Exploring South-Eastern UT's backroads on a DR650

[Greg@RME]

Originally Posted by Hobo1

Had to read again.... Do you have any trips planned this year?

Nothing specific, but there are a few places I have in mind that I'd like to visit. We'll see how things pan out between work & other events I have planned, but I will be spending more time in the Utah desert.

Originally Posted by MasterMarine

Thanks for reviving this thread.

What a beautiful area! I miss the desert!

The desert is a beautiful place!

Originally Posted by sasha_j

South to North is definitely the way to do it. It will still be a handful going down Bobby's Hole, make no mistake.

Personally, I wouldn't do it in either direction on my DR650. Even once you get down Bobby's Hole, you are then committed to going UP backside of Elephant Hill, then DOWN the front. No other way to get out. Take a fall on any of these pitches and you are potentially in for a world of hurt.

Originally Posted by sasha_j

To elaborate further on this topic:

If you've never ridden here before, I would advise riding into Canyonlands/Needles first to do some recon. Bring hiking boots. Ride to the Elephant hill parking lot. Park your bike, put on your hiking boots. Hike up Elephant hill "road", over the little plateau on top, then hike down the back side to the wash and back. You can do this in under 2 hours. It's not that long.

If you can visualize yourself comfortably riding here, you are ready to enter the Park from the south via Cottonwood Canyon/Beef Basin, descending finally via Bobby's Hole and into the park.

Excellent advice Sasha, anyone considering riding a dual sport in this area needs to do some research and recon before simply heading in. I know the area after hiking parts of it and taking the 4x4 over Elephant Hill and had a decent idea of what I was getting into. Even then, Bobbys Hole Hill was more of a trial than I expected... and I hate backtracking.

[Utah Bones]

I cant wait to do Baxter pass again....

[xcuzzi]

I am looking to head out to the Needles dist. this Memorial day. Any suggestions on roads/destinatioins for mere mortals? I have done White Rim on my F800 (2 UP) and can handle that level of riding. It sounds like your ride is much more difficult. Also considering Hole in the Rock Rd from Escalante. I'm not 2 up this time.

Nice report and pics!

[sasha_j]

Originally Posted by xcuzzi

I am looking to head out to the Needles dist. this Memorial day. Any suggestions on roads/destinatioins for mere mortals? I have done White Rim on my F800 (2 UP) and can handle that level of riding. It sounds like your ride is much more difficult. Also considering Hole in the Rock Rd from Escalante. I'm not 2 up this time.

Nice report and pics!

With a F800GS, I think you won't have too many options inside Needles per se. I wouldn't take that bike past Lower Jump on the Confluence Road and no way on Elephant Hill.

You have tons of options just outside the park and especially in the MantiLaSal NF. Here is one great loop, about 118 miles from Needles and back.

Looks like the site no longer allows attachments???

PM me with your email and I send you a .gpx file of the route.

[Gentleman Pirate]

Great trip report, I do this myself and am always keen to see others ride/ camp. Looks some pretty remote places - take care !!

[ttr]

Great pics and beautiful land!!

[Bronco3738]

Great pictures. The more of these Utah threads I read the more areas I have to plan to visit. Two bike trip vacations to Utah so far and I still have to go back.

[Shaggie]

lovely pics and RR!

thanks!!!!