Wipe Out Hill Trail

by The Flatlander for

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Summary: The 4 rated Wipe Out Hill Trail features a wide range of fabulous scenery and a selection of very challenging obstacles at Wipe Out Hill itself. It is a short trail and often leaves time for a trip to Gemini Bridges.

Location: The trail head is about 14 miles north of Moab on Highway 191 (about 4 miles north of the intersection with highway 313) near mile marker 141. It runs westerly for a ways off Highway 191 and then back south until joining Highway 313.

Scenery: The scenery is superb and includes the famous Determination Towers and the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes.

The Trail: The trail turns into Bartlett Wash soon after leaving Highway 191. It then turns up Tusher Canyon. The first part of the trail is on the dry sand wash bottoms with some sand hills that can be challenging when dry. The upper end of Tusher Wash reveals more and more scenic and rugged views. It's not long until Determination Towers show up in the distance. Once past Determination Towers views of the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes grace the vista while approaching Wipe Out Hill. The trip down Wipe Out Hill should be approached with care and gives the trail its 4 rating. Both optional routes back up are rated 4+. A few miles after Wipe Out Hill the trail exits onto Highway 313.

4X4NOW Same Day
Jeep Safari Trail Report
Wednesday, March 26, 1997

Kane Creek was too high to allow the Cliff Hanger run this year. So the Trail Ridge Runners 4WD Club from Colorado took us out on Wipe Out Hill instead.

The trail starts out in sandy wash bottoms and a sandy ridge as it climbs its way toward more interesting terrain.

Some sandstone begins to show up along the sides in Tusher Wash. The bottom has a little moisture in it.

Shortly after passing Determination Towers, Wipe Out Hill appears. There is no bypass. Most groups spend a good bit of time here going down and then allowing those who dare to go back up and down again over the main and optional routes.

The first big ledge is the worst. From the driver's seat it looks like you are driving off the edge of the earth. A good ground guide is most reassuring. See a Quick Time Video Clip of a Jeep coming down.

The trip back up is optional and much more challenging.

This black YJ was the only one to go both up and down the steeper alternate route. This with only a lift, 32s, and a limited slip in the back. And a 4 cylinder under the hood. See a Quick Time Video Clip of the trip up.

A trip up Rattle Snake Hill completes the trail on the way over to Hwy 313. Wipe Out Hill is a short trail leaving time in the afternoon for relaxation or more four-wheeling.

1996 Wipe Out Hill Report

34th Annual Easter Jeep Safari (2000)
33rd Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1999)
32nd Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1998)
31st Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1997)
30th Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1996)
Moab, Utah, 4WD Trails Map with Links to all 30 Trails
Trail Difficulty Ratings

Utah Trail Guidebooks, Trail Maps, and Trail Videos

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