Canyonlands trip help

[Dimhof]

I'm headed to canyonlands sunday through tuesday of this week and plan on attempting elephant hill. My co-pilot cancelled on me and am not certain attempting this solo would be a wise decision. I have 295s, 3" suspension lift, steel skids and sliders, a hi lift jack and full size spare. It is supposed to be 100°. I feel like everything I'm listing is more reason not to attempt but plan on getting a day permit to head as far as I feel comfortable or follow any other group that goes in. I plan on stopping at the visitor center and getting plan b & c options. Besides bringing plenty of H20 (4 gallons for myself) and extra fuel (do i need that on a day trip? I'll fill up at last gas station possible, starting from moab) any advice or words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

 

[Dimhof]

Trail is rated a 6 or moderate

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I was at the start of this trail last year where the hikers park. It was not a trail I could do with a no lift limited but with your 4runner I would probably try it. At least you are relatively close to civilization and there are hikers around (at least in the cooler part of the day). It is a scenic drive on dirt roads just getting to the start of the trail.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Canyonlands

Do you have recovery gear? Straps, a winch or come-along winch, air compressor, patch kit, shackles, etc? If you go alone you have to be able to self-rescue, that is, pull yourself out of a sticky wicket.
The question on gas can only be answered by knowing the total miles in and out. Figure less mpg for off-roading in 4 wheel drive, slow low gear.
Have fun. Be safe. Take only photos, leave only footprints.
:artist2:

 

[STX4Runner]

I was out there in May and would not hesitate to do this trail solo. Just carry water and food so if you get stuck you won't die immediately lol. No part of the trail was extreme enough to cause me any trouble, but it was hard enough in spots to be fun. the squeeze will be fun solo.

I imagine if you did get stuck or break down there would be someone along within a day or so at the absolute most who could help you out, and if not that you could always hike out as it's a loop that I think is only 9 miles round trip or so, so you'd never be more than 4 or 5 mile from the trail head.

 

[STX4Runner]

Oh, and one more thing, you definitely wont need extra fuel if you fill up in Moab. If you're worried about it you can top off at the Needles Outpost outside the park. Their gas was $4/gal in May.

 

[AZ Craig]

While I have never personally run more than the first mile or so of Elephant Hill (attempting it in a 2004 Silverado Extend cab quickly became evident we should turn around :biggrin2, I agree with STX4Runner that OP should be fine.

There will almost certainly be other people in there at some point and you are never really THAT isolated as it does not get that deep into the park. No concerns about fuel whatsoever either.

That being said, if you are intimidated running solo and still want to have a great time in Moab, you could stick to some of the more heavily used difficult trails like Fins and Things and even Hells Revenge (which has bypasses on most of the gnarly parts) that will give you a great challenge, but definitely have other people around if you get yourself in a bind.

I'm actually going to be up in Canyonlands in October for a wedding and a White Rim Road run in late October and was thinking about hitting Elephant Hill if I get a bit more armor on the truck in time (since only thing I know I'm prioritizing right now are Rock Rails).

 

[Dimhof]

Thank you gentleman this puts my mind at ease. I have recovery straps and an onboard arb compressor but no patch kit, probably wouldnt hurt to pick one up even though i have a spare. Hope you all have a great holiday weekend

 

[STX4Runner]

Make sure you take some pictures and post here.

 

[Dimhof]

I imagine if you did get stuck or break down there would be someone along within a day or so at the absolute most who could help you out, and if not that you could always hike out as it's a loop that I think is only 9 miles round trip or so, so you'd never be more than 4 or 5 mile from the trail head.[/QUOTE]

Funny you say that because I wont go alone again, haha. I managed to get out with only 1 scrape on my skid. Hats off to you for getting a pic in the squeeze. I couldnt even climb out of my windows. I love how right from the getgo the terrain gets intense. Climbing back up after completing the loop was interesting for sure. That's definitely the hardest I've pushed my truck and I was amazed at how capable these things are

 

[STX4Runner]

Funny you say that because I wont go alone again, haha. I managed to get out with only 1 scrape on my skid. Hats off to you for getting a pic in the squeeze. I couldnt even climb out of my windows. I love how right from the getgo the terrain gets intense. Climbing back up after completing the loop was interesting for sure. That's definitely the hardest I've pushed my truck and I was amazed at how capable these things are[/QUOTE]

It's fun trail for sure, and it gets down to business as you go up and back down Elephant Hill right away. My friend took a picture of me in the squeeze. There's no way you could get out or back in. lol

 

[Dimhof]

Sorry to revive an old thread but i am wondering if anybody has made it through 'the squeeze' in a 5th gen with an aRB Safari Snorkel? I have a trip planned in late february and havent even begun to check if its open. I made it through with mirrors folded in last summer and not sure if i want to push it with the snorkel on. Thanks in advance