Behind the Rocks Trail

by The Flatlander for

Please visit our Sponsor, CLICK on the Banner above

Summary: The 4+ rated Behind the Rocks trail offers extremes in 4-Wheeling from two track level road to 4+ obstacles that most drivers with good sense would avoid. Views of the very rugged Behind the Rocks weather sculpted sandstone are impressive along the way. Running it backwards compounds the difficulty of the key obstacles. Breakdowns are to be expected and roll-overs are not uncommon.

Location: A County Road leaves Highway 191 about 13 miles south of Moab just after climbing a long hill on the highway. The exit is on the right going to the west. Follow the County Road above Kane Creek Canyon to near the top of the Pritchett Canyon Trail. Then turn up Hunter Canyon and the fun begins.

Scenery: The scenery includes the unique weathered sandstone fins and domes just behind the rock cliff that faces Moab. There are several opportunities to pier down into Kane Creek Canyon which bounds the area on the southwest. The trip in through Hunter Canyon is particularly scenic.

The Trail: The Behind the Rocks trail is very difficult. Broken drive trains are not uncommon for those that attempt the 4+ obstacles on this trail. The climb back up White knuckle Hill cannot be bypassed and carries a significant risk of a roll over. Running the trail backwards brings one up the rugged and steep "Nose-Dive" Hill.

4X4NOW Same Day
Jeep Safari Trail Report
Saturday, April 4, 1998

Photos by Sharon

Jack Nielson led a large group of 51 4WDs out the first Saturday of the 32nd Annual Jeep Safari.  The snow covered Las Sals graced the background as the group wound its way toward the first obstacle.  You may barely be able to make out our column toward the right center of the picture.

Aired down and in 4WD (or so I thought) I was anxious try 4X4NOW TJ on its first serious trail.  But this was not to be a good day for the 4X4NOW TJ.  I was puzzled as I was forced to reach for the ARB buttons on a very minor obstacle.   The back one alone didn't seem to help but the front one got me up.  When I was stopped again by the next minor obstacle a call on the radio informed me that only my front axle was turning.  I hadn't fully engaged 4WD Low on the Atlas II transfer case.  I pushed on down to the floor and tried the obstacle again with no lockers and climbed it easily.  What a difference rear wheel drive makes!  But I would be using front wheel drive extensively before the day was over.

Before we reached Nose Dive we had already lost two 4WDs with mechanical problems.  Jack lead us down the left center of Nose Dive.  Jack and his gunners helped ground guide participants - a valuable service as you can't see very much over your hood on this steep rocky grade.   One by one our group slowly worked their way down and then faced UpChuck.   Most of our group at least gave it a good try before taking the bypass.  Few even needed it - our group had well built 4WDs and good drivers.  One Classic Bronco did provide some excitement though as he aggressively pushed a more difficult line.  With both tires in the air and engine roaring he quickly moved back the spectators.  See a Quick Time video clip of this exciting UpChuck attack.

I was up on the 3rd try with the 4X4NOW TJ.  The line I had used successfully in the past didn't prove to be correct this time.  I backed down and tried a little to the right.  My right tire climbed up to an alarming angle so I tried it to the left.   With a little slipping that worked - but definitely not elegant.

We had lunch while waiting for everyone to get through these two obstacles.  Those at the end of the group had lunch prior to doing negotiating the obstacles.  It takes a long time to work nearly 50 vehicles through.

Next is the Dome.   It is reported to be the steepest slickrock climb in Moab.  If you go too slow you don't have enough momentum to get to the top.  If you go to fast you will bounce and end up with the front tires in the air as seen in the picture on the right.  I was surprised not to make it on the first attempt.  Something didn't seem right.  But I backed down and tried again and just got on it harder.   That left me with tires spinning about half way up again.  Still something didn't seem right.  My rear ARB was kicked in but it sure didn't seem like I had much rear wheel traction.  So I gave it a 3rd try getting on it even more.  About half way up there was a loud pop and my forward progress was stopped.  I just hoped it wasn't an axle.  It wasn't.  A u-joint in the rear drive shaft had failed.   I took a small piece out of the yoke too and left two broken off bolts in the yoke threads.  So I was done for the day.  I removed the drive shaft and drove out in front wheel drive.  As we hit the County Road, I reached down to switch off the ARB Air Compressor and realized that it wasn't on.  I had tried to do the Dome, in effect, with open axles.  That explained what didn't seem right.

We headed for Moab Off Road as soon as we got to town.  They got it right in and for little more than it would have cost me for a new u-joint at a parts store they had it fixed and back together.

I was disappointed.  I had hoped to take the 4X4NOW TJ back up White Knuckle Hill at the end of the trail.  But that will have to wait for another time.  You can see videos of 4X4s climbing White Knuckle in the 1997 coverage below and coming down White Knuckle in the 1996 coverage below.

1997 Behind The Rocks Report
1996 Behind The Rocks 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

4X4NOW Feature Page
4X4NOW Trail Reports | Moab 4WD Trails
4X4NOW "How-To"  | 4X4NOW Buildups
4X4BOOKS | MAPNOW

get Garmin at GPSNOW - Order by 5pm and have it Tomorrow!
Choosing | for Laptop/Pocket PC | Basic | Handheld Mapping | 2-way Radio | Automotive | Motorcycle | RV/Truck/Bus | Land & Water
Accessories
eTrex H | Legend | Vista | Venture HC | Summit HC | Legend HCx | Vista HCx
GPS 18 DLX | 60
Mobile 10 | Mobile 10 for smartphones
GPSMAP 60 | 60Cx | 60CSx | 76S | 76Cx | 76CSx | 276C | 376C | 378 | 478
MapSource City Navigator North America | US Topo | BlueChart
nüvi 200 | 270 | 350 | 360 | 370 | 650 | 660 | 670 | 680
Quest | Quest 2
Rino 110 | 120 | 130 | 520 | 530 | 520HCx | 530HCx
StreetPilot 2820 | 7200/7500 | c330 | c340 | c530 | c550 | c580
Astro GPS dog tracking system
zūmo 450 / 550
© 4X4NOW