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"Rules of the Routes"

Whatever your form of motorized recreation - full sized four wheel drive vehicle, dirt bike or ATV - make it your goal to always stay on the route. In much of the Moab Field Office, motorized travel is limited to existing or designated routes. Remember, hundreds of thousands of people come to see the scenery and enjoy the back country by vehicle. They do not come to see YOUR tracks. Keep your vehicle on the route - if the route is too difficult for you, please turn around and find another one, rather than trying to go around obstacles. The Moab Field Office has routes to suit every type of vehicle and every skill level of driver.

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ATV's and Dirt Bikes

All Terrain Vehicles and dirt bikes are welcome on any of the four-wheel drive routes in Grand and San Juan counties. (Non-licensed vehicles, which include all ATV's and some dirt bikes, may not travel on paved roads.) While there are no trails specifically designed for ATV's or dirt bikes, many of the old jeep routes make very challenging and enjoyable outing.

ATV's and dirt bikes are governed by laws and rules promulgated by the State of Utah. Among these rules are:

• Children under the age of 8 are NOT allowed to operate off-highway vehicles
• Children from the ages of 8 - 16 must possess an OHV education certificate
• All drivers and passengers under 18 years of age must wear a helmet
• OHV's must display a current OHV registration sticker
• All OHV's must have a spark arrester

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Trail Marking

The primitive nature of 4 wheel drive trails makes them hard to mark and keep marked. There are many un-mapped junctions, which can be confusing. Storms can alter roads and remove tracks, and vandal's can spoil the markings. Even if you think the route may be marked, it is wise to carry a map or guidebook, which describes the route you are trying to follow.

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Route Difficulty

Rating the difficulty of four-wheel drive routes is almost impossible. Not only do vehicles vary in their capability, but the experience of the driver is also a factor. The easiest of the trails described below (Shafer/Long Canyon Loop) is barely out of the two-wheel-drive class. The most difficult (Poison Spider) requires first-rate off-road equipment. The other routes are well within the capabilities of stock four-wheel-drive vehicles.

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Precautions

As with many activities, 4 wheel driving, ATV'ing and dirt biking fills its enthusiasts with the notion that more risk equals more fun. Be aware that difficult 4 wheel drive trails entail some risk of damage for the vehicle and occupants. Novices are advised to develop experience on easier trails first and to seek advice for reducing risks on difficult terrain. Getting lost or having a vehicle stuck or disabled is a special risk in this desert country. Although the routes described here are not very remote compared to some, the safest procedure is to travel with more than one vehicle. Next best is to be sure someone knows where you are going and when your return can be considered overdue. It is essential to have a good supply of water, and one should never attempt to walk for help in the hot months without carrying plenty of water. Other sensible equipment is also important, including sun protection, adequate clothing for cool nights, first-aid supplies, insect repellent, a spare tire, and mechanical equipment to keep the vehicle mobile.

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Courtesy

All of the routes described here are on public lands--some state parcels--but mostly on federally owned land administered by the BLM under a policy of promoting multiple uses. While we enjoy use of the roads built mostly by mining interests, we often find that we are sharing with ranchers who lease the land for grazing. That is why you'll find fences throughout the area. A prime courtesy for our fellow users, therefore, is to leave each gate open or closed, as we find it. Other users of the roads--miners, ranchers, riders of pedaled or powered cycles, and hiker's--should find the routes as clean as you would like to see them. Unfortunately, the courteous people always clean up after the discourteous, so please carry out more than you carried in. The occasional muddy conditions found in this area should not be considered part of the four-wheeling challenge. These roads can be severely damaged by use when they are muddy, while it takes only a little patience-usually about one dry day--to avoid the problem. If you are not convinced by courtesy considerations, be advised that a heavy shower can make many of these roads impassable, and even dangerous. You may see vehicle tracks off the trails made by irresponsible travelers. These off road tracks are the worse form of garbage and destruction. Our desert plants have learned to grow in pace with the little moisture they receive, and they are slow to recover from a tire track. No one has yet claimed to travel all of the established routes in the area, so there should be no need to go off of them. Staying on the route is not only a matter of courtesy and consideration, it is the law. Off road travel is a citeable offense, and citations will be issued. Please remind your fellow drivers and riders to preserve the scenery you all came here to see by staying on the route.

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Route Descriptions

The following five routes have been chosen to indicate the variety and scope of the many four-wheel drive routes in the Moab area. Whether you choose one of these, or some of the many other available routes, please remember to STAY ON THE ROUTE, preserving the scenery for those who will follow you. Chicken Corners, Gemini Bridges, Poison Spider and Fins and Things are suitable for four wheel drive vehicles, dirt bikes and ATV's. Only licensed vehicles may drive the Shafer/Long Canyon Loop.

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Chicken Corners

Summary: The route travels the Colorado River Canyon just below Moab, follows a spectacular part of Kane Springs Canyon, climbs the Kane Creek anticline to Hurrah Pass, and descends to benches above the Colorado River. The route dead-ends about 400 feet above the river across from Dead Horse Point State Park. Route Directions: From Main Street at Center Street in Moab, travel south on Main 0.6 mile, turn right on "Kane Creek Blvd.," follow it through two sweeping curves past its junction with "500 W. St.," and continue into the river canyon. When the pavement ends near Kane Creek (non-licensed vehicles must start here), continue on the good gravel road as it enters Kane Springs Canyon and follows the canyon, meandering at various levels above the creek. Continue with the good road as it crosses Hunters Creek. Farther along, the canyon broadens, and you can see Hurrah Pass on the right. The gravel road changes to dirt at the ford of Kane Creek. (Do not attempt to ford in high water; the water can be window-deep following storms or heavy spring melts.) Beyond the ford, stay with the best-looking road as other routes leave to the left in the next half-mile, and the road will bend toward the north and begin to ascend the cliffs below Anticline Overlook. The summit of this climb is Hurrah Pass. As the route winds down the other side of the anticline, it shows more four-wheel-drive character. The route leaves the cliffs on a gentler slope and drops into a wash bottom. Continue straight (out of the wash) where a spur trail leaves to the right and follows the rough wash bottom. Shortly after that, the route goes up the rocky slope to the right. It then swings close to the river on a bench above it. The route continues along the river benches, which are capped with fossil-bearing limestone, until it crosses a major wash. The route you see starting up this wash is the Lockhart Basin route. You follow the main trail straight across the wash and wind along the benches, as they grow higher above the water. The point where the trail is pinched between rocks on the left and the abyss on the right is "Chicken Corners" where Moab area guides were reputed to allow "chicken" passengers to walk, rather than ride, past the narrow, sloping section of route. This is the end of the spectacular Chicken Corners route. Retrace your tracks to return to Moab.

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Gemini Bridges

Summary: The route covers a region between Highways 191 and 313, reaches some grand vistas, and accesses numerous other routes. The highlight is the spectacular twin arch, called Gemini Bridges, on the rim of an arm of Bull Canyon. Route Directions: From the center of Moab, travel north on Highway 191 for 9.8 miles. Turn left to cross a cattle guard near an old ore car by the railroad tracks, cross the tracks, and turn left to follow the southerly dirt road paralleling the tracks. (Non-licensed vehicles must start here.) The main route soon veers right toward the cliffs, and steadily climbs the cliff slope to Little Canyon, the gap in the cliff rim. Stay with the best-maintained route through upper Little Canyon. Turn right from the wash bottom area to climb the steep dug way. The route passes a gate and winds to higher levels, giving vistas in all directions. Stay with the main route as spurs leave to the left, and fork right at the intersection with Bull Canyon. As the trail winds still higher, ignore two spur trails to the left and watch for the "Y" junction that indicates that you are near Gemini Bridges. The Bridges themselves are 0.2 miles from the main route. This spur is a dead end and is in very poor condition. There are several large rock ledges in the roadbed. To avoid vehicle damage, you may wish to walk from the intersection. As you approach the canyon, you will see the deep hole that opens into the canyon wall, revealing the twin spans. Return up the spur route to the "Y" junction, and rejoin the main route. To return to Highway 191, turn right and retrace your steps. By turning left, you can drive five miles and join Utah Highway 313, where a right turn returns you to Highway 191, and a left heads for Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands National Park).

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Poison Spider Mesa

Summary: The route visits the mesa top just north of the Colorado River and west of Moab Valley, and it reaches overlooks of the river and valley. The expanses of unbroken slickrock and views of the Behind the Rocks area and the La Sal Mountains make it one of the most scenic routes in the area. Route Directions: From the center of Moab, travel north on Highway 191 for 5.9 miles and turn left on Highway 279. Continue 6 miles from this junction until you reach the "Dinosaur Tracks" sign, where the route leaves the pavement. (Non-licensed vehicles must start here.) Although there are spur routes, the strongest route climbs switchbacks, and each higher level reveals more of the fins and mountains. After the last leg of the switchbacks, mounds of spectacularly cross-bedded Navajo Sandstone appear on the right, and the route skirts these mounds until it enters a sandy canyon. Watch carefully for the route as you climb out of the canyon--it turns on the first ledge, entering a slot to climb higher. These rocky climbs are the most difficult part of the route. The route crosses areas of rock and approaches another slot. A slickrock bypass is marked to the left to avoid the side hill in the slot. After an area of sand, a final short, steep climb puts you on a flat area of Navajo Sandstone distinguished by a scattering of rounded, black rocks. The rest of the route is mostly on top of the Navajo Sandstone, but it continues to climb with the rock strata as they tip up toward the east. The route parallels the river on this flat mesa area for about a mile and is usually the obvious choice over the few spurs that branch right and left. After a smooth dirt section, the route drops onto another slickrock area where a short spur toward the river gives beautiful overlooks. The route then splits to begin a loop. The recommended counterclockwise direction around the loop requires a turn to the right to reach a large mass of slickrock. Past a large pothole, a startlingly steep descent leads to a short dirt section and a side hill climb onto a slick rock parking area. A short walk to the right takes you to a good-sized pothole-type arch called "Little Arch," presumably for its apparent size from the river below. The marked route traverses another large section of slickrock and eventually drops into a sandy wash bottom. The route soon leaves the left side of the wash on a slickrock slope and follows a sandy route to another slickrock mass. After returning to the junction at the base of the sandy hill, continue the loop up the hill where it alternates between loose sand and sandstone. When you reach the largest sand hill, you will see why the recommended loop direction was chosen to go down the sand. The route continues on sand and sandstone to close the large loop and retraces the earlier trail back to the highway. NOTE: Poison Spider Mesa has been subject to much illegal off-road tracking. To preserve the beauty of the area, ALL VEHICLES - jeeps, ATV's, dirt bikes and mountain bikes MUST stay on the existing, marked route.

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Fins and Things

Summary: The Fins and Things Route is located in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, and a fee is required to access the route. Fins and Things provide spectacular views of the La Sal Mountains across the sandstone domes of Sand Flats. Although it is only 10 miles long, drivers should allow three to four hours to complete the steep climbs and even steeper descents. Description: From the middle of Moab, go four blocks east to 400 East Street. Go south to Millcreek Drive and turn left. Go straight at the stop sign near the cemetery and follow Sand Flats Road 1.7 miles to the entrance booth of the Sand Flats Recreation Area. Stay on the Sand Flats Road for 2 more miles, and turn right into Campsite Cluster E. The trail starts to the right of campsite #5. The Fins and Things Route is marked with painted dinosaur (stegosaur) symbols. Drivers and riders should follow the marked route, which traverses the slickrock domes south of the Sand Flats Road before crossing this road to follow fins and domes on the north side of the Sand Flats Road. Fins and Things are almost entirely on slickrock or very sandy dirt. Some of the climbs are aggravated by a loose sand approach, and there is some deep, loose sand. Please remember to stay on the marked route, as vehicles are allowed only on designated routes within the Sand Flats Recreation Area. Remember, indiscriminate vehicle tracks represent the theft of beauty, which you came here to see.

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Shafer/Long Canyon Loop

Summary: This is the easiest of the routes described, but is included because of its outstanding scenery. The 37 mile long loop includes nine miles of pavement. You will be entering Canyonlands National Park, and may be required to pay the entrance fee. Only street-legal vehicles may do this loop. Route Description: From Moab, go north on U.S. Highway 191 to its junction with Utah Highway 279. Turn left on Highway 279 and go all the way to its end at the potash plant. The route turns to dirt road, and starts climbing up terraces along the Colorado River. The road passes the evaporation ponds of the potash plant, and then reenters public land, in an area known as Shafer Basin. The road is now directly under Dead Horse Point State Park, and above the Colorado River. This road has been used in countless commercials and movies, as it provides a beautiful backdrop. The road enters Canyonlands National Park not far from the White Rim Road. The Shafer/Long Canyon Loop ascends the Shafer Road in a series of long, stunning switchbacks. These switchbacks provide scenic views of the Colorado River basin and the La Sal Mountains. The road ascends to the mesa top, joining the paved road in Canyonlands National Park. Turn right (north), and travel approximately 5 miles to the intersection with Highway 313. Turn right on Highway 313 toward Dead Horse Point State Park. Go about two miles to a left hand turn onto an improved dirt road. This is the Long Canyon Road. Follow the Long Canyon road across the mesa top to a spectacular view of the red rock fins surrounding Moab. The Long Canyon road then descends steeply into Long Canyon. You will have spectacular views down the entire canyon, but remember to keep your eyes on the road, as it is steep and somewhat rubbly. The Long Canyon Road rejoins Utah Highway 279. Turn left on this to return to Moab. NOTE: Both Shafer Basin and Long Canyon are desert bighorn sheep country. If you see one of these creatures, observe it quietly from your vehicle. Do not stress the animals by approaching them, and never harass them. Both Shafer Basin and Long Canyon are closed to camping to protect their habitat.