Total newbie on Elephant Hill

Just got back from my trip to Utah and ended up taking on Elephant Hill as my first legitimate 4wd road. I tried to prep as much as possible (mostly with gear and armor), but the most important part...the driving the rig, I didn't really have time for before we left. I was totally regretting not making extra time to get used to 4wd and the lockers, especially as I sat at the bottom of the hill, getting ready to approach. Regardless, I made it though Elephant Hill, Lockhart and Beef Basin without any real issues.

A couple of thoughts I have from the trip:

* Pictures don't do 4wd roads any justice...way sketchier in person
* 2" lift, sliders, skids were all welcomed and I think I would have had some damage if I didn't have those components
* Rear skid took the most punishment and was the best armor investment by far (don't get me wrong, I love my sliders and skids)
* Having a good spotter will get you out of most tough jams before you ever get into them.
* Didn't have to use any recovery gear or tools, but was extremely thankful I went overboard on tools etc. as it helped with confidence when going into uncharted territory.

The trail was tricky and technical in some places, but ultimately, I got a crash course of what a Taco could handle. I never felt like I didn't have the power to make it up a feature and I never felt like the truck was out of it's league. I ended up with about 130 offroad miles, with only a handful of those being true 4x4 only type situations. Ultimately, my favorite part was having all kinds of luxuries parked at Devil's Kitchen so I could go off and explore the uncharted parts of the Needles, and I 100% will be using my Taco to get me back to more report base camps that I can use as jump off points to go explore the backcountry.

I'll get some pics up soon, but there aren't many of my taco in action since I am also the camera guy, so some of the pics will be of a jeep that went along with us.

 

Elephant Hill is a great trail!

I'd like to try Lockhart Basin next time I'm out there. Did you have any difficulties with it?

 

I apologize, I just went back and reviewed the route and we did not complete anything in Lockhart Basin. I'm still trying to find the name of the area, but right before Beef Basin Road hits the 211 the creek was high up and moving. I talked to a local who was out there climbing and he was saying they have had the wettest year in 100 years (not sure how true it is) and that the creek usually isn't running this high or fast in June. Apparently it's typically not much more than a puddle. I waded across to see if we could make it and it was nearly waist deep so we ended up having to back track and take a different way out (3 extra hours of off-roading) and I was told it was Lockhart basin, but it was not. I'm not sure of the name, but we ended up exiting Cottonwood road just south of Blanding off of the 95. All in all a lot of fun and was very thankful we stopped at the Needles Outpost and topped off because that ended up making the difference!

 

Are you thinking of Bobbys hole?

 

We went over Bobby’s hole. Bobby’s hole is pretty close to the border of Canyonlands. The crossing I’m referring to is about 100 yards from the end of Beef Basin rd before it runs into hwy 211 (the entrance to Canyonlands).

Bobby’s Hole was definitely the toughest thing we encountered compared to SOB Hill, Silver Stairs and anything else in Canyonlands.

 

are a few pics I was able to transfer over to my phone. Still haven’t had time
To go through them all yet.

 

We were there right after you. So from reading how you went out, that last river crossing was high but being a week or so later it was crossable. Going back up Elephant Hill is bit of challenge too, opted to go the long way this time and explore some different country. If you do Lockhart Basin in the future the last obstacle in the first section was in bad shape..we all had to be winched off.

 

Good report!

I'm going out there in 3 weeks to do Lockhart -> Elephant Hill -> Bobbys Hole -> Beef Basin, so this is great info. I see the water crossing you're talking about, but I'm assuming by mid Oct it'll be pretty low.

 

wow, nice shot!

 

We’re waiting...

 

This page here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/elephant-hill-solo.583130/page-2


TOTW = way harder
Lockhart = very challenging in the beginning. A Jeep died.
Bobbys Hole = lots of loose sand/rock and hard
Beef Basin = a nice relaxing drive after all that

 

Lol! You’d think I would’ve seen a reply in my own thread.