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Since the Mineral Bottom Road is still closed (which makes the White Rim Loop out of service), I was thinking of going over Hurrah Pass through Lockhart Basin and to the Needles (at least when some of the snow melts).
Does anyone have an idea of conditions?
Last time I was there, a rockslide blocked the road south of Hurrah Pass (long since fixed) and I had to backtrack the entire way back to the Needles, so I thought I'd check conditions first this time.:haha:
going from moab to needles via that route requires you to go up one really difficult section of road a little ways past the turnoff to chicken corners. i think it was called hell hole (or something like that) i'm glad i was coming down instead. not sure if i could have gotten up in my stock 4 runner. it was pretty rough with a lot of big steps in a row.
That spot has gotten ugly. I had driven it years ago in a Jeep and it wasn't to bad. Rode a motorcycle thru this fall and was amazed at how bad it had become. A guy was going thru in a TJ with 33's on it and he was struggling. There is one spot with some big rocks and nasty shelves that have "I like to eat running boards written all over them". If your going to try it in a basic rig I would definitely go south to north. The county ought to do a little work on it cause the rest of the road is a freeway. If you came all the way from Needles in your Suburban and had to back track you would probably not be to happy. Better hurry if you want to go because I am sure it will be a Wilderness Study area soon.:angryfire:
yea that's the place. i had it fill some holes and chink it just to get down it. rock crawler country, that bit.
That's the place I had to do in both directions since I had to backtrack south all the way from near Hurrah Pass (when I got all the way back someone had just posted on a board that the road was closed, but I was too late). It sounds like the road has gotten even worse at that place. At least if I was stopped there, it wouldn't require that much backtracking no matter which direction I came from.Quote:
going from moab to needles via that route requires you to go up one really difficult section of road a little ways past the turnoff to chicken corners.
The only reason I was thinking north to south is that if I had to turn back, I would still get to see the sections I missed last time, but I had forgot how nasty that one place was. I was hoping to do some hikes on the northern end, so I guess if I go I'll forget about doing a one way trip and just make it an out and back instead.
Thanks for the info.
we want to do south to north in march. pretty much stock tacoma, 32s, intermediate driver, seems like a fun overnighter to get back to moab from the needles. haven't decided for sure yet. who do i call for up-to-date closers? any other suggestions for a back up trail if it is closed?
moab mark..which way was the tj goin?
denaliguide...when did you do it?
Scott P when are you plannin on doin it? maybe i could get a trail report?
thanks!
dburt
i went from the needles to moab. much easier going down that hard section. it as about 2004
I'm not sure yet. It depends on what we do Presidents Day Weekend. It depends on which partner's I find to go and the weather (hoping to do some technical canyons, but if not the above is one of the backup plans).Quote:
Scott P when are you plannin on doin it?
I haven't been through there for several years, but the section climbing up and out of what these guys are referring to below was incredibly nasty. it took me and buddy in a tits out rubicon several tries to make it through, I was pretty concerned as to whether or not we'd made a horrible decision trying it.
OK, so I guess I'll completely forget any hints about even trying it with my old Pathfider.:haha: Since I took my Samurai, it must have been in 1994 since I was there last.Quote:
it took me and buddy in a tits out rubicon several tries to make it through, I was pretty concerned as to whether or not we'd made a horrible decision trying it.
Scott;
I hope you'll keep me informed if you decide on a date for this trip and the route you plan to take. I'd be interested in going along but my CJ-5 Heep is pretty much stock.
Yers,
Eric
eprobe2002@yahoo.com
Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes!
Never could get a definate answer out of anyone there if it had been fixed or not. One ranger told me that she had heard that it was, but wasn't sure. I decided that a six hour drive to find out wasn't worth it. Did go to hurrah pass the other way..amazing views! Didn't have time to go look at the rough part. Going back in September, if anyone finds out the status let me know how it is!
Mineral Bottom and White Rim Trail are in fact open, ahead of schedule and well below budget
Please let me know if anyone does this trail in April. I am think of doing it first week of May, 2011 needles to moab.
How far can you go on the Chicken Corners trail?
Thanks
Until it ends.:lol8: When you get to the end make sure you do the hike around the corner. It's where the trail gets it name. Also stop at the wind caves on your way to Hurrah Pass, pretty cool. I seriously doubt the county has done any work on that road. To make it passable for SUV's would be a pretty pricey job.Quote:
Originally Posted by g395
Lockhart Basin & Hurrah Pass were clear and driveable as of last weekend, a gent on ExpeditionUtah.com just posted a trip report of that exact route. Good luck!Quote:
Originally Posted by g395
ExpUt....Looked for the post on ExpeditionUtah.com couldn't find which one it was..can you point me in the right direction?
thanks
No prob: http://www.expeditionutah.com/forum/...ead.php?t=1875Quote:
Originally Posted by dburt
Ok, well I'm headed back to the area again this weekend. Anyone know if it is still open? Maybe I wont do the whole thing, just to the trail that goes down to the river. Anyone camped there? Thanks
Yes, we've camped just outside the park boundary in Lockhart Canyon, some decent primitive sites. You can bushwack right down to the river if your up for a cold swim too.Quote:
Originally Posted by dburt
Did you go?
No, we did some different, shorter trails instead, however, we are still interested. Plannning another week in moab in April. Hoping to get it this time. Anyone know how it is now?
About two weeks ago, I drove the Lockhart Basin Rd in its entirety from north to south.Quote:
Originally Posted by dburt
I had trouble right after turning off from the Hurrah Pass/Chicken Corners Road. By which I mean, I had a hard time figuring out which way to go as there were tire tracks going in multiple directions. :lol8: After exploring a bit on foot, I finally identified the actual road (a turn to the left as you come from the north) and quickly reached the "fun" part.
I was driving by myself, so several times I had to get out and evaluate my next move. I don't recall doing much rock-stacking but yes, the first ~ 4 miles has its moments. I got some use out of my differential lock and my rocker guards a few times.
I also took the spur road down to the river. I didn't camp but did have a lunch break at the road's end. From there I could hear some people down near the water, but due to the vegetation couldn't see them and I didn't bother trying to follow the use trail down.
My chariot was the one in my avatar: a 2010 Xterra Offroad, with a 3" lift; BFG All Terrain TA's (aired down); stock rear locker; and Shrockworks rocker guards, skid plates, and front bumper/bullbar.
Sounds pretty rough (and fun)! What would you rate it if I was to go south to north?...Just got back from the area yesterday. Talked about doing the trail since we had another vehicle with us. Ended up doing the white rim since we didn't have info on the fun part of lockhart, didnt want to have to turn around. Hoping to go back in October...maybe then!?
If you were going south to north, then you'd be going downhill on the rougher parts. Of course the risk is, if you did run into something impassable (possibly due to storm damage, etc.), it's a looonngg way back! That's something I always consider a risk on such a long route.
What kind of vehicle(s) will be making the attempt? I sure wouldn't recommend longer wheelbases such as larger SUV's or longer pick-ups. I also recall a spot on a shelf where the road was rather narrow. It seemed more of a squeeze than anything on the Chicken Corners spur (which I drove a day earlier). So an H2 might not be good either. :haha:
tacoma xtra cab 31s...i guess if i really wanted to do it, i could bring extra gas and make sure i have an xtra day in case..
several years ago i took my stock 4runner from south to north. i was glad to be going down the section known as "hell hill". going up that would have been impossible in my rig. like i said that was many years ago and i don't know the current condition of the road.
OK, I finally made it there (today).
In my (stock except for oversized off road tires) 90's Pathfinder, I made it up all the slickrock ledges on Hell Hill, but had to stop at a boulder just before the slickrock V-groove (Scraping bottom a few times). With a spotter I probably could have made it over this, but I couldn't have made the last obstacle in my vehicle (downhill may have been possible, but I probably would have damaged the vehicle at that one obstacle), two boulders in the road just before topping out in the wash. I walked that part. After the two boulders, there is a rough spot on the traverse, but if you make it over those two big rocks, it won't be a problem. I also did the Chicken Corners and Jackson Hole routes. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera on this trip :facepalm1: and saw all kinds of spectacular scenery.
I also hike to the top of the rock at the Catacombs, explored the little caves, and did the hike at Chicken Corners (which seems narrower and scarier when I did it before). I didn't think I'd have time to climb/hike Jacksons Ladder, so didn't do that part. I also hiked up Hunter Canyon. I had hoped to see some petroglyph panels in the area, but it was dark when I got out of Hunter Canyon and I ran out of time. Long day.
I have some older picture from that nasty little Canyon between Chicken Corner Trail and Lockhart Basin Trail.
These ones with the Explorer are from 1993, the Chevrolet Blazer might be 2000 or so.
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-A04_8.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-B07_8.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-B10_8.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-B18_8.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-A07_8.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-B12_8.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-B21_8.jpg
Coolant too hot at nearly 100°F in the Canyon!
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-B13_8.jpg
View from top
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-B14_8.jpg
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-A10_8.jpg
Starting upwards with the Explorer
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-A11_8.jpg
The final step
http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA...hart-A12_8.jpg
We did it! The proof is in the track!