Southern Utah Traverse (19-25 MAY)

Southern Utah Traverse​

South Utah
May 19th - 25th, 2019












​

I am currently planning a 7 day trip to do the Southern Utah Traverse (S.U.T). It will start at the Utah/Colorado border near the Hovenweep National Monument and at Beaver Dam State Park near the Nevada/Utah border. I just finished building the route, gas stops, suggested camping spots, and places to stop and check out referencing other's past runs through this.


I'm wanting to gauge other people's interest in going, if there are dates that would work better for them, as well as any suggestions on places that are a must see that may be nearby or along this route.



Quick Info:
S.U.T. Dates:May 19th - 25th.

Vehicle Limit: 6

Meeting Location Options:
- May 18th @ 37.400899, -109.036718
- May 19th at Hovenweep Visitor Center (Fueled up)

Route Start: Near Hovenweep National Monument

Ending location: Pine Park Campground, Utah

Route Difficulty: Easy to medium, depending on amount of rain lately for current
water levels and mud. Should be completely capable with 4wd.


Summary:
The Utah Traverse started on the Expedition Utah forum in 2008 by a member that often traveled throughout Utah (original planning thread HERE). This route has many variations, from 4 day trips to as long as a month. The average time seems to be anywhere from 6-10 days. I closely followed one overlander’s planned route with some small variations of my own.



Vehicle Limit (First come first serve):
01. @PcBuilder14
02. @99taco4x4
03. @Cuffs
04.
05.
06.

Maybe:
01. @970btu
02. @Stig
03. @MR E30
04. @Rockymtntacoma
05. @Hobbs



Meeting Point:
We will have 2 meeting dates/locations depending on people's plans.

The first one will be in Colorado on the evening of the 18th near the beginning of the Southern Utah Traverse near the Utah/Colorado border at the following coords for camp that night: 37.400899, -109.036718

The second meeting point will be on the 19th at the Hovenweep Visitor Center. Time will TBD for that morning. If you plan to meet up here, arrive fueled up as we will immediately be starting the trip from here.


Route:
Below is an image and link to the route that shows the route, suggested camping spots, gas stops, and other interesting things to go explore along the way. If you would like a copy of this, please PM me your email address.



https://www.gaiagps.com/public/45nl...45nl0MkQtlgvT0Evg0PWJKkG?layer=mapquestaerial






Camping:
There are many camping spots along the route, not including ones I may have missed. All are free. Most are primitive with no water, electricity, bathrooms, or showers. So come prepared with whatever amenities you require to be comfortable.

We do not have to camp at any of the ones mapped, we just have to find a legal and open area that will fit all of the vehicles somewhere near the route.



Gear List:
First off, please check over your rig to make sure everything is in good order. Fluids, belts, nuts and bolts, etc...

Here is a great link on what you should consider bringing and what to take:https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/off-road-tips-and-gear-list.15254/

Minimum requirements:
- Spare tire
- Tow points
- Gas jug
- Tools you need to work on your vehicle

I HIGHLY recommend a CB radio, but it's not needed. Makes things a lot easier and fun when you're able to be in contact with everyone.

I will have just about every tool needed to work on my truck, so bring what tools you would use when working on yours so we have everything we need when combined.

I would like for at least one person coming to have an air compressor. I will have one, but if for some reason that doesn't work I'd like somebody to have something to use.

Recommend bringing spare parts as well such as belts, radiator hoses, cv axles, tire plugs, fluids.



Video & Pics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Nl4Mr4qXM

The switchbacks of the Honeymoon Trail





The Coral Pink Sand Dunes





Elephant Gap





Bull Valley Gorge





Grosvenor Arch





Alstrom Point





Left Hand Collet





Strike Valley Overlook





Burr Trail Switchbacks





McMillan Springs Camp





Bull Creek Pass







Poison Springs





Hite Cross

 

Put me in for the Maybe. I would love to do this! The date is a long time away and my work requirements can change and become demanding.

 

Will do!

Join us!

 

I don't plan far in advance, know i have a wedding to attend in May but don't have dates yet..

So I'll maybe it up.

Guess i do know the date.. The 11th, so this could work depending on where in the world i am.

 

Oh man!

I live in Flagstaff and will be attending the Expo as well. Let me look into my work schedule (which changes frequently, so put me down as a maybe for now please).

Thanks for setting this up!

 

Do eet!

 

Hmmmm

 

I’m in for more than maybe but not quite a for sure.

I have the time. I have the camping gear. I will have to work on parts and tools.

 

There will definitely be highway sections to cross, but it's mostly county roads or BLM trails.

I always assumed that if you're registered in one state, then other states won't really bother you for not passing their inspection requirements since you're not a resident in those states

We will also be driving through the sand dunes instead of the Barracks trail. Since we're driving East to West we will be bypassing the Barracks trail that you'd normally go through for this route due to a steep sand hill that's practically impossible to get up without a winch.

 

If I can go, ( Im already working on it) I have a 10K warn, recovery gear, straps, and traction boards. Winching Should not be an issue as I should have my second battery in by then.

 

This is the first I heard of this. I have done lot of modifications to my Nevada rig. What should I be on the lookout for?

 

Ah fuck it. Move me to the “for sure” column. I’ve got the time. If something horrible comes up, I’ll move out and make room for a wait-listed truck.

 

We'll play it by ear then depending on the rigs we have. Below is a video of the trail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYMgHWX2Y3s

I capped it at 6 just because once you get more vehicles than that it just feels overwhelming trying to get movement coordinated imo.

 

Very interested! Put me on the maybe list

 

I looked over your track, you sure thats alstom point, seems slightly to east of the alstom point, unless they call both of those areas alstom point. otherwise pretty cool track, from what i read that part of road is going to be quite challenging so be prepared.

 

What a great trip!

Consider me subscribed to this thread!

 

Yeah, I accidentally labeled two points as Alstrom Point. The correct one is labeled appropriately now.

 

Bump

 

Have had LOTS and lots of rain and snow in the Zion area this winter. I just came in 89 from Flagstaff today. Water in every wash. I know May is a ways off, but its not letting up yet either. Rock fall and mud slides is a big deal right now (just took out about 50' of road within Zion NP last night). If you have any camp sites that are at the base of a mesa, might want to reconsider those and falling rock will be an issue even without the rains.

 

Alright, I am moving towards making this trip a definite yes due to how awesome it sounds, and how close it is to where I live.

I wanted to ask a few questions about how we all expect to function on this trip, as taking the time away from work and the wife does not come easy. Everyone who is planning to attend please chime in with your personal preferences.

I am asking these questions beforehand to determine if the way I behave and act on trips like this jives with everyone else.

To give a quick overview, for anyone who has read his epic trip reports, I like to travel like turbodb and his group (on their longer adventures).

- Early to rise and get out of camp (9-ish in the morning).
- Plan to cover a decent amount of ground each day, but ensuring there is time to take in the surroundings as we come to them. Too often I read members trip reports and come across the phrase "I will have to come back here one day to REALLY take this place in". The world is simply too vast, and trips too few, to rush through the entire thing. I embark with the mentality that I will never come back to this particular place, so get it while the getting is good.
- At least plan to get to a campsite before the sun goes down. I understand this isn't always possible.
- I love me some campfires.
- I need campsites with a view. I have no desire to camp huddled within a cluster of trees, not being able to see further than a few hundred feet. I want to sleep at cliff edges, and huge open areas above the surrounding landscape.
- Strict adherence to posted trails (and bypasses), with the ultimate goal of leaving whichever place we happen to be as nice as, or even nicer, than it was when we got there.
- Fully self sufficient from the get-go, apart from gasoline refills. I am not a fan of swinging by a Starbucks on day two, or eating at a roadhouse one evening, or going out of our way to a grocery store to get necessary supplies. I like to prep beforehand and then fully commit to using just the things I have packed to get me through the trip, gas and emergencies aside.
- A 'stick together' mentality. We work to assist someone in need of trail repairs, as spotters for difficult areas, etc.

I understand that emergencies may invalidate all of my points above, as safety and thoughtfulness are a top priority, since we will all be driving fairly expensive and nice vehicles.

I hope I didn't come off as too brash, as that is not my desire, I just want to determine whether or not we are all on a similar page when it comes to this trip.

Thanks!

- Mike