Lockhart basin trail run

[GoOutSideAndPlay]

Hey all,
Just doing some background research on a trail I've not done out in Moab. It's called Lockhart basin. Its about a 40 mile trail SW of the city. I want to do an overnighter and make it a two day trail. Anyone done it?
Chris

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Done it 3 times, it's great. Do it South to North and take extra gas and water. Watch out for the narrow canyon at the north end. One day is plenty. If I were you I would Drive into the Needles district of Canyonlands, start down the dirt road that leads to Lockhart. About 2 miles down is a great place to camp by the river-camp there. Then start the trail the following morning and finish in Moab by mid afternoon.

If you want to camp out on the trail, take the side trail about half way that leads down to the Colorado River. There is a nice spot in near the river.

You won't see others, so let someone know when they should expect to hear from you.

North to south is harder due to the canyon you must ascend near the north end of the trail.

The trail is described in the Charles A. Wells book about Moab.

 

[alvarorb]

Chris,

Here are some pics:

Norcal Wagons website

From our 2005 run

Regards

Alvaro

 

[Little Boss]

Lockhart Basin Trail

Here's one of Alvaro decending down the last part of Lockhart traveling South to North. Alvaro took a different line than the rest of the group. With Alvaro's great spotting the entire group made it with no problems. I drove the whole trail until here and wasn't confident enough to engage with this obstacle.

Teresa

 

[DSRTRDR]

you went ALL THE WAY BACK ?









I hate steep downhills, too (but off-camber even more ;p)

 

[GoOutSideAndPlay]

Fantastic! I've got his book on the way right now. I've actually done hidden canyon, elephant hill, and Gemini bridges from his book on a different trip but the book got stollen when my parents pop up got ripped off.

We're planning on doing it south to north. From what i can tell it looks like it will be about a 40 mile trip plus any side route we want to inject into it. I can get about 300 miles on a highway tank and I’m expecting, um say a third to half that kind of MPG on this off road trip. Fill up in Monticello. How much extra gas should i take? I'm thinking one can (5g) should be an sufficient safety factor.

Does anyone have a list of gps coordinates for the trip. As i'm in the process of putting together a good topo map of the area for the trip.

This truck (96lx450) is somewhat new for me (hence the over prep paranoia for a little 3+ trail). I bought it a little less than a year ago and I've done some off roading in it but nothing to serious (2 to 3 rated trails). I noticed this trail has a rating of 3+ only because of one obstacle on the trail. I assume its the one you are talking about on the north end (the steep decent going south to north). I'm fully locked on 33s (BFGATKO) with a 2.5 OME med lift. I've got lots of experience in the Moab area, just not in this truck. I'm really confident that this truck will do great but I dont like surprises at the end of a 40 mile trip that will make me turn around. Anyone have really good pics and a longwinded story to tell about nasty spots on the trail?

As always, thanks in advance and keep the rubber on rock and smiles in the mirrors.
Chris

 

[alvarorb]

Chris,

Gas should not be an issue. But if you want to feel more confident, you can top off at Canyonlands. At the outpost they have gas. It's not cheap, but it's there.

About your rig. The trail is pretty easy, I'd say class II most of the way. Before the very end, there are a couple of optional obstacles that are doable. I say optional, because they have a bypass.

The last half mile or so it's a bit tricky. If you have a spotter with you, you should not have a problem. Just take it slow and think before you commit.

My question to you would be, how prepared is your rig? Do you have Lockers? Lift? Tires? Armor?

I don't recall touching my sliders on this last trip. But there's an obstacle that can be a bit off camber.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[Little Boss]

you went ALL THE WAY BACK ?



I hate steep downhills, too (but off-camber even more ;p)

No way, I let Sam drive.

Teresa

 

[DSRTRDR]

No way, I let Sam drive.

Teresa

yeah, I have been seen handing over keys as well in fact one of the Pics of my truck in the Moab picture thread was actually taken by me ;p while my husband drove it down that steep hill on Hell's Revenge - I chickened out the second time on that section just can't seem to get myself mentally past the first drop

oh well, more to learn in the future

 

[Cruiserdrew]

That hard spot going down is pretty off-camber and feels really bad going down. It doesn't help that it is tipping you out towards a nasty fall. Be careful with driver's side front wheel placement as the edge is unstable and not well supported.

Going up feels better, but isn't exactly easy. Then at the top fo that canyon is a ledge rock that is easy going down but caused us some headaches going up. Locked both ends with a bit of momentum will get you up if you choose to go north to south.

If you are travelling from the south, there are a couple of uphill ledges that also offer a challenge. Not super difficult, but will cause a moment of concern if you are by yourself.

The scenery on this trail is nearly unmatched, only the White Rim comes close.

 

[GoOutSideAndPlay]

So anyone have the GPS coordinates along this trail?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

So anyone have the GPS coordinates along this trail?

Send a PM to David--"Yep". I think he has the full track on Delorme Topo. Alvaro may also have it, but I'm not sure he saved it. Route finding is easy-don't sweat that, plus Charles Wells in his book gives the basics. Let us know how it goes.

 

[GoOutSideAndPlay]

Thanks to all!

Just got back from Moab. Lockhart was a huge success. Great trip and absolutly BEAUTIFUL trail! Some of the best view I've seen in Moab. We ended up doing poison spider mesa too. That trail is a workout! I'm trying to find a good website to host pictures, then i'll link them to here.

 

[GoOutSideAndPlay]