4x4 TRAILS CAMP SYNCRO PHOTOS PARTICIPANTS
Moab Trail Descriptions
This page has the descriptions from the Red Rock 4-Wheelers 1998 newspaper for trails with a difficulty rating of 3 or less. These are the OLD trail rating system numbers in effect in 1998 and shown at the bottom of this page. Red Rock 4-Wheelers has since changed rating sysems, so please don't mistake these for the new ratings. The only intentional differences between the descriptions here and the ones printed by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers are the lack of trail leaders here and the addition of the trail use dates.
3-D Trail Rated: 3
The 3-D Trail tours the vicinity of colorful Hidden Canyon and Brink Spring, northwest of Moab. It visits the canyon bottom and canyon rim, and, finally, a higher overlook of the area (hence the name 3-D). A few of the hills have been known to challenge stock vehicles, but most of the tour is pleasant, scenic, family four-wheeling. Approximate mileages: 59 total, 28 off highway. An added feature for 1998 is the "Bonnet Run," a ladies-day special on Thursday for those who would like to do their driving without male advice.
Scenery: This canyon country is different from the Wingate-topped cliffs of the Moab Valley. The canyons are a few hundred feet deep in the smooth red-and-white layers of Entrada Sandstone, and the slickrock areas are made up of the white layer that caps the Entrada. Vistas are to the north toward the book cliffs.
Obstacles: Not far beyond Courthouse Rock is Airport View Hill where a few stock vehicles that still carry highway tire-pressure may try more than once. The sand of Hidden Canyon bottom may or may not be soft depending on moisture. The slickrock fields of Lunar Canyon and upper Brink Canyon are interesting but not steep. The climb out of the upper canyon first encounters The Wall, which looks like a rock wall to the uninitiated but is usually easily climbed by stock vehicles. Just past The Wall is Mean Hill, which climbs about 200 feet in two steep sections with a gentler slope in between. The first steep section has an eroded, low traction bypass that appeals to some. The final climb on Mean Hill looks worse than it is because it is on a "hogback" with a drop off either right or left, but the sight encourages everyone to make a good running start, and it has never given much trouble.
To be used: Palm Sunday - 4/5/98, Monday - 4/6/98, Thursday - 4/9/98 (ladies day), and Big Saturday - 4/11/98.
Scenery: This canyon country is different from the Wingate-topped cliffs of the Moab Valley. The canyons are a few hundred feet deep in the smooth red-and-white layers of Entrada Sandstone, and the slickrock areas are made up of the white layer that caps the Entrada. Vistas are to the north toward the book cliffs.
Obstacles: Not far beyond Courthouse Rock is Airport View Hill where a few stock vehicles that still carry highway tire-pressure may try more than once. The sand of Hidden Canyon bottom may or may not be soft depending on moisture. The slickrock fields of Lunar Canyon and upper Brink Canyon are interesting but not steep. The climb out of the upper canyon first encounters The Wall, which looks like a rock wall to the uninitiated but is usually easily climbed by stock vehicles. Just past The Wall is Mean Hill, which climbs about 200 feet in two steep sections with a gentler slope in between. The first steep section has an eroded, low traction bypass that appeals to some. The final climb on Mean Hill looks worse than it is because it is on a "hogback" with a drop off either right or left, but the sight encourages everyone to make a good running start, and it has never given much trouble.
To be used: Palm Sunday - 4/5/98, Monday - 4/6/98, Thursday - 4/9/98 (ladies day), and Big Saturday - 4/11/98.
Chicken Corners Rated: 2
The trail name dates from older days when only the least "chicken" passed Chicken Corners. Travel is easier, but it remains as scenic as ever. The trail follows the Colorado River downstream, squirms through lower Kane Springs Canyon, climbs and then descends the "Cane Creek Anticline" (spelling of the name is in dispute) over Hurrah Pass, and rejoins the river, a few hundred feet above it this time. The end of the vehicle trail is directly across the river from Dead Horse Point.
Scenery: Following the Colorado River canyon is a special treat in this area where it cuts deeply through a variety of rock layers. Lower Kane Springs Canyon is even deeper and much narrower. The climb to Hurrah Pass reveals another part of the Colorado River canyon - much wider than before and more than 2,000 feet below the mesa tops. The Hurrah Pass portion winds along over dark-red sandstone layers and occasionally overlooks startling precipices. There is an unusual limestone arch at the roadside. The final mile is on a bench about 400 feet directly above the river.
Road Surface: The road begins as gravel but becomes mostly red dirt and sand with the occasional appearances of sandstone bedrock.
Highlights: There are petroglyphs (ancient rock art) at the roadside. The ford of Kane Creek ranges from dry to window-deep (impassable after a real storm). The stop at a mound of especially red rocks visits some unusual caves caused by erosional undermining of hard sandstone layers. Chicken Corners is a point where the benchland pinches down to a narrow passage that tips toward the river 400 feet below.
To be used: Friday - 4/10/98, and Big Saturday - 4/11/98
Scenery: Following the Colorado River canyon is a special treat in this area where it cuts deeply through a variety of rock layers. Lower Kane Springs Canyon is even deeper and much narrower. The climb to Hurrah Pass reveals another part of the Colorado River canyon - much wider than before and more than 2,000 feet below the mesa tops. The Hurrah Pass portion winds along over dark-red sandstone layers and occasionally overlooks startling precipices. There is an unusual limestone arch at the roadside. The final mile is on a bench about 400 feet directly above the river.
Road Surface: The road begins as gravel but becomes mostly red dirt and sand with the occasional appearances of sandstone bedrock.
Highlights: There are petroglyphs (ancient rock art) at the roadside. The ford of Kane Creek ranges from dry to window-deep (impassable after a real storm). The stop at a mound of especially red rocks visits some unusual caves caused by erosional undermining of hard sandstone layers. Chicken Corners is a point where the benchland pinches down to a narrow passage that tips toward the river 400 feet below.
To be used: Friday - 4/10/98, and Big Saturday - 4/11/98
Copper Ridge Trail Rated: 3
This trail is a combination of several roads north of Moab and near the western boundary of Arches National Park. It lies east of the Moab Fault, so is in younger rock formations than many of our trails. Its slickrock is the top of the Entrada Formation, and its views are often of erosions into that formation. Prominent scenic exposures are in an area called Klondike Bluffs, some of which may be glimpsed to the east from Highway 191. Some of the roads are on the softer Morrison Formation, which can be impassably slippery when wet. In case it is completely dry, most of the trail could have a lower rating, but there are eroded trail portions that can challenge stock vehicles.
Scenery: The trail goes to an unexpected and beautiful pour-off of lower Sevenmile Canyon and past the slickrock area where Courthouse Wash first cuts into the Entrada Formation. The Klondike Bluffs exposure of white-capped red rock towers and canyon walls are at a moderate distance. There is a good view of Tower Arch, and some other arches are seen at a distance.
Road Surface: Most of the trail is dirt and rocky dirt, but there are a couple of long stretches of slickrock, and some broad, sandy washbottom.
Highlights: After a brief ride in sandy Courthouse Wash the trail goes near colorful hills that have yielded dinosaur bones. Toward the end of the day, some nicely exposed dinosaur tracks are visited on foot. Following the main section slickrock are two steep climbs on eroded dirt and rock. It also passes a few rem-nants of a movie set used in the 1960's film "Blue" with Ricardo Montalban.
To be used: First Saturday - 4/4/98, Wednesday - 4/8/98, and Big Saturday - 4/11/98
Scenery: The trail goes to an unexpected and beautiful pour-off of lower Sevenmile Canyon and past the slickrock area where Courthouse Wash first cuts into the Entrada Formation. The Klondike Bluffs exposure of white-capped red rock towers and canyon walls are at a moderate distance. There is a good view of Tower Arch, and some other arches are seen at a distance.
Road Surface: Most of the trail is dirt and rocky dirt, but there are a couple of long stretches of slickrock, and some broad, sandy washbottom.
Highlights: After a brief ride in sandy Courthouse Wash the trail goes near colorful hills that have yielded dinosaur bones. Toward the end of the day, some nicely exposed dinosaur tracks are visited on foot. Following the main section slickrock are two steep climbs on eroded dirt and rock. It also passes a few rem-nants of a movie set used in the 1960's film "Blue" with Ricardo Montalban.
To be used: First Saturday - 4/4/98, Wednesday - 4/8/98, and Big Saturday - 4/11/98
Crystal Geyser Trail Rated: 3
The Crystal Geyser trail will begin in Moab and finish car Green River for the convenience of those departing in at direction. The trail locale is south of Green River town and east of the river. The country is colorful and beautiful in a desolate way. The route passes near Dubinky Well and the rainbow rocks" country on the way to Salt Wash, Little Grand 'ash, and seldom-used mining trails through the stark slopes the Morrison formation. Most of the trail is quite easy, but a few gullies and rocks could trap vehicles with poor clearance.
Scenery: The always beautiful Entrada Sandstone layers are especially colorful in the rainbow rocks area. The Morrison slopes are fully as colorful but the soft material supports few sheer cliffs. Those of us who have never been on the moon suppose it might look like this—but with less color.
Road Surface: The sandy roads near rainbow rocks yield to dry-weather-only clay and shale residues later in the trail. There are some rocky washbottoms and numerous cross-cutting gullies.
Highlights: Short, steep climbs near rainbow rocks and Duma Point will test only the supermarket cruisers. The old mining roads nearer Green River have accumulated some sizable rocks that will cause everyone to watch wheel placement and fear for low-hanging parts. Crystal Geyser is one of the region's several man-made bore holes that tap cold water and CO2 to yield occasional (about twice a day) but spectacular geyser action.
To be used: Big Saturday - 4/11/98 & Easter Sunday - 4/12/98
Scenery: The always beautiful Entrada Sandstone layers are especially colorful in the rainbow rocks area. The Morrison slopes are fully as colorful but the soft material supports few sheer cliffs. Those of us who have never been on the moon suppose it might look like this—but with less color.
Road Surface: The sandy roads near rainbow rocks yield to dry-weather-only clay and shale residues later in the trail. There are some rocky washbottoms and numerous cross-cutting gullies.
Highlights: Short, steep climbs near rainbow rocks and Duma Point will test only the supermarket cruisers. The old mining roads nearer Green River have accumulated some sizable rocks that will cause everyone to watch wheel placement and fear for low-hanging parts. Crystal Geyser is one of the region's several man-made bore holes that tap cold water and CO2 to yield occasional (about twice a day) but spectacular geyser action.
To be used: Big Saturday - 4/11/98 & Easter Sunday - 4/12/98
Dome Plateau Trail Rated: 3
Dome Plateau is a large highland area north of the Colorado River and east of Arches National Park. To reach the region from Moab, one must travel more than 25 miles of highway to enter either from U.S. 191 on the west, 1-70 on the north, or UT 128 just beyond Dewey Bridge on the east. The southern highlands are forested with pinyon and juniper and are cut by canyons. The Poison Strip and Yellowcat, which may be visited, is the locale of many old vanadium and uranium mines. The whole area sees little traffic these days. The "3" rating is a compromise between the very easy parts and one hill that is a little harder.
Scenery: The trail goes up the Colorado River to leave the highway just past the Dewey Bridge. It follows below the line of Entrada Sandstone cliffs that have three noteworthy arches in the first few miles. The plateau slopes upward to the south but is broken by canyons, two of which are crossed on the way to the prime viewpoint high above the Colorado River. The trail route returning northward views distant arches in Arches National Park and passes near La Boca Arch. Some interesting sandstone caves may be visited.
Road Surface: Most of the trail is dirt. The eastern part is sandy, rocky, and bumpy, but the northern and western parts (which your trail leader may not use) have silty dirt that becomes impassable when wet. One hill has some rock ledges and loose rock. There are about 30 miles of paved access road at each end of the trail.
Highlights: The Colorado River Canyon is an exceptional sight both from along the river and from the cliffs 1,700 feet above it. "Again-and-Again Hill" seems in the middle of nowhere.
To be used: Saturday - 4/4/98, Monday - 4/6/98, Friday - 4/10/98, & Big Saturday - 4/11/98
Scenery: The trail goes up the Colorado River to leave the highway just past the Dewey Bridge. It follows below the line of Entrada Sandstone cliffs that have three noteworthy arches in the first few miles. The plateau slopes upward to the south but is broken by canyons, two of which are crossed on the way to the prime viewpoint high above the Colorado River. The trail route returning northward views distant arches in Arches National Park and passes near La Boca Arch. Some interesting sandstone caves may be visited.
Road Surface: Most of the trail is dirt. The eastern part is sandy, rocky, and bumpy, but the northern and western parts (which your trail leader may not use) have silty dirt that becomes impassable when wet. One hill has some rock ledges and loose rock. There are about 30 miles of paved access road at each end of the trail.
Highlights: The Colorado River Canyon is an exceptional sight both from along the river and from the cliffs 1,700 feet above it. "Again-and-Again Hill" seems in the middle of nowhere.
To be used: Saturday - 4/4/98, Monday - 4/6/98, Friday - 4/10/98, & Big Saturday - 4/11/98
Secret Spire Trail Rated: 2.5
This trail rides the rolling mesa top between two of the Green River's large tributary canyons, Hellroaring and Spring Canyon to visit a strange tower, dubbed the Secret Spire. It is a good trail for some mild four-wheeling through an interesting and scenic expanse of country.
Scenery: The large vistas are to the west and to the north and encompass the San Rafael Reef, the Book Cliffs, and a glimpse of the Green River. Those close-up views are into deep, rugged canyons and a range of local rock formations, including arches and towers. Bluffs of Entrada Sandstone, called Needles Rock and Rainbow Rocks, stand high above the trail.
Road Surface: After twenty miles of pavement, the roads are mostly sandy dirt - sometimes mostly sand and sometimes laced with rock. There is some sandy washbottom and a little bare rock.
Highlights: Near upper Spring Canyon washbottom, one gully often washes out and may have to be repaired a bit. A tricky section of road leads to Dellenbaugh Tunnel, which is a strange, usually dry watercourse piercing the Navajo Sandstone. The tunnel is about 100 feet long and high enough that one hardly needs to stoop to walk through. The floor of the tunnel is a limestone layer rich in red chert, and it extends another couple of hundred feet to an abrupt drop into Spring Canyon. The Secret Spire is an odd tower of Navajo Sandstone standing alone on a dome-like base. Nearby are two small arches, one of which is just beside the main road but is easily missed.
To be used: Wednesday - 4/8/98, and Big Saturday - 4/11/98
Scenery: The large vistas are to the west and to the north and encompass the San Rafael Reef, the Book Cliffs, and a glimpse of the Green River. Those close-up views are into deep, rugged canyons and a range of local rock formations, including arches and towers. Bluffs of Entrada Sandstone, called Needles Rock and Rainbow Rocks, stand high above the trail.
Road Surface: After twenty miles of pavement, the roads are mostly sandy dirt - sometimes mostly sand and sometimes laced with rock. There is some sandy washbottom and a little bare rock.
Highlights: Near upper Spring Canyon washbottom, one gully often washes out and may have to be repaired a bit. A tricky section of road leads to Dellenbaugh Tunnel, which is a strange, usually dry watercourse piercing the Navajo Sandstone. The tunnel is about 100 feet long and high enough that one hardly needs to stoop to walk through. The floor of the tunnel is a limestone layer rich in red chert, and it extends another couple of hundred feet to an abrupt drop into Spring Canyon. The Secret Spire is an odd tower of Navajo Sandstone standing alone on a dome-like base. Nearby are two small arches, one of which is just beside the main road but is easily missed.
To be used: Wednesday - 4/8/98, and Big Saturday - 4/11/98
Hellroaring Rim Trail Rated: 3
The four-wheeling part of the trail is on Mineral Point, part of the mesa coun-try between the long, deep gashes of Mineral and Hellroaring Can-yons. These side canyons drain into Labyrinth Canyon of the Green River. The headwaters of these and many other canyons around here are shallow, normally dry drainages that suddenly plunge over rimrock into deep canyons. There is just over 20 miles of paved road to the trail start near the Dubinky Well Road. This is a pleasant, scenic family trail, but inexperi-enced drivers will have a chance to be amazed at what their vehicles will do. Approximate mileages: 80 total, 37 off highway.
Scenery: There are glimpses of Hellroaring Canyon along the way, but the final overlook near its confluence with the Green River in Labyrinth Canyon is exceptional. Hellroaring Window is viewed from the upper part of the canyon rim. A ridge top provides a view 50 miles or more in all directions.
Road Surface: Most of this trail, like many other local trails, was scratched into the formation called Kayenta. It provides a variety of shale and sandstone that erode into rocky ledges, broken rock, and sandy dirt.
Obstacles: Several ledgy, sandy, and switchbacked hills provide interest-ing four-wheeling. One sand hill can be difficult when dry, but it can be bypassed.
To be used: Wednesday - 4/8/98 & Big Saturday. - 4/11/98
Scenery: There are glimpses of Hellroaring Canyon along the way, but the final overlook near its confluence with the Green River in Labyrinth Canyon is exceptional. Hellroaring Window is viewed from the upper part of the canyon rim. A ridge top provides a view 50 miles or more in all directions.
Road Surface: Most of this trail, like many other local trails, was scratched into the formation called Kayenta. It provides a variety of shale and sandstone that erode into rocky ledges, broken rock, and sandy dirt.
Obstacles: Several ledgy, sandy, and switchbacked hills provide interest-ing four-wheeling. One sand hill can be difficult when dry, but it can be bypassed.
To be used: Wednesday - 4/8/98 & Big Saturday. - 4/11/98
Top of the World Rated: 3
"Top of the World" is a viewpoint on Waring Mesa. It has a spectacular view of Fisher Valley, Onion Creek, and the La Sal Mountains, but this view is only part of the variety of landscapes seen from this trail. Waring Mesa is east of Moab and south of the Dewey Bridge crossing of the Colorado River. In addition to the 7,000-foot viewpoint at Top of the World, the route includes Sevenmile Mesa, the canyon of Fish Creek, Fisher Valley, and Onion Creek with its unusual, narrow canyon. Above Fisher Creek is possibly the longest of our steep and rocky hills (called "Rose Garden Hill"). There are 32 miles of pavement at one end of the off-road trail and 22 miles at the other. Departures have been moved up to 8:00 a.m. for this rather long trail.
Scenery: The Entrada Sandstone is beautiful wherever it is exposed, and we travel the base of a long stretch of itc cliffs near the rivers. The Top of the World viewpoint is a cliff edge above Fisher Valley and Onion Creek with the La Sal Mountains in the southern background, but there are vistas of distant plains and the Book Cliffs to the north. Narrow Onion Creek canyon is different from anything else in the area.
Road Surface: There is some graded road, but most is broken layered rock. A rocky creek bottom may be used if there is time.
Highlights: Top of the World viewpoint is worth the trip even without the other good stuff. This trail will go down Rose Garden Hill, but that is an interesting ride either way. Onion Creek has spectacular narrows either from the county-road route or the older creek-bottom option.
To be used: Palm Sunday - 4/5/98 & Thursday - 4/9/98 Both departures at 8:00 a.m.
Scenery: The Entrada Sandstone is beautiful wherever it is exposed, and we travel the base of a long stretch of itc cliffs near the rivers. The Top of the World viewpoint is a cliff edge above Fisher Valley and Onion Creek with the La Sal Mountains in the southern background, but there are vistas of distant plains and the Book Cliffs to the north. Narrow Onion Creek canyon is different from anything else in the area.
Road Surface: There is some graded road, but most is broken layered rock. A rocky creek bottom may be used if there is time.
Highlights: Top of the World viewpoint is worth the trip even without the other good stuff. This trail will go down Rose Garden Hill, but that is an interesting ride either way. Onion Creek has spectacular narrows either from the county-road route or the older creek-bottom option.
To be used: Palm Sunday - 4/5/98 & Thursday - 4/9/98 Both departures at 8:00 a.m.
Red Rock 4-Wheelers Trail Rating System (1998)
The trails are rated from 1-5, with 1 being easiest and 5 being impassable.
1 All weather road; 4WD not needed.
1.5 Graded road; 4WD may be needed in poor weather.
2 Unimproved or rarely graded road. 4WD or extra clearance needed at times, with no special driving skills required.
2.5 Road rarely maintained. 4WD, good clearance, and low gears often needed, with some extra care and a bit of driving experience useful.
3 Road in difficult terrain, rarely maintained. 4WD, good clearance, and low gears essential, with some driving skill and daring required.
3.5 Road in difficult terrain, probably maintained only by occasional users. Excellent stock truck or utility vehicle required, with considerable driving skill and daring required.
4 Trail either never bladed or badly eroded. Stick vehicles are in jeopardy. Modifications for improved off-road performance and top driving skills required.
4+ We can hardly improve on the original description written a few years ago by Jack Bickers: "with driving by World Class Yahoo Jeepers not much concerned with vehicle durability or personal safety." It is common to have as many as 10 percent of the vehicles experience major mechanical failures (gears, axles, driveshafts) on these trails.
1 All weather road; 4WD not needed.
1.5 Graded road; 4WD may be needed in poor weather.
2 Unimproved or rarely graded road. 4WD or extra clearance needed at times, with no special driving skills required.
2.5 Road rarely maintained. 4WD, good clearance, and low gears often needed, with some extra care and a bit of driving experience useful.
3 Road in difficult terrain, rarely maintained. 4WD, good clearance, and low gears essential, with some driving skill and daring required.
3.5 Road in difficult terrain, probably maintained only by occasional users. Excellent stock truck or utility vehicle required, with considerable driving skill and daring required.
4 Trail either never bladed or badly eroded. Stick vehicles are in jeopardy. Modifications for improved off-road performance and top driving skills required.
4+ We can hardly improve on the original description written a few years ago by Jack Bickers: "with driving by World Class Yahoo Jeepers not much concerned with vehicle durability or personal safety." It is common to have as many as 10 percent of the vehicles experience major mechanical failures (gears, axles, driveshafts) on these trails.