Looking for info on Lockhart Basin and Beef Basin

[Hayes]

I'm looking to combine the Lockhart Basin trail with Beef Basin/Elephant Hill for a multi-day expedition of sorts.

I've absorbed all the info from the "Backcountry Adventures: Utah", and "Moab, UT Backroads $ 4-Wheel Drive Trails" books. I've poured over maps and spent hours cruising Google Earth .

At this point I'd like to find some first-hand reports on travel times between various points. Hurrah Pass to CNP? Elephant Hill to Beef Basin? Beef Basin to Monticello via various routes?

Also, recommendations on overall direction. North to South? South to North? I had planned on North to South.

Anyone had experience with the obstacle at the north end of the Lockhart Basin trail?

Last but not least, has anyone been over the Abajos? What time of year? Etc.



Thanks for any wisdom.

Hayes

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Hayes-We did this exact trip last year, starting at Natural Bridges. We connected Natural Bridges, Dark Canyon, Beef Basin, Impossible Hill, and Elephant Hill. Then, we travelled Lockhart to Moab. The climb from Natural Bridges to the Bears Ears is extremely dangerous if wet, and an easy dirt road if dry. If it's been raining stay away.

You definitely want to go south to North for 1 reason only. As you are finishing Lockhart Basin and headed down Lockhart Canyon, there are a couple of really tough spots if headed up hill. Down Hill (South to North) it's pretty easy just tippy. I made it up (barely) but had to tug my well equipt travel buddy up. It's super loose with a nasty side drop. If Lockhart Canyon is impassable (which it can be), you have to go 80 miles back to the Elephant Hill area, so plan your fuel accordingly.

I assume you know this is very remote country, and you will need lots of gasoline. I would not do it alone, as you may be the only person in the whole expanse. I would estimate you're looking at 4 travel days. Ruin Canyon and Beef Basin are worth a day of no travel and just exploration. One of the coolest places I've ever been was a side canyon of Beef Basin, and spectacular Anasazi ruins.

Snook made a video of our trip:http://www.snookoffroad.com/video_Pre-Moab_2006.htm

Obviously it means more if you were there, but it's great stuff anyway.

 

[Hayes]

Thanks for the input.

It looks like we'll have 4 nights total for the trip.

South to north sounds fine--possibly more dramatic(?). I'm considering other options at the south end--namely what route to Beef Basin? If snow at the highest elevations is an issue, we'll have to forget driving over the Abajos. Does anyone have any recommendations for fun routes to Beef Basin?

Full understanding of the remoteness of the route is factored into the plan from the start. My 4 and 1.5 year old boys are part of the team, so we won't skimp on preparedness and safety.
We'll be traveling in my arse-locked 80 and a Jeep Rubicon, so we'll be quite capable. Some challenges would be fun, but we don't want any trip-killers or anything genuinely dangerous.

Guesstimated travel times between various points is also appreciated.

Hayes

 

[Moody]

Ry-
Go down to Kirkham's and chat with Jack Kirkham. they guy is the lower canyonlands guru...spends 2 weeks there every spring in his stock 80 loaded up with mucho sh!t, dragging his way through EVERYTHING. He will tell you lots of good info.