Maze - Pre-Pre-Run to CM 2012

[Glenn-BJ74]

Maze - Pre-Pre-Run to CM 2011

Drew and I did a quick 'recon' run through the Maze, which seems to be of interest, perhaps next year. Here are a few shots. We came in off SR24 across from the Goblin State Park Road, 2WD gravel to the Hans Flat Ranger Station. We camped outside of the park boundary, since we were only driving through (Glen Canyon National Rec Area) and had not prearranged a camping permit. We camped at the top of a bluff overlooking French Creek Fork of Happy Canyon. Cold and windy thta night.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

Saturday morning we left camp and drove past the ranger station (with Winston hiding in the back seat) and turned off the main trail and hit Panorama Point and Cleopatra's Chair, then backtracked and continued south.

 

[Tools R Us]

Drew and I did a quick 'recon' run through the Maze, which seems to be of interest, perhaps next year. ...

Sounds good, but a couple of questions:

Is that snow?

You went all of the way out there and only took 3 pix?

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

More shots along the way ...

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

At the bottom of the Hans Flat Trail there is a turn-off and switchbacks down to the Flint Trail, which proceeds a long way north to the Maze Overlook and other attractions we did not have time to explore ...

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

top of the swichbacks, turn-off to head north to the Maze and to Hwy 95 turn-off we had to take, which reaches pavement just north of Hite Marina. Coming from the South you could come in this way. The Maze is the most remote, least visted part of Canyonlands. The last picture is Lake Powell in the distance on our way out. After that we hauled ass down to Blanding to meet you folks.

 

[Tools R Us]

Did you guys track, care to share?

 

[-Spike-]

Looks intriguing.

 

[Tools R Us]

Looks intriguing.

Canyonlands is a way place, time spent there recharges the soul.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Warning, Outsider!

Thanks for the pics. The Maze is a special place. Been there 3 times. Last year we stayed at the Dollhouse and at the Maze overlook. One of our guys blew a brake line going up the flint trail and we had to tow him up so another rig could do his braking when making a 3 or 5 point turn on the uphill switchbacks. It was a bit nerve wracking but all worked out in the end.

We have come in from the south, and from the west coming up Poison Springs. THat is an awesome way to access the Maze, but it gets remote and lonely in the area before Sunset pass. Interesting trail washout there too. They may have fixed that by now. My favorite part is the climb out of the Dirty Devil river crossing (about 1 foot deep).

Biggest problem in the Maze is Fuel. You need a lot of it, especially in a thirsty Land Cruiser. Barely made it back to Green River the first year.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

Range - no problem with diesel I have 1,100 km, almost 700 miles.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Range - no problem with diesel I have 1,100 km, almost 700 miles.

Glen and his BJ74 is FULLY EQUIPPED

Did Drew pull the trailer through the Maze?

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

Yes - the conventional way in is via Hans Flats (Ranger Station) 2WD down to the top of the switchbacks. The start of actual Flint Trail is at the bottom of the switchbacks and heads northeast, which gets a little more interesting, but we turned south to Hite Marina. There are other ways in via Poison Spring Canyon Road (crosses the Dirty Devil River) which I would be game to try. As for tracks, Drew could shoot you one, but the trails we were on were all easy to follow. The attached map is a simple guide to the area. I would budget 3 days 2 nights in this area at a minimum. I have a heat exchanger shower you can use IF you haul in your own water. 2-3 gallons per shower. Something to ponder over the coming year ....


http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/upload/maze_web.pdf