Poughkeepsie Gulch and "The Wall"

[ARC]

As mentioned here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-r...-colorado-eastern-utah-meet-up-bs-thread.html my wife and I are gearing up for a trip that includes Poughkeepsie and the infamous Wall.

This obstacle is always talked up as difficult and dangerous, but I have watched probably hundreds of videos of it and just don't see it. I realize that video often does not do trails real justice. Having never seen "The Wall" in person I am trying make sure I'm not missing something. Even TrailDamage.com rates it on the low end as a 5 with a "4 out of 5" for "rock crawling" which just seems high to me compared to similarly rated trails in Moab.

My theory is that compared to the other roads in the area this obstacle stands out because it's just about the only named obstacle around. Those familiar with the area would have to agree that the rest of roads out there provide very little technical challenge for a capable 4x4. I feel fairly confident that unless the trail is gets real wet my 3rd Gen will walk right up it with careful line choice.

Worst case we turn back around if this obstacle proves too difficult, but I would rather be prepared beforehand.

Anyone with first hand knowledge willing to share?

 

[jrob]

While it is accurate to say the rest of the trails in the area are pretty easy, I wouldn't underestimate the wall on poughkeepsie. I have driven a stock 4runner to the base of it from mineral creek without issue. I have never driven a vehicle over the wall, but I have ridden my motos (DRZ 400, KTM 450xc-f) over it many times. It is a handful on two wheels, and I consider myself to be moderate to advanced in that category. While I'm fairly certain my current truck would get up it no worries, it's not one I would attempt to tackle solo. I haven't seen any of the difficult stuff in Moab, but the wall on poughkeepsie is a pretty gnarly section of real estate.

If you get to the base of it and decide to turn back, it's not that far back down to mineral creek and up engineer to Animas Forks, then california to the summit of poughkeepsie.

 

[ARC]

It seems that most videos of the "Wall" go one of two ways. They walk right up it like cake or the spin and spin with no traction. In most of the videos where people struggle it appears the tires are inflated close to highway pressure. I'm thinking an aired down M/T will make a huge difference.

Anyone else with input?

 

[Jimmy_D]

It's not a particularly difficult obstacle unless it's wet; in which case it becomes considerably more difficult. There's a right wall and a left wall, separated by what can best be described as a V-notch (which is by far the most difficult route). Most everyone you see goes up the right wall. I always go up the left wall. It's steeper and requires more driver skill, but still not particularly difficult (I've spotted fairly inexperienced drivers up it). There are a number of lines you can take on the right wall. Picking the right line helps enormously. Watching videos of people attempting it on YouTube can help a great deal and give you some ideas on what to expect. There's a winch anchor spot on the left wall and I think there's also one on the right wall (in case you have a winch and have trouble getting up). If you can't and don't have a winch you can always turn back. I always air down for Poughkeepsie. The Conoco gas station at the 4-way stop in Ridgeway has free air and I always air up there on my way out of town.

 

[GhostDog]

Like others have said, if it's dry you should walk right up it locked and aired down. Last time I was there it was raining and considerably more difficult but I didn't mind turning around as the views there are spectacular!

 

[ARC]

It's not a particularly difficult obstacle unless it's wet; in which case it becomes considerably more difficult. There's a right wall and a left wall, separated by what can best be described as a V-notch (which is by far the most difficult route). Most everyone you see goes up the right wall. I always go up the left wall. It's steeper and requires more driver skill, but still not particularly difficult (I've spotted fairly inexperienced drivers up it). There are a number of lines you can take on the right wall. Picking the right line helps enormously. Watching videos of people attempting it on YouTube can help a great deal and give you some ideas on what to expect. There's a winch anchor spot on the left wall and I think there's also one on the right wall (in case you have a winch and have trouble getting up). If you can't and don't have a winch you can always turn back. I always air down for Poughkeepsie. The Conoco gas station at the 4-way stop in Ridgeway has free air and I always air up there on my way out of town.

Like others have said, if it's dry you should walk right up it locked and aired down. Last time I was there it was raining and considerably more difficult but I didn't mind turning around as the views there are spectacular!

Thanks for the info guys. I almost always air down if traveling more than a couple of miles in 4WD and have a compressor for this reason. I am starting to feel my mental assessment of this obstacle is pretty close. Can't wait to find out for sure though.

Can anyone confirm a legal bypass of the wall has been completed now?

 

[Jimmy_D]

I was there in mid-July and there was no work underway on any bypass. There used to be a bypass around to the left but it was closed 6 or 7 years ago (don't remember exactly when).

 

[CXS]

While there's no bypass there are winch points anchored in the rock. If you have trouble use them assuming you have a winch.

 

[Desert Fox]

I ran it my first and last time last July at the FJ Summit. The "Wall" is challenging but is do able as long as it is not wet.
The trail going to the wall sucks in my opinion. It is all mostly loose sharp rock, some with water running under it. I don't care to run those kind or trails so I wont do this again.

It is worth trying if you have the chance and it is dry. Do air down, I was at 18 PSI and could have gown down to 15.

Have fun