IntrepidXJ's Adventure Blog

Jackson Hole is a nice easy drive through an ancient bed of the Colorado River. The trail loops around Jackson Butte, which was isolated by the river before it changed it’s course at some distant time. After making the right turn onto this spur trail, you will cross some private property at first, but there are a few signs pointing you in the right direction. It is my understanding that there used to be some camels that lived on this property, however it seems as if they are no longer there.

Any high clearance 4×4 vehicle should have no problems travelling this trail. This spur trail can easily be combined with Chicken Corners to make your day of wheeling a little longer. If you have ever travelled the Cliffhanger trail, Jackson Hole is the area that you look down into over the edge.

Please feel free to leave your comments and post your pictures from Jackson Hole below.

Ophir Pass is a nice easy scenic drive between the small town of Ophir and Silverton. It can also be used to get to Telluride, and can be combined with either Black Bear Pass or Imogene Pass to make a loop.

This trail is pretty easy for any stock 4×4 vehicle. There are a few switchbacks and a shelf road on the Ophir side of the pass that is kind of narrow. However, this road is well maintained and even plowed of snow early in the season. This trail is a great introduction to driving the trails of the San Juans.

Please feel free to leave your comments and post your pictures from Ophir Pass below.

Hurrah Pass is a pretty easy drive all the way to the top that any stock 4×4 can handle. There are a few water crossings on Kane Creek Road that can be high after heavy rains, but are normally pretty shallow and easy.

Besides the great views from the pass at 4780 feet, you also pass Birthing Rock on your way down Kane Creek Canyon which contains Indian Petroglyphs. There are also a number of nice campsites along Kane Creek Road, if you are looking for a place to spend the night.

There are a number of other trails in the area that you can check out at the same time. If you continue over the pass, you can keep following the road which will lead you to Chicken Corners and Lockhart Basin. Or, you can turn around and continue up Kane Creek Canyon.

Please feel free to leave your comments and post your pictures from Hurrah Pass below.

Looking to beat the heat during the summer in Moab? Then La Sal Pass is a trail that you should check out. The scenery along this trail is much different than most of the other trails located in the Moab area. Instead of red rocks and desert terrain, this trail climbs into the La Sal Mountains which are covered in lush mountain forest.

While this trail is not very difficult, I would recommend a high clearance 4×4 vehicle for this trail. There are a number of tight turns and very narrow sections on the East side of the pass. There is also a talus slope section that was kind of cool to drive across. Once you reach the pass and continue down the West side, the trail turns into an easy road that any passenger vehicle can handle. If you do not have a vehicle equipped for the East side, you could come in from the West side and drive to the pass.

La Sal Pass makes for a great loop through the La Sal Mountains when combined with Geyser Pass. There are also a number of other side trails to explore in the area. When you arrive at the pass, there is an excellent view of Mount Peale, the highest peak in the La Sals.

Please feel free to leave your comments and post your pictures from La Sal Pass below.

Devils Racetrack is one of many trails and areas to explore within the San Rafael Swell. It’s located not too far from Interstate 70, so access to the trail is easy. There are a number of other trails in the area that can be combined with Devils Racetrack to make a loop, including Eagle Canyon and Fix It Pass.

Devils Racetrack would rate as a moderate trail in my book. While most of the trail is fairly easy, there are a few spots when you are traveling along the rim of Coal Wash Canyon that require some technical driving, especially if you are in a near stock rig. The washes, canyons and buttes along this trail offer some great photo opportunities along the way. On your way out from the trail, be sure to stop and check out Dutchman Arch, which is rather close to I-70.

The San Rafael Swell is a very scenic area that contains a number of back-country roads, trails, mines and arches to explore. However, unlike the Moab area that sees a lot more traffic, the Swell sees less people and is more spread out, so there is a lot more solitude and adventure to be had.

Please feel free to leave your comments and post your pictures from Devils Racetrack below.