UTAH (and Surrounding Areas) BS Thread

I remember reading about that, buying in on the lease is a way to donate to keep the land open. That way Snowbird can't close the road access to the parcel.

 

+1 for Ray's Tavern. Love that place. Gotta try those other places out too.

 

If you ever find yourself in Zion National Park, it's worth the drive up Mt Carmel Highway. The tunnel is cut into the rock cliff! https://youtu.be/3eFIrs0XKPI

 

If you're into sushi, Sabaku is really good. (and it's owned by a river guide friend of mine)

 

Fuck Snowbird. Just saying...

 

So for those familiar with the Franklin Basin area up Logan Canyon I am hoping to get a bit of assistance. I'm trying to get my wife more comfortable exploring these forest service roads but when we took the jeep, which had quite a bit more clearance than the Taco, she would get out if there were large ruts or rocks in the trail, or if it looked like any semi-deep puddles or mud. Now in addition to that the Taco is so new that if anything encroaches onto the road even remotely close enough that it could pinstripe the truck she has be turn around.

So keeping all of that in mind I was wondering about Franklin Basin Road starting in Logan Canyon and then popping out at Cub Creek and driving back home through Preston. I'm just wondering about road conditions of the main route, as well as a couple possible side routes like Steep Hollow Road and Gibson Lakes Road. Also if anyone has any suggestions on good camping sites. We would be pitching a ground tent. I'm just trying to get her more interested in exploring since the Taco is far more comfortable and has a lot longer range than the Jeep.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

That is a good area for sure, however I haven't been up there in years so I don't know what to expect currently.

Have you also considered going from Logan canyon to Blacksmith Fork? You can do so via Right Hand Fork (turn off up Logan Canyon near the Girl Scout Camp) and you'll hook up to Left Hand Fork in Blacksmith fork. There shouldn't be any "pinstriping" areas that I can think of and it is a fairly smooth road, no real ruts or rock/boulders in the road it does get washboardy towards the Left Hand side.

Providence Canyon may be a good place to start as well, just a dirt road canyon with a rock quarry at the top that you can test her limits with gradually. It also goes up all the way through and connects to Mt. Logan's trail that will wind down to Right Hand fork as well.

And then even Hardware Ranch area is pretty open dirt roads both to the North, and South towards Huntsville.


Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Thanks for the info. Are there any good camping sites along any of those routes or is it mostly just a day trip? I think if I can throw in a nice over night camping trip that might get her more willing to explore in the truck. We mostly have just driven up Logan canyon and done hikes off the main road.

 

Yea you can camp all over up there, it does get pretty crowded between Right and Left though as it is easier access and most of the camping is right off the dirt road. The Right to Left hand drive only takes a couple hours, worth driving to see if you would like to camp there.

I prefer to go higher into the Hardware area and camp there when I am up in CV as it is less crowded, although it has its times with crowds too.


I also plan to make my way to the Franklin Basin/Mink Creek/Cub River area this year too as it has been ages.

 

Thanks for the info. I will run this past her and see what she thinks.

 

I too had/have an uncomfortable wife when it comes to offroading, it just takes some time an more experience knowing that not every bump, rock, obstacle is going to put the truck on its side, or roll (unrealistic fears in her mind). The more I have gotten her out the more comfortable she has become and the less she is starting to pay attention to her fears and more attention on the experience/scenery and such. The initial phases are always the worst/hardest, but it will get better in time.

Good Luck!

 

Just did the Total Chaos Cam Tab gusset install yesterday. It was a long 12 hrs, but hopefully my alignment will hold alot better after going offroad.

If you do serious offroading, I recommend this upgrade. My passenger alignment tabs were rolled over.

 

I’m planning to do Forest Lake in American Fork Canyon on Sunday, if anyone is interested.

 

Saw that on the UTOR FB last night. Looks good!

Also, who wore it better? That prefilter is HUGE!

 

What time you thinking?

 

I was thinking 10:00 a.m.

 

What is the trail like? My setup isn’t as capable as some... @H3llRid3r. I’d be interested but not one that would hold the group up

 

Yea, its the 10" donaldson. I need like 330 CFM for the intake. The 7" donaldson didn't offer a high enough intake flow rate for the 4.0L. I honestly want to switch it out to the 'top spin' model. They are smaller (~7") and have a ball bearing turbine in them.

 

If they want to do forest lake, there is a large rock garden as soon as you go through the water crossing. I haven't done it as this trail is always too populated for my liking. I have done Miller Hill and Mineral Basin. Mineral Basin is not recommended for Stock Rigs There is also FR056 that is a nice drive and isn't difficult. I am not sure it is open yet however...



Miller Hill however is a nice trail with some minor obstacles.

 

I’m only working a half day on the 6th so I’ll be ready to leave any time after Noon o clock.