Bobby's Hole and automatic trans?

To answer your question, an auto would do just fine. We drove it last year in May, before that nasty crack in Nov 2013. Bobby's hole @ 9:11.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Djsp4jBt4

 

That's a really good video. Last time I was in Utah was before I got my tacoma. I can't wait to go back and get further into the back country with it.

 

If you don't want to go over elephant hill, which is way easier since they have improved it with cement and stuff, I would recommend hanging a left at the Dugout Ranch heading into Beef Basin then Ruin Canyon and on into Bobbys Hole. All BLM land and the back door to the backside of the Needles District. Very easy wheeling.