Southeastern Utah Noob Camping Trip: Beef Basin 06/10/11 - 06/12/11

Stephen

Who Dares Wins
Moderator
What: Three day, two night camping trip

Where: Beef Basin just south of Canyonlands

When: June 10th - 12th (Friday - Sunday). We will be leaving from Salt Lake City the morning of Friday, June 10th and returning in the evening of Sunday June 12th.

Who: Anyone who wants to go explore some amazing country with lots of indian ruins and spectacular vistas!

Vehicle Requirments: Any 4wd, high clearance vehicle. This basically means any SUV that is actually truck like or an actual truck.
A CB radio is highly recommended.

Trail: Most of where we will be going is pretty tame, rated a 2. Bobby's Hole, SOB Hill and Elephant Hill can easily be navigated with a stock SUV and a little skill and would probably garner a 3 1/2 rating.

Gear: Tent, sleeping bag and other sundries
Firewood
Food and some way to cook it
Water, water WATER!
Extra fuel
Trash bags (we take out what we bring in)
Camera

Schedule:

Friday: Plan on meeting at the Chevron parking lot off the Highland/Alpine exit by 10:00am. We will then caravan the rest of the way to the trail head with stops for fuel in Wellington and Moab. We hope to make it to camp the first night by 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Around the campfire we will discuss Tread Lightly practices and basic 4WD and camping questions.

Saturday: Try to get going in the morning by about 9:00am and explore around Beef Basin and Ruin Park. Some light hiking to various ruins. Pretty leisurely day focusing mostly on looking around while we make our way to the border of Canyonlands. Find camp at a reasonable time and enjoy a night under the stars and continue our discussions from the previous night.

Sunday: Again, try to get going in the morning by about 9:00am and start heading into Canyonlands via Bobby's Hole and work our way through a bit of the Needles District and finally out by way of Elephant Hill. From there it's back to Salt Lake with the obligatory stop at the Moab Brewery for some Beer Cheese Soup (still eating it even though I am now lactose intolerant. Its that good!).

Attendees:
Stephen
JL Rockies
MOODY (meeting us Saturday night))

Summary: If you've never been camping down in southeastern Utah, this is some spectacular country that you really should try to make it to. This run is easy enough that any novice with a stock vehicle should be fine. Basically, if you want to have a good time out in the backcountry, you should come along.
And just to whet you whistle a bit, pictures of the area!

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Kevin B.

Not often wrong. Never quite right.
Moderator
Location
Vehicular limbo
Looks like a blast! My front diff is in pieces on the garage floor, if I get it put back together in time I'd love to join up.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Unfortunately I won't be able to make this trip, but it's a PERFECT first time expo/light wheeling trip for someone wanting to get into it. Wish I could make it, that's one trail I've been wanting to do for a while.
 
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Stephen

Who Dares Wins
Moderator
I'm gonna put a pin in this
Soo... huh? You and your Floridian speak.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make this trip, but it's a PERFECT first time expo/light wheeling trip for someone wanting to get into it. Wish I could make it, that's one trail I've been wanting to do for a while.

That's too bad. I was hoping you'd be able to swing it. We'll light a marshmallow on fire for you! ;)
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
yeah, I burned all my vacation time last week working on my rig and heading to moab then. Let's keep these noob trips going. I'm thinking one a month min with at least one night of camping.
 

airmanwilliams

Well-Known Member
Location
Provo, Utah
I cant afford the drive down there and have to get a lift so my new tires can go on but I hope to see TONS of pictures from you guys. And hopefully one of these days I can get things together and come with you all so I can learn some more things.
 

MOODY

Bald Guy
Location
Sandy
The road going to that last ruin was a little tough-big sandy washout about 2 miles in. Also, the Elephant Hill road is the most beat up I have seen it in years... It will give your vehicle a nice workout.

I -really- wish I could go...if you stay until Tuesday I will come down Saturday night.
 

Stephen

Who Dares Wins
Moderator
I have never done this trail. Always been too far out of the way. Are trailered vehicles possible?

The trail isnt a loop and we exit a ways north if where we will be entering. And I'm not to sure of a place to leave your trailer where we are entering, but you might be able to leave it in Moab and drive your rug from there as long as it's street legal.

The road going to that last ruin was a little tough-big sandy washout about 2 miles in. Also, the Elephant Hill road is the most beat up I have seen it in years... It will give your vehicle a nice workout.

I -really- wish I could go...if you stay until Tuesday I will come down Saturday night.

When I was out there last there wasn't a washout that I remember, but thanks for the heads up. Yes, Elephant Hill has gotten a bit beat up in recent years, but it is still pretty easy to get through with proper tire placement and spotting. I'm excited to take the Pathy on it! Big change from the Sami.
I wish you could make it too Roger. But I've got to be back to work by Monday, so no go on sticking it out till Tuesday.
 

MOODY

Bald Guy
Location
Sandy
Yeah, you will make it okay both areas, but it is certainly more rough than in the past. Perhaps one of my most favorite areas of Utah.

Another time...
 
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