Wilsons Sandbox

At 06:11 PM 5/12/00 -0700, billmonahan wrote:

>I was thinking about doing this road, the Burr Trail, on my way into Moab. >Anybody done it, that can offer up any tips or knowledge of it? BTW, it >doesn't look challenging, just interesting.

Hi Bill, Just went thru the Burr Trail last week with a group of nine. The Burr is mostly paved now but be warned that it is prone to flooding if it's raining. The best direction is West to East. With the exception of the switchbacks at the east end of the pavement everything is well graded gravel roads. If you have time I might suggest an alternative to 191 from Blanding to Moab. From Highway 95 head north on FSR 088 with will take you up into the mountains and hook up with FSR 092 which heads east toward Blanding. FSR 088 intersects with Highway 95 just east of Highway 276. From here you can take the high road or the low road north up to Highway 211. For the high road, the only marking I found at the south end is a sign that points to the Gooseberry Guard station. The southern section of this road is not on any map that I've seen but it is a very good dirt/gravel road that meanders around some mountain peaks and offers fantastic forest and canyon scenery. I believe the roads were created for logging purposes. Follow the Goosberry signs and continue past the turnoff to the Gooseberry Guard station. The road will turn into Beef Basin Road which is identified on most maps as a dead end at the east end. This road will come out on Highway 211. For the low road, continue east on FS 092 until you cross a cross a creek after descending down the mountain. You will intersect with S. Cottonwood road shortly after the creek crossing. Turn left or North and this will take you up and over some mountains and eventually intersect with Beef Basin Rd. Both roads are easy riding but very scenic. The high road is cooler by far because of the elevation. At Highway 211 you can turn right and head for Highway 191 which will take you to Moab. Be sure and stop at Newpaper Rock if you haven't seen it. An alternative is to head northwest on Highway 211 and pick up Lockhart Basin Rd and take it into Moab. This will be more technical riding but is fun. Be aware that at the very north end of Lockhart Basin Rd just before it intersects with Kane Creek Rd there is a narrow canyon you have to go through that has recently become much more difficult due to erosion and rock slides. I wouldn't recommend this road solo right now. Good luck. JR