Behind the Rocks Trail

by The Flatlander for

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Summary: The 4+ rated Behind the Rocks trail offers extremes in 4-Wheeling from two track level road to 4+ obstacles that most drivers with good sense would avoid. Views of the very rugged Behind the Rocks weather sculpted sandstone are impressive along the way.

Location: The Jeep Safari version of the trail leaves Highway 191 about 12 miles south of Moab through a gate in the fence that may need to be closed again once you are through. The Gate is along the west side of the Highway 191 about 2 miles south of it's intersection with Beeman Road. It covers the terrain "behind the rock" face seen when look southwest from Moab.

Scenery: The scenery includes the unique weathered sandstone fins and domes just behind the rock cliff that faces Moab. There are several opportunities to pier down into Kane Creek Canyon which bounds the area on the southwest.

The Trail: The Behind the Rocks trail is very difficult. Broken drive trains are not uncommon for those that attempt the 4+ obstacles on this trail. The optional climb back up White knuckle Hill also carries a significant risk of a roll over. The first part of the trail will get your attention with several climbs and drops off eroded rock ledges.

Click the small pictures to view 640X480X16 million color versions.

But the first major obstacle is "High Dive" which you should think twice about before going down. It is very steep and ledgy so a poor choice of line could induce a roll. The baby Bronco is at a very unnerving spot in this picture.

No sooner do you get to the bottom than Upchuck Hill stares you in the face. My baby Bronco made it up. You can still see High Dive in the background.

This FJ Toyota didn't make it up Upchuck. Broke his rear drive shaft. That happens a lot here. There is a bypass for those with better judgement.

There is a optional steep rock dome after High Dive and Upchuck. It is reported to be very near a 100% (45 degree) grade. My tires were slipping a little on the way up. A bypass is available for those more concerned about the welfare of their bodies (both human and 4X4).

This is White Knuckle Hill. The last ledge, near the bottom, caved off like a bunch of loose bricks not long after I went down so it is even steeper now. It's not difficult to understand why it's called White Knuckle Hill when you are the one driving down. Once everyone is down, some will try to go back up. I saw a brand new Defender 90 roll trying to do that. Damage was over $20,000. But the driver got back in, tried it again and made it.

Once the fun at White Knuckle is over it is a relatively uneventful, but long drive out to the County Road and back to Highway 191.

1998 Behind The Rocks Report
1997 Behind The Rocks Report
32nd Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1998)
31st Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1997)
30th Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1996)

Utah Trail Guidebooks, Trail Maps, and Trail Videos

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