8. Bartlett Wash Road (E)
58 9. Sevenmile Rim (D)
62 10. Rainbow Terrace (M)
64 11. Secret Spire,
Dellenbaugh Tunnel (M)
66 12. Spring Canyon Point (E)
68 13. Spring Canyon Bottom (E)
70 14. Hey Joe Canyon (M)
72 15. Mineral Point (E)
74 AREA 2
Central Moab
76 16. Gemini Bridges (E)
78 17. Metal Masher (D)
82 18. Long Canyon (E)
84 19. Bull Canyon (M)
86 20. Gold Bar Rim (D)
88 21. Poison Spider Mesa (D)
92 22. Golden Spike (D)
98 23. Cliff Hanger (D)
100 24. Hurrah Pass (E)
102 25. Moab Rim (D)
104 26. Pritchett Canyon (D)
108 27. Kane Creek Canyon (D)
112 28. Behind the Rocks (D)
116 29. Strike Ravine (D)
120 30. Picture Frame Arch (E)
122 31. Flat Iron Mesa (D)
126 32. Hell’s Revenge (D)
130 33. Fins & Things (D)
134 34. Sand Flats Road (E)
136 35. Steel Bender (D)
6
140 AREA 3
East Moab &
Manti-La Sal
National Forest
142 36. Onion Creek,
Fisher Towers (E)
144 37. Dome Plateau (M)
148 38. Top of the World (D)
150 39. Dolores River Overlook (E)
152 40. Rose Garden Hill (D)
156 41. Thompson Canyon,
Polar Mesa (M)
160 42. Castleton Gateway Road (E)
164 43. Geyser Pass (E)
168 44. La Sal Pass (M)
172 AREA 4
Southwest Moab &
Canyonlands
National Park
174 45. Potash Road,
Shafer Switchbacks (E)
178 46. White Rim (M)
184 47. Lathrop Canyon (M)
188 48. Chicken Corners (M)
190 49. Lockhart Basin (D)
194 50. Lockhart Canyon (M)
196 51. Canyon Rim Overlooks (E)
200 52. Colorado River Overlook (M)
202 53. Elephant Hill (D)
206 54. Lavender Canyon (M)
210 55. Beef Basin (E)
214 Extreme Trails
Photos, directions and
GPS locations:
• Area BFE
• Potato Salad Hill
• Rusty Nail
For information on
ATV trails, see page 222.
TO SALT
LAKE CITY
70
AREA 1
Pg. 34
Green
River
14
Ruby
Ranch
Road
Green
River
Salt Lake
City
2
CANYONLANDS
NATIONAL
PARK
UTAH
Area
Detailed
Below
Floy
Exit
175
Colorado
River
Crescent
Junction
Exit
182
191
Blue
Hills
Rd.
Dubinky
Well
Road
10
7 6
12
13
11
15
DEAD
HORSE
POINT
STATE
PARK
Colorado
River
1
Trail Locator Map
Thompson
Springs
Exit
187
Easy Trails
Moderate Trails
Difficult Trails
See individual area maps
for more detail.
ARCHES
NATIONAL
PARK
AREA 4
Pg. 172
211
TO GRAND
JUNCTION
31
Exit
204
Needles
Overlook
Road
211
191
128
37
Cisco
AREA 2
Pg. 74
Exit 214
46
La Sal
To
Monticello
Colorado
River
Dewey
Bridge
AREA 3
Pg. 140
5
3
36
38
8
4
9
128
40
Castleton/
Gateway
39
41
313 17
Road
16 20
22
32 33
19
18 21 Moab 34
279
25
191
23 26 35
42
La Sal
Mtn. Loop
Road
43
45
46
48
24
27 28
30
29
44
53
47
52
Note: Exit numbers have changed
recently. Correct as of Jan. 2008.
50
49
54
51
55
70
N
MANTI-
LA SAL
NATIONAL
FOREST
TO
COLORADO
0 10
miles
7

Trails Listed by Difficulty
Trails are grouped into three
major categories: easy, moderate
and difficult. Within
each group, trails at the top
of the list are easier than
at the bottom. If you drive
a trail and find it too easy,
try one lower on the list.
Conversely, if you find a trail
too difficult, try one higher
on the list. You may have to
skip several trails on the list
to find a significant difference.
Trail Ratings
Defined
Trail ratings are very subjective.
Conditions change for many reasons,
including weather and time of year.
An easy trail can quickly become
difficult when washed out by a rainstorm
or blocked by a fallen rock.
You must be the final judge of a
trail’s condition on the day you drive
it. If any part of a trail is difficult,
the entire trail is rated difficult. You
may be able to drive a significant
portion of a trail before reaching
the difficult spot. Read each trail
description carefully for specific
information.
8
*
trail updates
Go to
*
www.funtreks.com
Easier
More Difficult
Easy
Pg. No./Trail
160 42. Castleton Gateway Road
134 34 Sand Flats Road
56 8. Bartlett Wash Road
164 43. Geyser Pass
142 36. Onion Creek, Fisher Towers
66 12. Spring Canyon Point
196 51. Canyon Rim Overlooks
36 1. Book Cliffs, Sego Canyon
100 24. Hurrah Pass
120 30. Picture Frame Arch
44 4. Tusher Tunnel
50 6. Hidden Canyon
72 15. Mineral Point
76 16. Gemini Bridges
210 55. Beef Basin
150 39. Dolores River Overlook
82 18. Long Canyon
68 13. Spring Canyon Bottom
174 45. Potash Rd., Shafer Switchbacks
Easy: Gravel, dirt, clay, sand, or
mildly rocky road. Gentle grades.
Water levels low except during
periods of heavy runoff. Full-width
single lane or wider with adequate
room to pass most of the time.
Where shelf conditions exist, road
is wide and well-maintained with
minor sideways tilt. Four-wheel
drive recommended on most trails
but some are suitable for twowheel
drive under dry conditions.
Clay surface roads, when wet, can
significantly increase difficult or
may be impassable.
Moderate Difficult
Pg. No./Trail
194 50. Lockhart Canyon
156 41. Thompson Canyon, Polar Mesa
206 54. Lavender Canyon
200 52. Colorado River Overlook
40 2. White Wash Sand Dunes
64 11. Secret Spire, Dellenbaugh Tun.
178 46. White Rim
168 44. La Sal Pass
42 3. Tower Arch
184 47. Lathrop Canyon
188 48. Chicken Corners
46 5. Hidden Canyon Overlook
84 19. Bull Canyon
62 10. Rainbow Terrace
144 37. Dome Plateau
70 14. Hey Joe Canyon
Moderate: Rutted dirt or rocky
road suitable for most sport utility
vehicles. Careful tire placement is
often necessary. Four-wheel drive,
low range, and high ground clearance
required. Standard factory skid
plates and tow hooks recommended
on many trails. Undercarriage may
scrape occasionally. Some grades
fairly steep but manageable if dry.
Soft sand possible. Sideways tilt will
require caution. Narrow shelf roads
possible. Backing may be necessary
to pass. Water depths passable for
stock high-clearance vehicles except
during periods of heavy runoff. Mud
holes may be present especially in
the spring. Rock-stacking may be
necessary in some cases. Brush may
touch vehicle.
Pg. No./Trail
58 9. Sevenmile Rim
148 38. Top of the World
52 7. Bartlett Overlook
130 33. Fins & Things
190 49. Lockhart Basin
202 53. Elephant Hill
116 29. Strike Ravine
108 27. Kane Creek Canyon
98 23. Cliff Hanger
126 32. Hell's Revenge
152 40. Rose Garden Hill
88 21. Poison Spider Mesa
122 31. Flat Iron Mesa
78 17. Metal Masher
86 20. Gold Bar Rim
136 35. Steel Bender
102 25. Moab Rim
92 22. Golden Spike
112 28. Behind the Rocks
104 26. Pritchett Canyon
Difficult: Some trails suitable for
more aggressive stock vehicles but
most trails require vehicle modification.
Lifts, differential lockers,
aggressive articulation, and/or
winches recommended in many
cases. Skid plates and tow hooks
required. Body damage possible.
Grades can be steep with severe
ground undulation. Sideways tilt
can be extreme. Sand hills very
steep with soft downslopes. Deep
water crossings possible. Shelf roads
extremely narrow; use caution in
full-size vehicle. Read trail description
carefully. Passing may be difficult
with backing required for long
distances. Brush may scratch sides
of vehicle.
9

74
AREA 2
Central Moab
16. Gemini Bridges (E)
17. Metal Masher (D)
18. Long Canyon (E)
313
To I-70,
Crescent
Junction
N
CANYONLANDS
NATIONAL
PARK
Colorado
River
313
16
19
191
17
18
DEAD
HORSE
POINT
STATE
PARK
Colorado
River
19. Bull Canyon (M) 28. Behind the Rocks (D)
20. Gold Bar Rim (D) 29. Strike Ravine (D)
21. Poison Spider Mesa (D) 30. Picture Frame Arch (E)
22. Golden Spike (D) 31. Flat Iron Mesa (D)
23. Cliff Hanger (D) 32. Hell’s Revenge (D)
24. Hurrah Pass (E) 33. Fins & Things (D)
25. Moab Rim (D) 34. Sand Flats Road (E)
26. Pritchett Canyon (D)
27. Kane Creek Cyn. (D)
35. Steel Bender (D)
20
279
Grid size - 5 miles
© 2008 FunTreks, Inc.
23
22
21
Kane
Creek
Road
24
279
Chicken Corners
Trail #48, see
Area 4
ARCHES
NATIONAL
PARK
Moab
25
26
Easy
Moderate
Difficult
MINI KEY
Paved
Unpaved
Easy
Moderate
Difcult
27
32
Kane
Creek
Road
More Trails
Shadowed portion of trail
described in text.
128
Potato Salad
Hill
191
30
31
28
Colorado
River
33
35
Spanish
Valley
Drive
191
To Area 3,
I-70, Cisco
34
128
To Manti-
La Sal
N.F.
29
Area
BFE
To
La Sal
46
191
To Area 4,
Monticello
AREA 2
Central Moab
Fourteen of twenty trails in Area 2 are rated difficult. They include nationally
known names like Poison Spider Mesa, Golden Spike, Moab Rim,
Pritchett Canyon, Behind the Rocks and Hell’s Revenge. Obstacles include,
among others, White Knuckle Hill, the Golden Crack, Rocker Knocker,
High Dive, Hell's Gate and the Escalator. Many of the trails are featured
in the popular Easter Jeep Safari. Where possible, trails match the routes
driven during the safari. However, some longer routes have been shortened
and include only the best parts of the trails. Other routes like Steel Bender,
Bull Canyon and Hell's Revenge have been expanded, with new side trips
and obstacles. When I drove Area 2 back in 1999, for the first edition of this
book, route-finding on slickrock trails was almost impossible. This time,
trails were better marked with painted symbols and black tire marks. It was
much easier to find my way. This allowed me to simplify my directions and
to use fewer GPS waypoints. Strike Ravine, Trail #29, is new to this book.
The trail has taken on extra importance because of its proximity to newly
opened Area BFE, a privately owned extreme 4x4 playground open to the
public. (To find Area BFE, see page 214.)
Descending final section of Moab Rim, Trail #25, above the Colorado River, Difficult.
75

Mountain bikers walk across one of two bridges. It's a long way down, so be careful.
View from high shelf road.
GPS Waypoints (Datum WGS84)
01 N 38º 39.38´ W 109º 40.66´
02 N 38º 36.00´ W 109º 40.41´
03 N 38º 35.78´ W 109º 41.63´
04 N 38º 35.23´ W 109º 42.58´
05 N 38º 35.52´ W 109º 43.47´
06 N 38º 35.74´ W 109º 44.18´
76
Gemini Bridges
MINI KEY
Paved
Unpaved
Easy
Moderate
To
Hwy.
313
Difcult
More Trails
Shadowed portion of trail
described in text.
313
To
Canyonlands
National
Park
TO
METAL
MASHER
Trail #17
06
Gate
BLM
LAND
Four-Arches
Canyon
05
N
Arths
Pasture
P
04
313
© 2008 FunTreks, Inc.
To I-70
BLM
LAND
TO
METAL
MASHER
Trail #17
03
Campground
191
P
01
Gemini
Bridges
Road
High
shelf
road
Gooney
Bird Rock
TO
02
Start
BULL
Gemini CANYON
Bridges Trail #19
To Moab
TO
GOLD
BAR RIM
Trail #20
Grid size - 1 mile
Gemini Bridges 16
Location: From Moab, head north on Highway 191 about 10 miles and turn
left into a large parking lot. The turn is 1.3 miles before Highway 313.
Difficulty: Easy. The once-rocky road has been tamed with rock-grinding
equipment. One steep hill after Waypoint 02 still requires four-wheel drive.
Features: Beautiful scenery on way to remarkable Gemini Bridges. The
bridges are not apparent until you get close and look down. An extremely
popular mountain bike route. Please slow down to minimize dust when
passing. To view bridges from below, see Bull Canyon, Trail #19. Turn left
on road before Gooney Bird Rock for good camp spots.
Time & Distance: It is 7.8 miles to Gemini Bridges and another 5.6 miles
to Highway 313. Allow 2 to 3 hours for this 13.4-mile trip, plus return time.
Trail Description: Reset odometer when you turn left off Highway 191 [01].
Pass through parking lot, cross railroad tracks and turn left. Follow road south
along the tracks and turn right uphill in less than a mile. Follow twisting shelf
road as it continues south, high above Highway 191. Watch for busy traffic.
Descend into a wide valley and continue south past distinctive Gooney Bird
Rock. At 4.9 miles [02], turn right at T intersection and climb steep hill. Bear
right at 5.4 miles (left goes to Bull Canyon, Trail #19). Bear left at 6.5 miles
[03] (right goes to Metal Masher, Trail #17). At 7.5 miles, bear left (right
bypasses Gemini Bridges). Stay left into clearing at 7.7 miles. Continue short
distance and find a place to park at 7.8 miles [04]. Hike 0.2 miles south downhill
to arches (trail is marked with white painted dashes).
Return Trip: Return the way you came or exit west to Highway 313. To exit
west, reset odometer, head north from where you parked and turn left. At
0.9 miles [05], turn right at T (left goes to interesting Four Arches Canyon).
At 1.6 miles [06], turn left on wide gravel road and head west. When you
reach Highway 313 in another 3.7 miles, turn right to return to Moab. Left
goes to Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. You
can also return to Moab by turning left on Highway 313 and going down
Long Canyon, Trail #18. From there, a left on Highway 279 returns to 191.
Services: Gas and snacks available at campground on Highway 191, just
north of Highway 313. Fee parking lot at start sometimes has porta-potty.
Vault toilets at view areas along Highway 313.
Trail Information: BLM, Moab Field Office (see appendix).
77

Difficult spots have bypasses.
Sandy road through canyon is fun to drive. Hike to bottom of Gemini Bridges.
Bull Canyon METAL MASHER
Trail #17
TO HWY. 191
Steep
hill
GOLD BAR
RIM
Trail #20
TO
HWY.
313
84
MINI KEY
Paved
Unpaved
Easy
Moderate
Difcult
More Trails
Shadowed portion of trail
described in text.
Gemini
Bridges
© 2008 FunTreks, Inc.
04
05
GEMINI
BRIDGES
Trail #16
Grid size - 0.5 miles
BLM
LAND
01
02
Start
BLM
LAND
03
06
Day
Canyon
GPS Waypoints displayed in Degrees and Decimal Minutes (Datum WGS84)
01 N 38º 35.80´ W 109º 40.87´
02 N 38º 34.93´ W 109º 40.90´
03 N 38º 34.69´ W 109º 40.66´
N
Surprise
Overlook
Little
Canyon
(Difficult)
04 N 38º 34.88´ W 109º 42.13´
05 N 38º 35.07´ W 109º 42.30´
06 N 38º 34.62´ W 109º 40.37´
Bull Canyon 19
Starting Point: From Moab, head north on Highway 191 about 10 miles
and turn left into parking lot for Gemini Bridges, Trail #16. Reset odometer.
Cross railroad tracks and turn left. In less than a mile, follow the road right
uphill, then south along a high shelf road. Continue through valley past
Gooney Bird Rock to T intersection at 4.9 miles. (Gold Bar Rim goes left
here.) Turn right and climb steep hill. Turn left at 5.4 miles to start.
Difficulty: Moderate. Much of this trail follows a rocky creek bed which
can change after storms. A couple of difficult spots have bypasses. Suitable
for aggressive, high-clearance SUVs.
Features: Fun drive through narrow canyons and sandy swales that goes
past hiking trailhead to bottom of Gemini Bridges. Park here and hike short
distance to incredible view of bridges from below. Trail continues west from
Waypoint 04 and eventually narrows where you must turn around. Take
short trip south to Surprise Overlook into gaping Day Canyon.
Time & Distance: From start to bridges is about 3.2 miles. Trail continues
about a mile west after the hiking trail. Surprise Overlook is 0.4 miles more.
This trip, by itself, is a good half day adventure from Moab.
Trail Description: Reset odometer as you turn left off Gemini Bridges Road
[01]. Head south on wide road that gradually narrows and gets rougher.
Stay right at 1.1 miles [02]. (Road to left is difficult side trip through Little
Canyon that connects to Gold Bar Rim, Trail #20.) At 1.5 miles, turn right
downhill into Bull Canyon [03]. Trail winds through narrow wash then
opens up into a valley with towering rock walls. Stay on the main route
at all times. Stay off illegal side hills. Continue straight at 2.1 and left at
2.9. Wind between sand hills, until you reach hiking trail on right at about
3.2 miles [04]. Park here and hike north about 0.3 miles to reach bottom of
Gemini Bridges. [05]. Trail continues west and narrows to point where it is
difficult to turn around. Use caution not to go too far.
To reach Surprise Overlook, return to Waypoint 03 and turn right. Stay
left in sandy wash until trail ends at sandy knoll after another 0.4 miles [06].
Walk south for view into Day Canyon far below. Careful, no guardrails.
Return Trip: Return the way you came. (Option: Difficult Little Canyon)
Services: Gas at campground on Highway 191, just north of Highway 313.
Trail Information: BLM, Moab Field Office (see appendix).
85

Steep ledges at start of trail.
Pick your level of difficulty at the Z-Turn.
Vehicle slips dangerously off ledge at Waypoint 03.
98
04
Cliff Hanger
BLM
LAND
MINI KEY
Paved
Unpaved
Easy
Moderate
Difcult
More Trails
Shadowed portion of trail
described in text.
© 2008 FunTreks, Inc.
Dangerous
tippy spot
03
TO TRAIL #45
Jackson Ladder
bike carry
Jackson
Hole
279
Grid size - 0.5 miles
01 N 38º 31.45´ W 109º 36.10´
02 N 38º 31.15´ W 109º 37.12´
02
N
Big step
on ledge
road.
Narrow shelf road along cliff edge.
Turn around at final overlook.
Start of
Trail #21
Z-Turn
BLM
LAND
P
COLORADO RIVER
279
TO MOAB
01
P
TO TRAILS
#24, #27
GPS Waypoints displayed in Degrees and Decimal Minutes (Datum WGS84)
Kane
Creek
Road
Start
Kane
Creek Road
03 N 38º 31.80´ W 109º 38.01´
04 N 38º 31.63´ W 109º 38.54´
Starting Point: From the McDonald's Restaurant on Highway 191 on the
south side of Moab, head west on Kane Creek Road. Bear left at the first
major fork and follow Kane Creek Road south along the river. Continue
on a wide gravel road after pavement ends. After a parking lot for bikers,
continue a bit further to Amasa Back Bike Trail on the right. Total distance
from McDonalds is 5.9 miles.
Difficulty: Difficult. This trail was filled in with dirt for maintenance
recently, but the dirt is quickly washing away. Make no mistake, this trail is
strictly hardcore with many big ledges and challenging obstacles. Although
the big step on the ledge road is tamed somewhat, a new tippy spot has
developed farther down the trail. Trail not suitable for most stock vehicles.
Features: Real challenges with incredible scenery, especially at the end.
Heavy bike traffic. Be courteous. Pull over and let bikers pass.
Time & Distance: Main route is 4.3 miles one way. Add 1.4 miles for side
trip to overlook. Allow 3 to 4 hours for everything.
Trail Description: Reset odometer as you turn right off Kane Creek Road
[01]. Air drive down immediately and drop down steep ledges. At bottom of
hill, cross creek, follow trail to left up difficult ledge. Stay right at 0.4 miles.
Driver's choice at 1.1 miles; circle around to right or cut across slickrock.
Bear right at 1.7 where a lesser road goes left before reaching the Z-Turn at
1.8 miles. Zigzag right then left uphill. Stay left at 2.2 miles [02]. Road on
right goes to great overlook of Poison Spider Mesa and Colorado River.
As you proceed north on the main trail, it narrows and drops down
along the cliff edge with a big step down at 2.5. Continue straight at 3.1
where a lesser road goes right to another overlook. Be very careful at 3.3
miles [03]. You must straddle a narrow ledge that tips you to the right. It's
easy to roll over if your right tire slips into the soft dirt. The trail appears to
end at 3.5. Make a hard right here up some big ledges. Once on top, swing
right then back to the left. At 3.6, climb to opening at top of barren slickrock.
At 4.0, stay left up bank. Turn around at scenic viewpoint at 4.3 miles
[04]. Great spot for lunch. Caution: dangerous cliffs have no guardrails.
Return Trip: Return the way you came. Option: Add side trip to overlook.
Services: None. Return to Moab.
Cliff Hanger
Trail Information: BLM, Moab Field Office (see appendix).
23
99