Canyonlands Maze 2008 – Day 6
Ruin Park and Bobbies hole
Day 6 takes us into the Needles District of Canyonlands from the backside. The day was long filled with an extended drive through the high country of the Blue Mountains.
Leaving Natural Bridges we climbed up to the Bears Ears. The Bears ears are a district landmark with the round going right between them. Once through the Bears Ears the road traverse around the west side of the mountain with a spectacular view.
If you have time in this area there is a great jeep trail up Arch Canyon that allows you to see multiple small cliff dwellings.
Descending out of the mountains we entered Beef Basin and Ruin Park. Ruin Park has multiple surface ruins that are worth taking the time to see.
The ranger said that Bobby’s Hole was a little ruff. There had been some hard rains this last August that had washed a lot of the dirt off. The road into the Needles from here also had a number of wash outs. Last spring the roads had been in much better condition.
Silver Stairs to Elephant Hill
Once at the bottom of Bobby’s hole it is only a few miles before we entered Canyonlands again.
After Bobby’s Hole, the Silver Stairs mark the start of the slower rock crawling out of Needles. The park service has filled in some of the ledges so they are not quite as steep.
I was concerned about the trailer and this switchback. I thought I might have to backup the last section which is how the road is designed. However, I was able to make the turn by making it a 4 point turn. The trailer again was no problem.
I think it was in this section that one of my rear shocks broke. I did not have Atrac on so I lost traction here and had to restart with the rear locker on.
After this section I stopped and notice the fluid on the ground under the FJ. Initially I thought a wheel seal had gone so I check the rear dif and the fluid was fine. The weld at the bottom of the shock broke and all the fluid had leaked out.
This is were the Off-Road expedition ended. We had spent over 200 miles on dirt and 4wd roads and the FJs did a great job. We had intended to camp before entering Canyonlands after Bobby’s Hole but the camp site I wanted was already taken so we finished the drive. From here we went to Indian Creek to find a camp site on the BLM land