Hole in the Rock trail - the hard multi-day out & back route

[RockyMtRebel]

Not to be confused with Hole in the Rock road, which runs east from Escalante to Lake Powell. That road is easy (extremely wash board) and I ran it solo last winter. Hole in the Rock trail is on the exact opposite side of Lake Powell and is very remote and a difficult 35 miles to end near Lake Powell. I want to do this trail, not sure when but it’s bucket list worthy and I’ve been eying it up for a while.

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/670-hole-in-the-rock-trail

Perhaps this winter or in the spring 2022


https://youtu.be/iS597ZU7gp0

[speedkills]

If the timing is right I'd be up for this.

[Java]

Looks like fun, if I can I'm in. :thumb:

[Jim]

Is there a map that's not behind a paywall?

[RockyMtRebel]

Is there a map that's not behind a paywall?

I texted the gxp file to you this morning, Jim

[RockyMtRebel]

Basically this is 70 miles round trip, and there are lots of videos on YouTube. It sounds like most people spend 2 nights camping while doing this trail. It’s about 8 hour trip from Palm Springs, CA and about 10 hours from Boulder, CO so kind of a mid-point. (I’ll be living in Palm Springs this winter). That adds another two night of camping, making this a 4 night camping trip.
November could be good but doubt I’ll be able to go this November — but maybe. March, April and May look to be great weather so spring is probably best time for this. Whoever might be interested in planning this, let me know thoughts on timeframe and let’s plan something!! During the week would be ideal but I’m up for anything and have the flexibility to go anytime given planning ahead!!

[FINOCJ]

I am interested....if it matters, March and April would be out as I am working/living in Montana for the winter, which leaves more like May for next Spring. This November could be a possibility, but have to check the exact dates - say mid-November would probably work.

[RockyMtRebel]

I am interested....if it matters, March and April would be out as I am working/living in Montana for the winter, which leaves more like May for next Spring. This November could be a possibility, but have to check the exact dates - say mid-November would probably work.

Where in Montana are you working/living? My wife and I went to University of Montana and had our first child in Missoula. LOVE Montana!!!

I’m leaning towards early to mid-May because holidays and stuff. However, if everyone likes mid-November best I could try to make that happen. This trail just looks really fun and remote, my two favorite things 🤣

[Tom]

Former Montana resident as well. Belgrade near Bozeman for about 5 years.

[FINOCJ]

Where in Montana are you working/living? My wife and I went to University of Montana and had our first child in Missoula. LOVE Montana!!!

I’m leaning towards early to mid-May because holidays and stuff. However, if everyone likes mid-November best I could try to make that happen. This trail just looks really fun and remote, my two favorite things 藍

I've worked many winters in Big Sky (something like 24 years) and we have a small place their now - but no garage. I lived for a number of years in West Yellowstone with friends and made the daily commute (about the same as coming from Bozeman, but without the traffic). My friends still have their house there with a big garage, so sometimes I can work on winter jeep projects there (like the sm465 last winter), but its never convenient trying to work in someone else's garage. Besides, once prime winter ski season hits, I work 6-7 days a week, so time off is minimal.

[Jim]

I'd be flexible Nov or May.

I recall the turn off for the highway on the Hanksville to Moki Dugway trek.

I'd be curious to do the ferry trip as well (if running).

[RockyMtRebel]

Here’s a great video trip report.


https://youtu.be/xAcdKFhmHPw

[Jim]

Any permits needed?

[RockyMtRebel]

Yes, $30, 7 day pass for Glen Canyon NRA

[open_circuit]

The week of Thanksgiving is often an ideal week for me to wheel out that way.

[Jim]

Yes, $30, 7 day pass for Glen Canyon NRA

Thx. No need to schedule / obtain permits in advance like you did for Maze District campsites?

Dispersed / free-for-all camping the rule for this trip?

[RockyMtRebel]

No advance booking like Canyonlands. Dispersed camping the whole time!

[Java]

I have Nov. 17-21 blocked off from work without any plans so far, aside from that I can probably work out anything except Thanksgiving week. Here's the permits https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/fees.htm

[Java]

Spent some time down the rabbit hole on this trail, it looks awesome. :thumb:

A little "brotastic" but some good footage of the major obstacles. I disagree with their food choices.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXO7CrZiLZw

I love the ferry! I grew up in NYC and lived on SI for a while, we'd take our cars to the St.George ferry terminal and put them on the boat to Manhattan. It was a sweet ride past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, but everytime we'd say it was the last time we're ever bringing a car to Manhattan...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpOrEHB_UUE

These guys struggle with parts the wranglers walk through, but kudos to them for doing it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHK6waxSeFA

[RockyMtRebel]

Reviving this one, I like to plan well in advance. So I know it’s far off but I’m thinking May - temps should be nice for camping. This far in advance I’d love to start getting folks who are interested altogether and start targeting dates!

Its about 9 or 10 hours from the front range to the start of this epic trail. I’ll probably be coming from Palm Springs so it’ll be 10 1/2 hours for me. I’d like to plan 4 nights and have plenty of time to explore and not be in any hurry.

I’ll just throw a random date to start and happy to change dates to make it work for interested parties!

How about I’ll start with May 12-14th (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights). Anyone interested?

[open_circuit]

Maybe. Mark me as interested

[FINOCJ]

I am still interested...May would be a good month for me.

[Java]

May 12-14 works for me, I'm tentatively putting it in my schedule for next year. Thanks Matt, it looks amazing.

[RockyMtRebel]

Awesome, great group so far! 5 months to obsess over this now 🤣

[speedkills]

I'm still interested, but that footage of a Jeep Liberty doing it isn't exactly selling the "hard out and back" aspect. Did they do the whole thing or only go part way?

[Java]

Surviving vs. Thriving. Looks like a lot of work in the wrong rig, a lot of fun in a capable one. A couple of years ago some Subarus did Middle St. Vrain / Coney Flats and left a ton of stacked rocks and fluids on the trail, in one of their videos they fix some bent steering parts that look like little Barbie Jeep parts. I can't imagine it was a fun day, but they did do it. For what IDK. The Liberty isn't that impressive making it, Pioneers dragged wooden wheeled wagons over it. Remember the Crown Victoria on Hells Revenge? Still a fun trail, but it does cut into the bragging rights knowing some guy did it in an old cop car.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYIJpzo2RVY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvXi_HejnI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI

[speedkills]

That's awesome.

[TDash]

that is hilarious

[Steve-O]

I'm going to look into it, Matt. Should be doing some long term scheduling at work soon

[Java]

I spent a little time looking at a fun way to get there from Colorado and Utah does not disappoint. Between Blanding and Hole in the Rock are some incredible things, the trip there may be as much fun as the trail itself. :thumb:

Map from Delta, CO to the trailhead https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Cleland+Park,+Delta,+CO/''/Butler+Wash+Ruins+Trailhead,+Utah/''/Natural+Bridges+National+Monument,+Lake+Powell,+UT/Grand+Gulch+Primitive+Area,+Utah/Nokai+Dome+Rd,+Utah+84533/@37.5684922,-109.9360056,56706m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m44!4m43!1m5!1m1!1s0x87474d447e1894 8f:0xc919e76c6699ee85!2m2!1d-108.0654234!2d38.7374084!1m5!1m1!1s0x8739d4621e23a bff:0x55083fd9c720341c!2m2!1d-109.4899388!2d37.6314691!1m5!1m1!1s0x87377dc37fc27 809:0xa1b40c42defcd62c!2m2!1d-109.6325194!2d37.5242229!1m5!1m1!1s0x87377b5fd9887 9db:0xcdd4763d9773ec77!2m2!1d-109.7445355!2d37.5437261!1m5!1m1!1s0x8737a08d0fccf 829:0x6e57de12b97ced17!2m2!1d-110.0052043!2d37.604056!1m5!1m1!1s0x87370ee4d1df6f 01:0x35342ee9f33e7275!2m2!1d-110.084422!2d37.458411!1m5!1m1!1s0x8736fa55826d7f0 5:0x9873c71803b2d766!2m2!1d-110.4920298!2d37.3942135!3e0

Cool park in Delta with carved trees: https://cityofdelta.net/parksrecgolf/page/cleland-park

Edge of the Cedars State Park: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/edge-of-the-cedars/

Butler Wash Anasazi Ruins: https://anasazihikes.com/butler-wash-anasazi-ruins/

House On Fire: https://bearsearsmonument.org/house-on-fire/

Natural Bridges National Monument: https://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm

Grand Gulch Primitive Area: https://utah.com/grand-gulch

I'd love to leave via the Halls' Crossing / Bullfrog Ferry if we get some water by then: https://www.udot.utah.gov/connect/current-conditions/lake-powell-ferry-crossing/

[Java]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpyU-0BNK9k


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG85267glZw

[Gretchen]

I would like to do this but I can only do May 14-18. Leave Allenspark on the 14th, wheel 15, 16, 17 and go home on the 18th.

[RockyMtRebel]

I would like to do this but I can only do May 14-18. Leave Allenspark on the 14th, wheel 15, 16, 17 and go home on the 18th.
These dates work for me!

[Java]

Thanks to this thread I have Blanding on my radar now, never considered it before but we're planning a camping / hiking trip there now. It looks like Moab 10 years ago, small and cool with a lot of things to do around it.

This place looks great, the sign on the window @.30 says it all:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1IayAHg8d4

[open_circuit]

I'm pretty amped up for this now. I've been watching videos of the trail and with the lack of wheeling recently I'm feeling anxious to get out for some good trail time again.

[Jim]

Any thinking on narrowing date options?



Fuel looks reasonably available - the marina's at both ends of the ferry crossing look to have fuel (more than one at the north end).

Trailhead-ish (37.402848, -110.481773 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B024'10.3%22N+110%C2%B028'54.4%22W/@37.4022321,-110.4836533,737m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x8d959c7138224938!7e2 !8m2!3d37.4028475!4d-110.481773)) to gas at...
Hall's Crossing, south ferry landing (Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.4034296,-110.4834684/''/@37.442707,-110.6362221,49956m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x8736f9555555 5555:0x4e958ca73a603086!2m2!1d-110.7140572!2d37.456652!3e0)) 15 miles
Hite Sinclair (Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.402845,-110.4817621/''/@37.6082104,-110.6477055,167659m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m10!4m9!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x873635b0c9c 20923:0x671905e0637a0f2d!2m2!1d-110.3839909!2d37.8765163!3e0!5i1)) 68 miles
Blanding Sinclair (Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.402848,-110.481773/''/@37.5052189,-110.2601463,112054m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x8739d540 16cc9055:0x8722e132492a8540!2m2!1d-109.4783524!2d37.6071637!3e0)) 72 miles
Mexican Hat (Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.402848,-110.481773/37.1488595,-109.8598502/@37.3357565,-110.3337262,137470m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0)) 77 miles

Hanksville UT to the north ferry crossing (Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.5202503,-110.7253147/38.370416,-110.7031123/@37.909322,-110.552589,204390m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0)) looks to be 67 miles


Ferry status:
https://www.udot.utah.gov/connect/current-conditions/lake-powell-ferry-crossing/
The ferry does not operate on maintenance days or if water levels in the lake drop below 3575 feet in elevation.

Lake level (update daily?? scroll down the page) & ramp status (the ferry uses Bullfrog (north end) and Hall's Crossing (south end) ramps)
https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/changing-lake-levels.htm

[RockyMtRebel]

Any thinking on narrowing date options?

What do you mean by “narrowing date options”? Shorter duration? Different dates? Just not quite understanding the question 🤓

[RockyMtRebel]

I suggested some dates in the original post, Gretchen suggested different dates that work and they work for me also since I’m pretty flexible. Are there other dates you want to suggest Jim? Does May 14-18 not work for anyone? I would love everyone’s input on dates and the sooner we can finalize the better I suppose!
Texhnically this is a 35 mile out and back trail so really can be done with one or two nights camping. My thinking is the first night camping will be at or near the start of the trail after a long day drive to get there. Then we have two nights camping on the trail and a third night on the trail or somewhere else after finishing.
I’m up for making this a little longer to accommodate additional explorations (i.e. taking ferry and running Capital Reef area or something else in the vicinity).
My main objective, however, is to run Hole in the Rock trail but am open to suggestions or changes to the plan!

[Jim]

Not suggesting any change - just looking to have dates bubble up to the top as the November slot didn't happen. May 14-18 works. EDIT: Once a date is firm I'll invite a guest for the passenger seat.

If you're considering camping near the start of the trail - maybe consider camping at the south ferry campground? It's not remote / dispersed but it does have toilets and would be close to the start of the trail. Certainly not a hard item for me - just something to consider.

I'm well hoping the fuel station at the south ferry port will be open for fuel. If yes, I won't need any gas can. If no, I will - more than the maze trip.

[RockyMtRebel]

Ok, those dates work for me too so perhaps I should start a “planned trail” thread with these dates to see who is all in!

I would think the marina gas station would be open by then since the Lake Powell season should have started already…. A call ahead of the trip to confirm would be wise!

[Jim]

If you're firm with those dates - yep - planned is in order.

The gas station is 99% odds a 24-hour unmanned credit card operation though I would call a day or two in advance to ensure it's open and has fuel.

Operation at those locations is questionable if water levels are low. Hite Marina, when I visited after the Maze trip, was well out of the water (nobody around the dock area or camp sites) but the gas station / convenience store were open.

[RockyMtRebel]

That makes at minimum three of us good with those dates! I think Paul and Trent and James might all be interested and available those dates also so I’ll get a Planned Thread posted later today!
I do not yet have an extra fuel solution for my new Jeep so I’m also hoping the marina has gas available at that time!

[open_circuit]

Both sets of possible May dates seem fine at this point in the year.

[Java]

I don't have to finalize my dates for May until March so I'll just go with whatever you decide on. I already have the first set in my schedule and a note to myself to pick up a new gas carrier before then. I think two nights camping on HITR sounds great, and there are a lot of other things in the area.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsVe45vXQPQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg2k5siGaD0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNcAB5glXM8

[speedkills]

Those dates should work fine for me too.

[RockyMtRebel]

Looks like we got a great group! I will post up a planned thread later tonight, I’m excited for May 🤙🏽

[Steve-O]

Those dates work as good for me as any others. My terrible position at work ends 1 Jun, maybe I'll just take two weeks of vacation at the end of May :lmao:

[jayson44]

this looks like so much fun! I'm in!

J.

[Jim]

Moon Phase for Hite Utah 2022 - not great for star gazing

May 8 - First Quarter
May 15 - Full Moon

[JLWILLYS21]

I would like to do this but I can only do May 14-18. Leave Allenspark on the 14th, wheel 15, 16, 17 and go home on the 18th.

I'm in (unless work gets in the way).

[Gretchen]

Moon Phase for Hite Utah 2022 - not great for star gazing

May 8 - First Quarter
May 15 - Full Moon

I have to plan my days off and work schedule a year in advance and I always try to schedule 4 and 5 day weekends around the full moon. So I actually scheduled May 14-18 in July of 2021.

[Java]

According to these guys, the top 10 4x4 trails in Utah are:

1. Transcontinental Railroad (Pony Express Trail)
2. Sand Hollow
3. Barrack's Trail
4. Elephant Hill
5. Hell's Revenge
6. 5 Mile Pass
7. American Fork Canyon
8. Fins 'N Things
9. Hole in the Rock
10. Devil's Racetrack


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr8CP3-1yGA

[speedkills]

So are you saying we should all just take a month off and do them all?

[Java]

Yes!! I'm hoping to take a long week if this trip happens and hit a bunch of stuff along the way. Utah makes is so easy, just the normal drive to the trailhead passes about a dozen great things.

[speedkills]

I'd be up for it.

[RockyMtRebel]

This is happening, dates are set and the wife is aware! I might add on a day or two also to hit a few other trails also!

[RockyMtRebel]

Also, if anyone wants to meet me out in the St George area sooner, let me know! Sand Hollow and Barracks trail are both in the area! I LOVE the St George area, the soft red sand is inviting and beautiful 😎

[Gretchen]

This is happening, dates are set and the wife is aware! I might add on a day or two also to hit a few other trails also!

Are the dates May 14-18?

[RockyMtRebel]

Are the dates May 14-18?
Yes!!!

[speedkills]

I’m up for the extended version Matt.

[RockyMtRebel]

I’m thinking of maybe starting on the 12th, running a couple nearby trails or some on the way! I’m not sure if I’ll be coming from SoCal or Colorado at that time yet. I’m also thinking about taking my off-road trailer along, although I won’t be able to haul it along the entire Hole in The Rock, I may have to leave it for at least one night while we run to the end and back. I will have wheel lock boots to ensure it isn’t stolen. It has a fridge/freezer, stove, sink with running hot water, a shower & holds over 30 gallons of water.

[jayson44]

what days would be for HITR? the 16 & 17th? or are you stretching it to 3 days?

J.

[RockyMtRebel]

We could spend 2 or 3 nights on HITR, depends what everyone is up for. I'm definitely not in a rush and would prefer to take our time, find some amazing campsites, scout ahead and play on obstacles, record videos and take pictures, etc, etc. It will be 9 or 10 hours drive if going directly to the trailhead, which would mean camping pretty close to the trailhead most likely. 14th-18th is the hard cut-off dates with the original idea to travel on the 14th, run the trail on the 15th, 16th and the 17th. Heading back home on the 18th. Most likely it won't take us 3 nights on the trail but perhaps we decide to meet at the trailhead mid-late morning on the 15th, head up and spend the 15th and 16th and then hit other trails on the 17th on the way back home...... I'm up for anything, but keeping the original dates the 14th-18th set aside specifically for HITRT.

Just north of this trail are some very intriguing trails that we could potentially add on to this trip. Jacobs Chair is moderate loop trail off 95 that looks very cool and I've been curious about for a while. Piute Pass North & South run from 95 south to Red canyon road, and both of these are rated 3.0 (difficult) and I've read there are some serious pucker sections on these trails. There's more than a handful of others in the area too.

[open_circuit]

*Looks at calendar* -- It's not May yet =\

[speedkills]

Weekend wheeling makes the time pass faster.

[RockyMtRebel]

I’m heading back to California tomorrow, can’t wait to do some desert wheeling next week 🤣

[Java]

These ladies do the trail in/out in 9 hours. I've never seen the section A 1:15 in any other videos. Around 1:30 is what I think is the end of the trail at Lake Powell.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F-osNQeS7Y

good clips in this one too


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9K_Weiew5w

[RockyMtRebel]

Yea that’s definitely not from HITRT, this trail doesn’t come within a couple miles of Lake Powell. Good video otherwise!

[Jim]

Simply re-posting the planned dates for this run:

May 14 - 18

[FINOCJ]

A little check in on this...I am starting to think about planning. Debating whether to the drive the jeep all the way there and back, pull the jeep to near the trailhead and leave the taco for a few days, or just drive and wheel the tacoma. Do we have a planned meeting spot, like where the dirt trail leaves hwy 276 on the morning of the 15th...or just meet at the marina for gas and whatnot. Looks like a days drive if I am pulling the jeep, and would plan to camp or motel the night of the 14th at halls crossing. Maybe could leave my truck somewhere there. I might be convinced to drive the jeep the entire way, possibly following more mellow/dirt routes if someone was interested to group up. That would probably mean jeep camping somewhere in eastern UT, and the early roading to the trailhead, as long as we were somewhere in the 3hr range from the trailhead, assuming something like a 10am meet-up. Whose thinking what?

[open_circuit]

A little check in on this...I am starting to think about planning. Debating whether to the drive the jeep all the way there and back, pull the jeep to near the trailhead and leave the taco for a few days, or just drive and wheel the tacoma. Do we have a planned meeting spot, like where the dirt trail leaves hwy 276 on the morning of the 15th...or just meet at the marina for gas and whatnot. Looks like a days drive if I am pulling the jeep, and would plan to camp or motel the night of the 14th at halls crossing. Maybe could leave my truck somewhere there. I might be convinced to drive the jeep the entire way, possibly following more mellow/dirt routes if someone was interested to group up. That would probably mean jeep camping somewhere in eastern UT, and the early roading to the trailhead, as long as we were somewhere in the 3hr range from the trailhead, assuming something like a 10am meet-up. Whose thinking what?

I'm interested in the mellow dirt road extra night camping idea.

[Gretchen]

I am looking to leave my house by 6 AM on May 14 and I am going home on May 18th hopefully by 10 AM no matter where I’m at in Utah.

[FINOCJ]

I'm interested in the mellow dirt road extra night camping idea.

Open to suggestions...it's only a couple hours from Blanding to the trailhead, so as long as we camp sorta near the La sal mts, we should be fine to get to the trailhead at a reasonable hour. It would require an early dept from Denver, as it's at least 4hrs to dirt in western CO (and I'll be cruising in a 50 year old jeep)....I am good with alpine starts....if we found dirt or gravel by 2pm, we could cruise for quite awhile before camping.

[FINOCJ]

One possibility could be driving the kokopelli trail .... although the road used to start near Loma, that easter terminus only MTB, so start is in rabbit valley...follow it to Dewey bridge, then it goes past ToW and I think it becomes Thompson canyon and up rise garden hill. Camp somewhere out near sand flats, and then it's mostly roading the jeeps to near Halls crossing the next morning.

[open_circuit]

Open to suggestions...it's only a couple hours from Blanding to the trailhead, so as long as we camp sorta near the La sal mts, we should be fine to get to the trailhead at a reasonable hour. It would require an early dept from Denver, as it's at least 4hrs to dirt in western CO (and I'll be cruising in a 50 year old jeep)....I am good with alpine starts....if we found dirt or gravel by 2pm, we could cruise for quite awhile before camping.

Ty, Shane and I camped in the mountains west of Monticello on our fall 2020 trip. There seems to be a lot of camping up that way.

I don't know anything about the Kokopeli Trail specifically. Rose Garden hill scared me off in 2019. From the base of rose garden hill onion creek is the obvious alternate route out, so at least there are options.

[Jim]

I'm flexible / interested / FWIW