Elemental

[R]

My friend Michael (zig81.com) has offered the use of his Honda Element if I want to bring it to Utah. This opens a new category of travel opportunities for us, places that my Grand Am could not go. I realize it's not a Jeep, but it does offer full-time four wheel drive, and better clearance than my car. I have my maps out and I am starting to thing about how to take advantage of the possibilities. My question for those who know the backcountry roads of southern Utah better than I is this: where can the Element get me? I am already looking at the Shafer Trail at Canyonlands, the Gemini Bridges, Coyote Gulch, and maybe some locations in the Swell, as well as Blanca Peak in Colorado (which would be my first 14er). What do you think?

[JP]

The big problem with the Element is ground clearance. There really isn't that much more than that of a passenger car. But, at least it has that Real Time 4wd feature :haha:

[R]

The big problem with the Element is ground clearance. There really isn't that much more than that of a passenger car. But, at least it has that Real Time 4wd feature :haha:

I can appreciate that. But keep in mind that I scrape the spoiler on my Grand Am (it's a GT) when I go over bigger speed bumps. :sad:

[JP]

I can appreciate that. But keep in mind that I scrape the spoiler on my Grand Am (it's a GT) when I go over bigger speed bumps. :sad:
LOL, there's no doubt that you'll be a little better off :2thumbs:

[Rev. Coyote]

Richard;

My wife and I have an Element, and it's a great little car for sloppy road conditions and wonderful to load down with camp gear, band equipment, whatever. I've even slept in it. HOWEVER, be careful off-road with clearance. For instance, Gemini or Schaefer Trail might give you trouble, whereas the Swell should be OK.

Also, don't expect stellar gas milage. Best we get is about 25.

My redesign would contract OME to come up with a beefy "Baja" suspension package and include a turbo diesel. Now THAT would be sweet.

Also, Mr. Barron, when are you looking at coming to SE Utah?

[R]

Also, Mr. Barron, when are you looking at coming to SE Utah?

Good question. As you recall, when Abby was hospitalized one of her recovery goals was to return to Delicate Arch (where we got married) in October. We have returned for all three of our anniversaries, so I feel we will at the very least be there in October. Also, I still have all of my vacation unused, so I might shoot for another solo adventure in November, which is always my favorite time to be there. Nothing is solid right now.

One thing Abby and I like to do is hike with our dogs, which usually isn't possible in the national parks, so we are always looking for good dog-friendly hiking.

[R]

BUMP.

Come on Jeepers, give me the word. Bogley can't just be for Tanya's avatar!

[Rev. Coyote]

BUMP.

Come on Jeepers, give me the word. Bogley can't just be for Tanya's avatar!

What, my firsthand experience with the Element ain't good enough? I can even tell you the secrets of getting the *&^&$?!! oil filter off.

[R]

BUMP.

Come on Jeepers, give me the word. Bogley can't just be for Tanya's avatar!

What, my firsthand experience with the Element ain't good enough? I can even tell you the secrets of getting the *&^&$?!! oil filter off.

Yes, appreciated very much. I was more hoping for some road and trail recommendations, though. Got some Elemental suggestions? :nod:

[Alex]

I laugh at people who tell me where I can't go. I have two Hondas (Element and Civic). Of course I can't go rock crawling in either, but I haven't been stopped getting to my activity destination yet, in either car!

I have "four wheeled" everything around Canyonlands, the flush flood stopped me getting further. The clearance is a problem with the Element, but we have two types of roads in Utah: 2WD and 4WD. 4WD is meant for built up jeeps, 2WD is everything else. The 2WD roads I have been on all have been nicely groomed. You might have pot holes here and there, but it's never been a problem for me. Don't expect an Element to go rock crawling :lol8:

That said, Element is by far my most favorite car.

Camping:
http://max.kazkat.com/albums/album42/IMG_0594.sized.jpg

Canyonlands, the dirt roads outside of the Needless:
http://max.kazkat.com/albums/album50/IMG_2696.sized.jpg

Towing a camper:
http://max.kazkat.com/albums/album52/IMG_1833.sized.jpg

Camping and "wheeling" around Goblin Valley:
http://max.kazkat.com/albums/album52/IMG_1956.sized.jpg

Mineral Bottom on the other side of the Gemini Bridges:
http://www.utahbp.com/gallery2/d/56101-2/IMG_0634.jpg

I have to say, I did put beefier tires on now because the rivers I float take me to some rough terrain for put-in/take-out. The whole Vernal/Duschane area is bad on tires/cars.

[sparker1]

I've done Shafer Trail and similar roads with my Pilot, but wouldn't want to do them in an Element. As Alex says, you can do a lot of back roads by being careful of your speed and line. However, conditions change due to weather, etc so what is easy today may not be next week. You may have to do like I do. I try a road until I can't go any farther, then turn around and complain all the way back.

[erial]

You won't be able to get your Element up the Lake Como rd to reach the Blanca Peak trailhead. You would have to roadwalk/backpack your way up the 4 miles to the lake. On foot, you still might make better time that the jeeps. Como is one tough road.

You might consider heading to Mt. Lindsey instead. Your Element ought to be able to handle the dirt roads to that trailhead.

Last April (2007) I was able to visit Gemini Bridges and other arches in that area via 2wd drive rental car. I also made it down Long Canyon although i did have to do a little road construction at one point in order to avoid bottoming out. Also was able to navigate the dirt roads north of Arches NP in order to visit Boca , Covert, and Winter Camp Arches. Your Element should have no problem traveling those roads.

[trackrunner]

via 2wd drive rental car.

What's the difference between a jeep and a rental car . . .












































There is just some places a jeep won't go. :lol8: :lol8: :lol8:

[Alex]

I try a road until I can't go any farther, then turn around and complain all the way back.

Hey! Stop copy catting me! :lol8: :2thumbs: :five:


There is just some places a jeep won't go. lol8 lol8 lol8

Soooo true! :roflol:

[R]

Thanks everyone. I have to say that I have taken my Grand Am places I didn't think it would go, like up to the base of Shiprock Peak, which is served by a very unimproved road. Still, there are places I just say no. A significant factor is attack and departure angles, which are quite shallow with the spoilers on my car, though somewhat steeper in a vehicle like the Element. The sport suspension just rattles my teeth out of my head in the Grand Am on those rough backcountry roads - the Element is definitely better in that respect. So, a quick look at the maps...

-How far down the Kane Creek Road could the Element take me?
-What's to see on the Cotter Mine Road? One of my maps shows a lot, the other not much.
-Long Canyon Road, from either end (but obviously not the Jeep section) - worth it?
-Flat Iron Mesa road?
-Where could it take me in the Swell that I couldn't go in my car?
-Same question for Escalante.

Thanks in advance. -R

[Iceaxe]

What's the difference between a jeep and a rental car . . .

Oh.... I have so many good stories involving rent-a-racers. :lol8:

Cover your ears Mr. Hertz....

Did you know that a Camero will go into reverse at 75 on the freeway? Yup.... just smack the shifter forward with a solid rap at a 45 degree angle.... but it fills the car with tire smoke and you will not have reverse for the rest of your rental visit..... and it looks funny when your passengers are fanning the doors to clear the car of tire smoke so you can see to drive...

And did you know that a Dodge Intrepid will jump the 10' wide canal full of water that runs parallel to the access road exiting Phoenix International Raceway? Yup, just hit the riser on the near side at about 60 and you will land smoothly on the far side riser.... sure beats sitting in a 3 hour traffic jam after a big race.

And did you know that you can actually lap a rent a racer around a National Championship Motocross track? Yup.... the key is to carry plenty of speed into the triples....

:roflol:

[JP]

BUMP.

Come on Jeepers, give me the word. Bogley can't just be for Tanya's avatar!
You cannot expect a Jeeper to know where an Element can travel, two different animals.



via 2wd drive rental car.

What's the difference between a jeep and a rental car . . .

There is just some places a jeep won't go. :lol8: :lol8: :lol8:
Show me :mrgreen: And I'll show you places anything but won't go :lol8:

[sparker1]

Last April (2007) I was able to visit Gemini Bridges and other arches in that area via 2wd drive rental car. I also made it down Long Canyon although i did have to do a little road construction at one point in order to avoid bottoming out.

A 2WD rental car will go ANYWHERE! On one of the rough roads near Crested Butte, CO last year, a rental Impala arrived while we were at an overlook. I was amazed he had made it that far, but he swore he had never scraped even once. (Liar.) I gave him the directions he wanted, but I could tell he missed the next turn.

I had to do a little construction going up Long Canyon. Just a few rocks in the rut to get us over that mini-boulder.

[JP]

I had to do a little construction going up Long Canyon. Just a few rocks in the rut to get us over that mini-boulder.
Speed :lol8:

[sparker1]

Drive Kane Creek Rd for sure. Even if it gets too rough for you, you will have passed lots of good scenery and tons of petroglyphs (but you have to look carefully for some of them).

[R]

BUMP.

Come on Jeepers, give me the word. Bogley can't just be for Tanya's avatar!
You cannot expect a Jeeper to know where an Element can travel, two different animals.

Yes, but the Jeepers have been on the most roads, and know which roads are "Jeep only."

[erial]

I've found the main roads in Escalante and the Swell to be passable for 2wd. Washboarded often, but if dry, always passable. In my experience the side roads such as the one to Coyote Gulch or San Rafael Knob aren't particularly rough, but they can be sandy in spots. If your Element can handle sandy tracks in Oklahoma, you shouldn't get stuck in Utah.