Beef Basin to Elephant Hill - Moab, Utah area trip week of Sep 21

[RockyMtRebel]

Since I have a permit and Ty also has a permit I figured it’s time to post the planned thread. As we discussed in the other thread, we are planning to meet the morning of September 21st in Monticello, Utah ( we could change this to south Moab or something if everyone prefers). Either way we will gas up (we should all bring at least a 5 gallon fuel tank just in case, I’m happy to carry anyone’s fuel) and then head to the start at Beef basin / Bridger Jack Road. From here we will head west on the northern slopes of mountains and after 25 miles we’ll turn right/north and head down into the House Park area and continue further into Beef Basin. The road splits and a network of roads circles around the basin. The furthest west spurs end at Gypsum canyon overlook, which should be cool. We will set up camp somewhere in this area depending on time and what we find for campsites.
Tuesday morning we can continue exploring ruins and the roads that continue further north to an area I’m really curious about called Imperial Valley. There appears to be roads that lead to a few other overlooks and another map shows perhaps obstacles or challenging terrain we can check out. As well as the “Impossible Hill”, which I would definitely like to check out if possible. It’s definitely possible but you never know. This road continues north to the Canyonlands park gate. The usual way up to Canyonlands is down another less difficult hill called Bobby’s hole. Either way we go we will make our way up to Canyonlands and continue north thru Devils lane to the trailhead for The Joint hiking trail. I would like to hike around here for a couple hours if possible, it sounds amazing!

From there we will continue north over SOB hill and depending on time we will either continue and do the one way thru Elephant canyon and to the one-way fork and up thru the “squeeze” to Devils Kitchen campsite for the night. If we don’t have as much time we will go right to Devils Kitchen campsite after SOB hill. Wednesday morning we will head around and go up to the Confluence and then down thru Elephant canyon and then up and over Elephant hill and exiting the park at the Needles Outpost and hopefully the lady will let us get gas there

Most will probably head to Moab from there. I am thinking I may continue north from there up Lockhart basin for 20-30 miles and camp up at some cool spot Wednesday night. Planning to continue north Thursday and exit onto Chicken corners (doing it backwards from the normal Lockhart basin route). I’ll have rock sliders and maybe other armor by then.... so hopefully should get thru the hard parts without too much hassle. If anyone else wants to join me to make this more of a 3-5 night camping trip, I’ll be happy to have company! Maybe run up to Green River and San Rafael swell area on Thursday and Friday nights or something..... man I cannot wait!!!!!!!

[coleman07]

Question for you since I want to eventually do Elephant Hill. I was under the impression permits for Elephant hill would only be available 24 hrs prior to the day of your intended trip. Your write up, nicely done, implies you have a permit which is fantastic. Have they changed the timing for getting a permit for Elephant Hill?

[RockyMtRebel]

Day use permits are what you are referring to. Overnight camping permits you can reserve far in advance and that’s what we got because we are camping there. If you have or are part of a group with an overnight permit you do not need a day use permit. We all will still need to get a Canyonlands NP visitor pass also but those can be purchased anytime and are good for 6 days

[coleman07]

Thanks so much for the info. Due to my disability, I can no longer camp. Have a blast on this trip!!!

[open_circuit]

I am possibly looking to wheel Thursday and maybe Friday in Moab after the run. I would be looking to run Seven mile or hells revenge rather than Lockhart Basin.

[RockyMtRebel]

Ok maybe I’ll run Sevenmile with ya because it’s supposed to be pretty awesome. Man, so many possibilities and time to figure out what to do

[jayson44]

Sevenmile is great fun! I'm excited about this trip.

J.

[TyTheJeepGuy]

Dang I'm going to be convinced to take off the whole week. By the way I have the permits for camping the 22nd at Devils Kitchen. Each camper needs to sign, I'll have both (or three if we pick up someone else up for the trip) printed and you can just sign when we rendezvous.

[open_circuit]

Is everyone aware of the restrictions on pets in areas we'll be camping in? Can't bring pets, even if they stay in your vehicle (https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needlesroads.htm).

[TyTheJeepGuy]

I'm putting the dog in boarding for my own sanity (and cargo space) anyway. This trip is for me

[RockyMtRebel]

I will send out the email and permit I received to you guys shortly.... it will include a couple videos to watch and goes over all the rules and regulations (no pets allowed, quiet hours, etc, etc).

[TyTheJeepGuy]

I took off the whole week so I will be down for camping and wheelin in the days after this run as well, unless I can't get boarding for that long for the dog.

[RockyMtRebel]

Sweet, this is going to be a blast!

Ok, so we have Mon, Tues & Wed planned..... who’s up for figuring out the rest of the week??

Sevenmile Rim is one I haven’t done and would like to. What other trails are on you guys list that we can maybe check off that week?

[open_circuit]

I haven't run Hell's Revenge yet. Have run Fins a few times. Porcupine Rim?

[RockyMtRebel]

open_circuit previously posted:

[FINOCJ]

If you haven't run poison spyder I would say that is a must do. Can get busy though, so go early.

[RockyMtRebel]

Yea I want to run Poison Spyder but the popularity factor puts it down the list. I’d rather wheel and see no one than wheel and see others throughout the day.

[open_circuit]

RockyMtRebel previously posted:

[RockyMtRebel]

Don’t get me wrong, I’m never disappointed wheelin’
...but I’ve wheeled trails in Moab and seen very few people - when I did the Dome Plateau in June I saw no one the entire day until I got to the end. It’s probably my favorite trail that I’ve run in the area too. It’s just a little too far and long for most. When we did Top of the World we only saw a few others also but we went right to Hells afterwards and it was packed with groups of tourist atv/utv’s and many other groups of rigs of all types. We didn’t even get to visit the overlook because it was packed with side-by-sides and other groups waiting to get there too.
I think the trails closest to Moab (Sand flats, Poison Spyder, Moab rim, Steel bender, etc) you see shitloads of people. Trails that are 45+ minutes from Moab are not nearly as busy! Porcupine rim, although in the Sand Flats area, is the furthest trail from Moab so I bet it won’t be that busy at all. Everyone goes there to run Hells & Fins. Obviously the most popular and conveniently located trails will be the busiest trails also.

[RockyMtRebel]

Just so y’all are aware, the Beef Basin area has the same restrictions as Canyonlands regarding human waste. Unlike Canyonlands, however, I do not believe there are any vault toilets anywhere there is dispersed camping. In other words we need to carry our poop out! I bought a package of disposable toilet bags, I skipped getting the actual toilet (I think I’d break it). Read up on this and bring appropriate disposal gear!! I’m not carrying anyone’s crap... lol