JackBurns
Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2013
- Messages
- 132
Ever since I ventured into the fringes of Beef Basin I have been itching to get back. I have to ask for vacations at the first of the year. So I picked the first week of May when my two sons would be out of school. 5 days. A friend ventured into the same area two weeks before and said that the road over the top had some puddles but was passable.
The weather report showed storms that were moving out and sunshine for the week.
We started out early my brother in his Cherokee and me in my Rubicon. We both were towing old military jeep trailers with extra gas, food, and water. Everyone has their preferred method of exploring. I love my trailer because it will follow my jeep almost anywhere. Then I can set up camp and take just the jeep to explore traveling light.![20160501_091129.jpg 20160501_091129.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43560-289ba3fedfa86fae24b915f7f1b74237.jpg)
We arrived at the Beef Basin turn off by the dugout ranch just after noon. A group of jeeps had just crossed the river and were attending to a jeep that swallowed some water. They had just come over from Beef Basin. (They went in over Elephant Hill the day before.) They were muddy but said it was still doable.
![20160501_133007.jpg 20160501_133007.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43516-cfc56d1328f972b7681f96dc2f0462c1.jpg)
Before we rounded Bridger Jack Mesa it started rain pretty good. As we passed the trail head for Salt Creek we were in the clouds.
![20160501_144229.jpg 20160501_144229.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43517-4c5f287d1444e9e8f62093747c0a6ba7.jpg)
About a mile from the pass where we would have started down I hit an uphill right hand turn that was impassable. The mud stuck to everything and totally clogged my tires. I felt like a piece of butter on a warm griddle. The mud was strange. It was about four inches deep then the ground was firm under it. Like thick chocolate cream frosting. But it was so sticky that it would not clear from the tires and they just balled up.
![20160501_152826.jpg 20160501_152826.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43518-ff2ac65f7f3b1b83a7ec88df3a98ede5.jpg)
![20160501_154355.jpg 20160501_154355.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43525-3f9fa850fc1d4e57ddf059e552b64e50.jpg)
Luckily the road sloped towards the hill instead of off the cliff.
![20160501_154404.jpg 20160501_154404.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43528-0428a5b08062cc280e2b77572c2ee6d5.jpg)
We were able to unhook the trailers and then get everything turned around and drove down the mountain until we found a place to camp. Our idea was to wait until the morning and try again.
Had Mr. Eubank told me that the "few lingering scattered showers" would have been directly over the road that I intended to take I might have changed my plans. As soon as we got the tents up it started to sleet. Then hail. All told about a half an inch of slush covered everything. DAA had warned me "That access might still be a bit dicey in May."
The next morning things were looking up. Skies were clearing and the sun was poking through now and then. We chased the road to the point overlooking salt creek. When we turned back towards camp the mountains were boiling with clouds and rain was falling right where we needed to go.
Thus our trip into beef basin ended and another started.
![20160502_172032.jpg 20160502_172032.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43526-189eef4d69640214d855c2e7c108d805.jpg)
Hamburger rock camp site was full. $10 for a picnic table and fire pit. We drove on and found a very nice spot close to the road but away from everyone else.
There are so many roads around needles that I have wanted to chase. Now was my chance.
Hearts draw. I have always wondered what hearts draw looked like.
![20160503_163135.jpg 20160503_163135.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43531-2a4f2b9752a344745fcdb1594baff3a3.jpg)
The weather turned fantastic and Harts draw was beautiful. We hiked a side canyon that has a spring. To our surprise we found zero evidence of early inhabitance. All we found were two old roads and cow pies.
![IMG_0045.JPG IMG_0045.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43539-75bb267edef443b63b1e91a65c2c16d1.jpg)
![IMG_0025.JPG IMG_0025.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43537-0e7ccfc82ba9494dfdb8bf92d3ac7471.jpg)
Indian creek was flowing.
![20160503_182158.jpg 20160503_182158.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43535-ad0b7fd9e72f5c560ae41e64cabf3251.jpg)
I wanted to explore Horse canyon but it was still closed. I don’t know if it has been open in the last two years.
So the next day we got a permit and drove up Lavender canyon. What a beautiful canyon.
![IMG_0057.JPG IMG_0057.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43542-25daf47e3387e6d65d5112c56b36228d.jpg)
Things were green and flowers were in bloom.
![20160504_123145.jpg 20160504_123145.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43536-2e9b75cecae2f79894b460d0ecd7afc1.jpg)
![IMG_0129.JPG IMG_0129.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43545-bb1496a4d37c43ccb49ff3757c0d7143.jpg)
The day before we had to head home we drove the road through Lockhart Basin to Moab.
![IMG_0140.JPG IMG_0140.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43547-ad192ed27ef5cea6626987b8694e72fa.jpg)
Again the country was incredible. So many flowers were in bloom. We drove down Lockhart canyon to the Colorado River and the Globemallow were blooming everywhere.
![IMG_0141.JPG IMG_0141.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43548-c3ecee95d8a12991d6ba44c147092cc8.jpg)
![IMG_0158.JPG IMG_0158.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43550-6e160c574286d5afd431f64b60c043ca.jpg)
The first half of the road was fine and you can make good time. After we examined an old plane wreck the road got much slower and quite a bit rougher.
![IMG_0154.JPG IMG_0154.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43552-05afaf0190437931eb9a0aa21a49fc65.jpg)
The last bit down to the turn off to chicken corners was in bad shape.
![IMG_0205.JPG IMG_0205.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43554-d73a29958b6fecd39bdb1a25f817bd78.jpg)
![IMG_0185.JPG IMG_0185.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43559-89fc0c13a0b4c32c08213a1cf6251db2.jpg)
Although we did not get into where we wanted the trip turned out fantastic.
The weather report showed storms that were moving out and sunshine for the week.
We started out early my brother in his Cherokee and me in my Rubicon. We both were towing old military jeep trailers with extra gas, food, and water. Everyone has their preferred method of exploring. I love my trailer because it will follow my jeep almost anywhere. Then I can set up camp and take just the jeep to explore traveling light.
![20160501_091129.jpg 20160501_091129.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43560-289ba3fedfa86fae24b915f7f1b74237.jpg)
We arrived at the Beef Basin turn off by the dugout ranch just after noon. A group of jeeps had just crossed the river and were attending to a jeep that swallowed some water. They had just come over from Beef Basin. (They went in over Elephant Hill the day before.) They were muddy but said it was still doable.
![20160501_133007.jpg 20160501_133007.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43516-cfc56d1328f972b7681f96dc2f0462c1.jpg)
Before we rounded Bridger Jack Mesa it started rain pretty good. As we passed the trail head for Salt Creek we were in the clouds.
![20160501_144229.jpg 20160501_144229.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43517-4c5f287d1444e9e8f62093747c0a6ba7.jpg)
About a mile from the pass where we would have started down I hit an uphill right hand turn that was impassable. The mud stuck to everything and totally clogged my tires. I felt like a piece of butter on a warm griddle. The mud was strange. It was about four inches deep then the ground was firm under it. Like thick chocolate cream frosting. But it was so sticky that it would not clear from the tires and they just balled up.
![20160501_152826.jpg 20160501_152826.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43518-ff2ac65f7f3b1b83a7ec88df3a98ede5.jpg)
![20160501_154349.jpg 20160501_154349.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43523-70b2a276972227045fc854b595b33eb8.jpg)
![20160501_154355.jpg 20160501_154355.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43525-3f9fa850fc1d4e57ddf059e552b64e50.jpg)
Luckily the road sloped towards the hill instead of off the cliff.
![20160501_154404.jpg 20160501_154404.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43528-0428a5b08062cc280e2b77572c2ee6d5.jpg)
We were able to unhook the trailers and then get everything turned around and drove down the mountain until we found a place to camp. Our idea was to wait until the morning and try again.
Had Mr. Eubank told me that the "few lingering scattered showers" would have been directly over the road that I intended to take I might have changed my plans. As soon as we got the tents up it started to sleet. Then hail. All told about a half an inch of slush covered everything. DAA had warned me "That access might still be a bit dicey in May."
The next morning things were looking up. Skies were clearing and the sun was poking through now and then. We chased the road to the point overlooking salt creek. When we turned back towards camp the mountains were boiling with clouds and rain was falling right where we needed to go.
Thus our trip into beef basin ended and another started.
![20160502_172032.jpg 20160502_172032.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43526-189eef4d69640214d855c2e7c108d805.jpg)
Hamburger rock camp site was full. $10 for a picnic table and fire pit. We drove on and found a very nice spot close to the road but away from everyone else.
There are so many roads around needles that I have wanted to chase. Now was my chance.
Hearts draw. I have always wondered what hearts draw looked like.
![20160503_162902.jpg 20160503_162902.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43527-fd9b665fbdb1b166299152e1270b1eb9.jpg)
![20160503_162907.jpg 20160503_162907.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43533-cac3c6bbfe169284fb7291f4c60e9d5a.jpg)
![20160503_163135.jpg 20160503_163135.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43531-2a4f2b9752a344745fcdb1594baff3a3.jpg)
The weather turned fantastic and Harts draw was beautiful. We hiked a side canyon that has a spring. To our surprise we found zero evidence of early inhabitance. All we found were two old roads and cow pies.
![IMG_0029.JPG IMG_0029.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43538-b76400c0b153cb63a641a54876a7a3d9.jpg)
![IMG_0045.JPG IMG_0045.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43539-75bb267edef443b63b1e91a65c2c16d1.jpg)
![IMG_0025.JPG IMG_0025.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43537-0e7ccfc82ba9494dfdb8bf92d3ac7471.jpg)
![20160503_160009.jpg 20160503_160009.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43529-037093048c5b6f8d1be099c294bda9c1.jpg)
![20160503_160958.jpg 20160503_160958.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43530-c008f0b3b1bfbe12067c0312c468a1d0.jpg)
![20160503_182129.jpg 20160503_182129.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43534-7f761c05275d6604ef83007ffadeabdf.jpg)
![20160503_182158.jpg 20160503_182158.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43535-ad0b7fd9e72f5c560ae41e64cabf3251.jpg)
I wanted to explore Horse canyon but it was still closed. I don’t know if it has been open in the last two years.
So the next day we got a permit and drove up Lavender canyon. What a beautiful canyon.
![IMG_0056.JPG IMG_0056.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43541-8a821bfc7cb3b974d351cb8d67b83084.jpg)
![IMG_0057.JPG IMG_0057.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43542-25daf47e3387e6d65d5112c56b36228d.jpg)
Things were green and flowers were in bloom.
![20160504_123145.jpg 20160504_123145.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43536-2e9b75cecae2f79894b460d0ecd7afc1.jpg)
![IMG_0077.JPG IMG_0077.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43543-3151943dd455c5cd029b41c19a0f08c0.jpg)
![IMG_0107.JPG IMG_0107.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43544-cea679d0982462058bed57a5363269e9.jpg)
![IMG_0129.JPG IMG_0129.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43545-bb1496a4d37c43ccb49ff3757c0d7143.jpg)
The day before we had to head home we drove the road through Lockhart Basin to Moab.
![IMG_0168.JPG IMG_0168.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43555-a7d6ae8440f924d662fb06aada5186c3.jpg)
![IMG_0134.JPG IMG_0134.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43546-6e94086ded97816751fbae7fac047220.jpg)
![IMG_0140.JPG IMG_0140.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43547-ad192ed27ef5cea6626987b8694e72fa.jpg)
Again the country was incredible. So many flowers were in bloom. We drove down Lockhart canyon to the Colorado River and the Globemallow were blooming everywhere.
![IMG_0141.JPG IMG_0141.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43548-c3ecee95d8a12991d6ba44c147092cc8.jpg)
![IMG_0147.JPG IMG_0147.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43549-a43a94504373a25b5d79e4f354f0ab25.jpg)
![IMG_0158.JPG IMG_0158.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43550-6e160c574286d5afd431f64b60c043ca.jpg)
The first half of the road was fine and you can make good time. After we examined an old plane wreck the road got much slower and quite a bit rougher.
![IMG_0166.JPG IMG_0166.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43551-26ff9800450c8ca0e36bd7889de4ee48.jpg)
![IMG_0154.JPG IMG_0154.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43552-05afaf0190437931eb9a0aa21a49fc65.jpg)
![IMG_0180.JPG IMG_0180.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43557-0e91eba2d9405d491ba58074df8f8abf.jpg)
The last bit down to the turn off to chicken corners was in bad shape.
![IMG_0205.JPG IMG_0205.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43554-d73a29958b6fecd39bdb1a25f817bd78.jpg)
![IMG_0200.JPG IMG_0200.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43553-9741d78c66d8cdbb8bbfdc85604dd45b.jpg)
![IMG_0174.JPG IMG_0174.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43556-54517754f01cd12ed5df81bc20df3da8.jpg)
![IMG_0183.JPG IMG_0183.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43558-8fc858eaef1ff95ef3b27c4cee5486de.jpg)
![IMG_0185.JPG IMG_0185.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/43/43559-89fc0c13a0b4c32c08213a1cf6251db2.jpg)
Although we did not get into where we wanted the trip turned out fantastic.