Overview: The Paunsaugunt Area is located just north of Kanab, UT, and the route system in this area provide unique access to landscapes that are similar to those found in Trail Canyon and Zion National Park. Trail conditions range from sandy and smooth to rocky routes that will challenge any machine. BLM Route 107 FNA is a side spur that leads you to an amphitheater of sandstone formations that are as scenic as anything you will find in the Greater Zion area. With the BLM gearing up to close side spurs and lesser-traveled routes, this route is a good example of how taking that unexpected detour yields large dividends.
Getting There: This route is easily accessible from the Peekaboo Canyon staging area. You will eventually leave the Peekaboo canyon loop at GPS coordinates 37.17774, -112.54678. You will continue North on this route until you reach GPS coordinates 37.21386, -112.56115. Route 107FNA then leads to the West towards the giant sandstone formations. The route includes a good climb on a narrow, sandy trail. The juniper and brush around the trail is thick, and if you’re in a vehicle larger than a UTV you will leave with Rocky Mountain pinstripes. The route ends at a knoll where you can view the sandstone formations and explore their slot canyons on foot if you have the time.
Route Conditions: There is an Instagram account of a recovery service that documents photos of tourists who take rental cars and less-than-capable vehicles into areas like this. Don’t be that person. A UTV is problem the best type of vehicle for exploring these trails, but a well-equipped Jeep or Toyota will handle the main trails. A full-size truck or SUV will likely have difficulty navigating 107FNA. Be aware that the Peekaboo Canyon Loop receives heavy traffic of all kinds, and will even include those hiking to explore the Peekaboo Slot Canyon. Be respectful of all users of the trail, and be sure to have a tall flag installed on your machine to prevent collisions on blind corners and hills.
The climb to the towers
View from the descent
This route report is part of a larger guidebook BRC is completing to educate users about high-value motorized trails that are at risk of closure if we don’t use them. This guidebook will be called the Lost Trails Guidebook, and has been funded by a generous grant from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative with Jorgensen Powersports as a sponsoring dealer.
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Getting There: This route is easily accessible from the Peekaboo Canyon staging area. You will eventually leave the Peekaboo canyon loop at GPS coordinates 37.17774, -112.54678. You will continue North on this route until you reach GPS coordinates 37.21386, -112.56115. Route 107FNA then leads to the West towards the giant sandstone formations. The route includes a good climb on a narrow, sandy trail. The juniper and brush around the trail is thick, and if you’re in a vehicle larger than a UTV you will leave with Rocky Mountain pinstripes. The route ends at a knoll where you can view the sandstone formations and explore their slot canyons on foot if you have the time.
Route Conditions: There is an Instagram account of a recovery service that documents photos of tourists who take rental cars and less-than-capable vehicles into areas like this. Don’t be that person. A UTV is problem the best type of vehicle for exploring these trails, but a well-equipped Jeep or Toyota will handle the main trails. A full-size truck or SUV will likely have difficulty navigating 107FNA. Be aware that the Peekaboo Canyon Loop receives heavy traffic of all kinds, and will even include those hiking to explore the Peekaboo Slot Canyon. Be respectful of all users of the trail, and be sure to have a tall flag installed on your machine to prevent collisions on blind corners and hills.
The climb to the towers
View from the descent
This route report is part of a larger guidebook BRC is completing to educate users about high-value motorized trails that are at risk of closure if we don’t use them. This guidebook will be called the Lost Trails Guidebook, and has been funded by a generous grant from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative with Jorgensen Powersports as a sponsoring dealer.
Continue reading...
