RockyMtRebel previously posted:
"So I have an idea, let me know if this interests anyone!
Meet in Monticello, UT and gas up (bringing 5-10 extra gallons each, which I can help carry in my truck). Take Hwy 191 north a couple miles to 211 and take that towards Canyonlands NP and head west on Cottonwood Bridger / Beef Basin Road. This is the start of my proposed 2 night trail. This road winds west and after about 25 miles intersects at the base of Horse mountain, we head right/north and head up towards Beef Basin. After 9 miles the road intersects and multiple options and roads lead in and around Beef basin. This area is filled with petroglyphs, Anasazi ruins and other amazing sights. We could spend days exploring here but I’m thinking we explore and find our camp for the night somewhere here. Dispersed camping is allowed and this area is very remote.
The next morning we would continue exploring but eventually start heading north on the main road out of Beef basin towards Canyonlands and Elephant Hill. Bobby’s Hole is a moderate-difficult section that will take us out of Beef basin and into Canyonlands NP. This road goes straight to the Needles and joins Elephant Hill trail at its southern exit/entrance (also called Devils Lane, and is a moderate trail). It passes two Camping sites in this area. Camping here requires overnight permit so we would need to reserve it with the National Park in advance. These are not as competitive as the White rim campsites so we have a lot of options to choose from right now if we decide to). We join the Elephant hill trail here and can visit and hike the Joint trail, which is supposed to be amazing! From here will head north and have to navigate SOB hill and then take the second half of Elephant hill trail, skipping the one section that precedes the Devils Kitchen camp sites (the “squeeze”, which would give my truck some trouble). These campsites are supposed to be amazing and I’d love to reserve one of these if possible).
There is a spur that takes you to an overlook of the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers. Then the trail heads down to the one way fork and we will head up Elephant hill to the trailhead and exit Canyonlands at the main Needles outpost and park entrance (Road 211 a few miles north of where we turned in Beef basin road).
Total miles from start (211 and Cottonwood/Beef Basin rd) to end (Needles Outpost) without including exploring the Beef basin roads is 75 miles. It’s about 60 miles from Monticello to the trailhead and another 70 miles from Needles outpost to Moab although there should be gas available at Needles Outpost. With exploring I’m thinking 100 mile trail..... I probably won’t need extra gas (Truck holds 24 gallons) but I’ll bring 10 gallons just in case.
Here’s a few snapshots of my Gaia gps map showing this proposed trail - main trail in Brown and roads to potentially explore in Yellow.
Let me know if this tickles anyone’s fancy!! If it does, we would want to reserve the Canyonlands overnight permit and campsite as soon as we can. They look to be pretty available at this time......
Thoughts??"
Is this still the plan? I was trying to find all of these on the MVUM maps to make sure I understand the route. On the calendar entry, the route is listed as Bridger Jack Mesa Rd, but that seems to be much further north when I Google it. I assume Google is only showing me the northernmost section of this road and we still plan to start on 211 near Monticello?
I'll feel better heading out this remote once I know I have maps of the area and understand the route fully.