UT- Lockhart Basin/Hurrah Pass/Chicken Corners

How about taking a “shortcut” from Moab to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park? Lockhart Basin Backcountry Byway is the roughest of all of them in the state of Utah. It will trim 15 miles off of the trip and take you through the middle benches of a uninhabited, desiccated landscape. While you will be cutting miles off the trip, expect it to take 5 times longer. Ideally you would camp somewhere in the middle of the trek. The side trip to Lockhart Canyon will take you down to the Colorado River but thickets of tamarisk along the banks will thwart attempts at getting your feet wet. Be aware that the north end of the trail has a rocky canyon to negotiate, the south end crosses flood-prone Indian Creek. Prepare yourself and your vehicle for these challenges, otherwise you may have to turn around and go back the way you came.

The .gpx file contains tracks for Lockhart Basin, Chicken Corners and Hurrah Pass (thanks to Mike Rollins for the contribution!) and waypoints that correspond to the ones in Charles Wells' Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, Second Edition and are labeled as follows:

• 24## - Hurrah Pass
• 48## - Chicken Corners
• 49## - Lockhart Basin
• 50## - Lockhart Canyon

Here’s a map showing the tracks and waypoints, click on it for the full size version.


Some Lockhart Basin scenery