Chris S
Moab 2019 & 2020
In the spring of 2019 I made my first trip to Moab, UT - one of the greatest places to offroad in the country. It is an amazing contrast to coastal farm and swamp land that I am from. We made this trip again in 2020, bringing more of our friends to enjoy the experience. This page has a mixture of photos and information from both trips.
Elephant Hill is is typically our first stop of the week. The drive from Moab back toward the Canyonlands National Park (Needles District) is beautiful.
Video from Elephant Hill:
Elephant Hill trail, also enjoyed by hikers, also has remote campsites. Trail permits are required and are very limited per day. Groups of vehicles are limited to three with a forty five minute gap between groups to help preserve the tranquility of the area, along with lessening the human impact in general. IF you cannot get permits in advance, get to the park early to secure one.
Parking area at the trail head.
The trail climbs steeply out of the parking lot with a tight switch back. This positions you atop ‘Elephant Hill’ where you will cross a sandy area and a few rocky areas, followed by a steep descent with more switchbacks. This is the most challenging section of trail.
Once you have made the initial climb, crossed Elephant Hill, and descended, the trail crosses back and forth across a ‘wash’ in a canyon like area with rocky obstacles here and there. Eventually, you drop into ‘Devils Lane’ a grassy area with a sandy road and a rock wall on either side.
The sights along UT-211 leading into/out of Canyonlands are wonderful. Just a couple here:
Looking toward the Abajo Mountains, located just west of Monticello, UT.
Looking further into, and beyond, the Needles District.
Hells Revenge & Fins & Things are some of my favorites and are located inside the Sand Flats Recreation Area just on the north side of Moab.
You can see my video here of FnT and Hells Revenge:
A long slickrock climb on Hells Revenge.
Overlooking the Colorado River and UT-128 from near Hells Gate.
