This trail enters an area that remains beautiful despite the marks of "range improvements" (chaining), power lines, and uranium mining. Today, grazing continues, the power lines hum, but the mines are in ruins. Four-wheeling gets better, however, as the mine roads deteriorate. The trail is about 12 miles south of Moab and between Highway 191 and the La Sal Mountains. Much of it is in and about Pole Canyon and other headwaters of Kane Springs Canyon. One badly eroded trail portion crosses a tributary canyon that we are calling Strike Ravine for the outcrop of a tilted sandstone layer that forms the base of the trail. The rocky hills and bouldery washbottoms make high ground clearance throughout the underside of the vehicle an important consideration. There are sneaky rocks that make it easy for vehicles to use their sheet metal panels as "paint brushes." The trail was down-rated half a notch recently because one troublesome rock on the "Big Ugly" hill was removed by someone, but use and erosion are adding new challenges. Approximate mileage: 32 total, 11 off highway. |
