Hole-in-the-Rock Road

WillisBodillus

WillisBodillus

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Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
65
I am planning on hiking a Peek-a-boo Gulch and a few others this weekend, and I wanted to know if you really needed 4WD for Hole-in-the-Rock Road. I'd rather have good MPG while driving down, but I don't want to bang up my commuter too bad. Any thoughts? I've never been down this road.
 
Sounds hot! If it's dry and there isn't any road damage, you can get a regular car down that far. Usually the mandatory 4WD part starts around the 50-mile mark as you get close to the head of Davis Gulch. Check with the BLM office in Escalante and they can tell you what kind of condition the road is in right now. Be careful this time of year though. Monsoons are kicking up which are not only an issue for exploring those slots, but getting back out on that road too. If it gets wet, you're hosed.
 
Hmm, well then. I may have to change my plans. There is a 30% chance for this weekend. Thanks for the info.
 
what car is your commuter? peekaboo and spooky are two of my favorite slots.
 
The final mile of the Dry Fork turn off to the Peekaboo/Spooky trailhead might be a bit much for a low clearance vehicle? It was pretty bumpy & uneven when I was there a month ago...
 
I've never hiking in that area. Peekaboo/Spooky look so awesome and I cannot wait to hike them, but I guess I need to plan a little better. My commuter is a Scion Xb, 1st gen.

What time of the year is best for these canyons?
 
WillisBodillus said:
I am planning on hiking a Peek-a-boo Gulch and a few others this weekend, and I wanted to know if you really needed 4WD for Hole-in-the-Rock Road. I'd rather have good MPG while driving down, but I don't want to bang up my commuter too bad. Any thoughts? I've never been down this road.
Click to expand...
I went last year and drove my Chevy Malibu to save some money on gas. If the roads are dry and no rain is forecast go for it. I even took my car as far as the water tanks off 40 mile ridge road to get into the gulch. It felt kinda weird to be parking my Malibu next to big trucks, jeeps and other SUVs. I don't recommend taking your car that far. I know I wouldn't go that far up the road in my commuter car again.:disagree:
 
Escalante area with monsoons kicking in? sounds fun...be smart and safe...you will have a blast. great pics too...I would drive my 4x4 just in case...another area to check out if you are going through Hwy 12 is Bull Valley Gorge and Willis Creek Slot.
 
Yeah, it would be wise for me not to go. If you can't tell I am a newbie. If the weather is good I'll go with a 4x4, but they are getting some good rain right now.

Steve, love the videos. Looks so awesome.

Tater Head, that reminds of that video of that crown vic in Moab. I wish there was a way to gear a scion xb for this stuff.
 
WillisBodillus said:
I am planning on hiking a Peek-a-boo Gulch and a few others this weekend, and I wanted to know if you really needed 4WD for Hole-in-the-Rock Road. I'd rather have good MPG while driving down, but I don't want to bang up my commuter too bad. Any thoughts? I've never been down this road.
Click to expand...

I drove it in (mostly) dry conditions a few times and 4WD wasn't necessary, but high clearance definitely was.
 
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