Gateway to Moab

[IntrepidXJ]

Saturday, May 3, 2008


Originally, I was supposed to go to Moab this weekend with Amanda for her birthday trip. Unfortunately, she ended up having to work today, so we are putting that trip off until next weekend. However, I still wanted to get out and do a little exploring on my own, instead of sticking around the house all day. Last year I travelled to Moab through Gateway, Colorado and thought it would be fun to do a little exploring in that area.

The road through John Brown Canyon

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/118087-1/IMG_3269.JPG

Spot the small hole in the rock

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/118098-1/IMG_3274.JPG

Found this old truck cab on South Beaver Mesa

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/118233-1/IMG_3295.JPG

Snowy La Sals

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A little used two-track that dead ended at a cool overlook

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I took a side road to Beaver Basin until I ran into too much snow and mud and had to turn around. A little snow bashing...

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I ended up taking the La Sal Mountain Loop and following part of the Kokopelli Trail to the Sand Flats Road. The section of the Kokopelli Trail that I followed, ended up being quite a bit narrower and much more rutted out that I thought it would be.

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After stopping in Moab to fuel up again, I headed back to Gateway.

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Heading back into John Brown Canyon

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Once got back to Gateway, I followed a road along the Dolores River for a while until I was back in Utah again. I wasn't sure what to expect, but there sure was some great scenery in this canyon. I'd love to raft this stretch of the Dolores some day, too.

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Stopped and took a picture of the Driggs Mansion and Thimble rock on my way home through Unaweep Canyon

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[JBinCO]

Hi there. Is this route (John Brown Canyon to Moab) drivable in a Subaru outback in early April? Some of my maps show it as a 2wd road. Thanks, and also thanks for all the good info!

PS just to clarify- you come out the Moab side on Castle Valley Road?

[JBinCO]

bump- anyone know this road?

[Sandstone Addiction]

I haven't been across this road for years, but back then the road was good for any 2WD and looked very similar to these pics.

The problem you most likely will encounter is snow, I'll bet it hangs on the north slopes of the La Sals until sometime in May (or later).

Also, Randy drove on around on the loop road to the road that goes west across Sand Flats to Moab. He doesn't state it, but it appears that he drove through Castle Valley on the return trip.

Hope this helps.

[JBinCO]

Indeed this helps. Where is sand flats?

[Sombeech]

Indeed this helps. Where is sand flats?

Here it is, it runs East from Moab, it starts out passing Lions Back and Slickrock Bike Trail. (use Satellite mode to view)

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sand+Flats+Road,+Moab,+UT&hl=en&ll=38.583398,-109.486399&spn=0.057365,0.111494&sll=39.499761,-111.547028&sspn=7.246575,14.27124&oq=sand+flat&hnear=Sand+Flats+Rd,+Moab,+Grand,+Utah+84532&t=h&z=14

[Sandstone Addiction]

Where is sand flats?



Sand Flats and the Sand Flats Road are directly east of Moab and include the dump, Slickrock Bike Trail, Fins and Things Jeep trail and the beginning of Porcupine Rim Jeep/bike trail. The road is one way to connect Moab to the La Sal Loop Road.

[JBinCO]

Outback made it through fine. there was a couple spots that any more snow would have turned us back. thanks.