Canyonlands Overnighter with Beef Basin/Elephant Hill

Ok, who's interested in an overnight camping trip to Canyonlands with trail runs over Elephant Hill, Bobby's Hole, and Beef Basin?

For those of you who have never been there, I've done Elephant Hill when my FJ was stock (except for aftermarket skids) and had no problems. Beef Basin is a long but easy trail over ordinary dirt roads where you will only need 4 wheel drive if it is muddy. Beef Basin has a lot of prehistoric ruins which are fun to explore. Seriously, you could spend an entire weekend in Beef Basin if you wanted... I've wanted to connect the two trails via Bobby's Hole for a couple of years now and simply never got around to it.

Brad mentioned in another thread that the Needles Campground has awesome group sites. The group sites require a reservation. Individual sites are first come first serve.

Dates are usually a sticking point for these things. Here are 4 possible weekends within the next two months: 27 - 29 April (the weekend prior to CM), 11 - 13 May, 25 - 28 May (Memorial Day weekend), and 8 - 10 June. These dates are not firm in any way, just ideas. If these days don't work and you want to join us, throw out some dates that work for you.

Who's in?

Hi Big Ern,

I might be interested. Since I am going to CM, the later dates would work better for me. Possibly memorial day although it might be a bit crowded, and possibly the June dates (more likely). I am determined to get out this year as much as possible.

Hope to see you again soon.

Well I'm down! The only dates that won't work for me are Memorial day. I HAVE to watch Indy.

No problem Brad. I kind of figured many folks would have family plans for a long weekend like that. Maybe the first or second weekend in June would be best. Hopefully a few more will chime in.

Sounds like fun. Right now June sounds like a good time for me too.

Later in May or June for me. I'll keep watching for dates to firm up.

Are we doing the Ghost Rail run again???????

If I go it would be in June.

It looks like June is the best time. What do you all think of the weekend of 8 June?

We could do any weekend in June. Does anybody want to throw out a date?

I believe that I could do the weekend of June 8th or 15th at this point.

Thanks Moose! The weekend of the 8th would work best for me, but I could go any weekend in June.

Sounds like a fun trek, how would a stock 100 with aggressive tires fare? I've already got that weekend off but have a feeling I'll have more passengers than the FJ can hold so the 100 is my next option.

My FJ was stock, except for skids, the last time I ran it. Careful tire placement and spotting and you should do fine.

Just trying to make sure this thread isn't forgotten... Here are a few pics from the last time I've done Elephant Hill. This was during Cruise Moab 2010.








Does anyone want to commit to the weekend of 8 June yet? It's gonna be a great time!

Hey Big Ern,

I can give a tentative yes to the weekend of the 8/9/10 of June. Unless something unforeseen happens that should work for me and my boy who will bring his 80 series down. I hear rumors that Cruiser Fest this year is putting together multi-day run from Moab to Tooele heading up to CF. This will be the weekend of the 23rd. I hope to attend this but if the stars align I can do both.

Elephant Hill is one of my most favorite trails in Moab.

As of right now the weekend of the 8th looks good for me!

June!

I'm heading down on Friday, June 8. I'll probably set up camp at the Needles camp ground. We could spend Saturday running Elephant Hill, Bobbies Hole, and Beef Basin, and then pack up and head back North on Sunday. I'd suggest extra fuel for anyone planning on attending.

Hope to see you all there!

So needles it is. I'll look for ya Friday the 8th then.

So is anyone else going to try to make this trip? I was hoping to do this and the Ghost rail trail if either of them pan out? I haven't been out since October and I am itchin' to get out!

I can't make this trip this weekend. Some things have come up that I've gotta take care of. I hope that any who still plan on making this have a good run. I'll catch the next one.