Hells Revenge 4x4 Trail, Moab, UT

Hiking in Utah

Nearby Guides

Content
provided by

Viewed 6082 times

(0 votes)

Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 8.4 miles / 13.5 km
Duration: Half day

Family Friendly • Dog Friendly

Download to Phone

View Large Map

View Photos

Overview: As beautiful as it is challenging. High vantage point offers great views of the La Sal Mountains, Negro Bill Canyon, Abyss Canyon and the Colorado River. The Slickrock Bike Trail crosses several times; use extra caution at these well-marked intersections. Never drive on the bike trail, marked with painted white dashes. The Search & Rescue route is marked with white dots and is for emergencies only. Stay on marked trail at all times. ATVs stay on 4WD trail. A special thanks to Dan Mick, Moab’s premier professional guide, for taking us around the trail and spotting us on the Escalator. Dan was tremendously entertaining and very knowledgeable (If you need a guide, call him at 435-259-4567). For information on Sand Flat Recreation Area, in which this trail is located, contact the Sand Flats Recreation Area at (435) 259-2444.

Rating:

Difficult. Dangerously steep climbs and descents over sandstone domes and ledges. Low gearing, good articulation, high approach and departure angles necessary. Lockers recommended. Not for stock vehicles or novice drivers. Trail is well marked with black tire marks, yellow flame symbols and brown sign posts, but it is still confusing in spots even with a tracklog. Hot in summer.

This trail is one of 55 trails from the book, Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, 2nd Edition, by Charles Wells, and is available at www.funtreks.com.

Tips: This is a trip you’ll talk about for years. It is impossible to put into words how much fun it is. When in doubt, always take the conservative option to avoid spoiling a great day. Vehicle damage and/or injury can happen in a split second. There’s a reason “Search and Rescue” has its own exit routes.

Trail conditions can change without notice. FunTreks, Inc. and its owner and employees are not responsible for injury, death, or vehicle damage as a result of using this guide. The content of this guide is the property of FunTreks, Inc. and is made available to the user pursuant to EveryTrail’s Terms of Service (http://www.everytrail.com/tos.php)

Points of Interest

map

Entrance to Hells Revenge

Just after going through toll booth the Sand Flats Recreation Area, turn into parking lot on left. Trail starts up steep rock wall with heavy black tire marks.

First fin drops to Michigan Lake Michigan Photo

map

Lake Michigan

Trail comes down off fin to low point in narrow canyon. Early in the spring, this spot may be filled with water too deep to get through. They call this spot Lake Michigan (we don't know why that name). If Hells Revenge is closed, it is usually due to too much water at this spot.

map

View of Lions Back

Bear left after passing through an opening in a fence and follow trail across high ridge. Off to the left is famous Lions Back, now permanently closed. If you look around carefully, you'll also find real dinosaur tracks in the rocks under your feet. As you continue you'll drop downhill. First road on left is Search and Rescue Road not to be used by general public unless an emergency. Stay right and continue a bit farther.

map

The Fun Begins

Bear left uphill on a narrow, steep fin. The spectacular part of the trip begins here.

map

Steep descent

After going up and down gigantic fins, trail turns very steeply downhill to the right and passes through area with view of Abyss Canyon to the right.

map

Side Trip

Trail continues straight, but to the right, you'll find a large challenging ledge to practice driving up. At one time, this was an exit point to an alternative way to drive the trail.

map

Stay Right

After crossing Slickrock Bike Trail, continue north. Turn right here to reach dramatic view of Colorado River. You'll also find optional Hells Gate, a dangerous and popular side loop.

map

View of Colorado River

You can follow tracks up the steep slickrock at the end of the trail for incredible views of the Colorado River far below. High cliffs, watch kids and pets. You'll also see the entrance to Hells Gate to the west. It's a short, but extremely tricky loop that people like to go down and up. A slight misplacement of a tire can flip your vehicle on its side. Return to Point #7 and continue right on Hells Revenge.

Dan Mick, the guy to call if you need a guide Photo

map

Black Hole

Follow tracklog through a complex area and climb to a point above a shadowed wall you can see in the distance, called the Black Hole. Trail crosses along the top edge for a thrilling look down.

Trai runs along edge of Black Hole Photo

map

Hot Tubs

Trail winds through an area of giant pot holes that the BLM allows vehicles to drive through. The most famous one is called "Mickey's Hot Tub," It's straight down and straight up, but many people attempt it. Most need a strap to get out. This is immediately followed by an incredibly steep descent down the Dragon's Tail. Make sure you line yourself between white marks at the top, or you'll roll sideways off the edge.

Dan Mick above his namesake, Mickey's Hot Tub Photo

map

The Escalator

You'll wind through a mix of sand and slickrock and begin to climb again. A narrow, steep crevice on the right is the "Escalator." You'll need an excellent spotter if you attempt this extreme obstacle. You can flip upside down in a split second if a tire slips off the wall. It circles around and rejoins the trail at a point you just passed.

map

Tip-Over Challenge

A steep rock wall on the left is called Tip-Over Challenge. Its name is well deserved. You can bypass the spot to the right and circle back to trail above Tip-Over Challenge. Once you get up above the obstacle, you can turn left on shortcut up steep hill, or continue northwest and circle back up an obstacle called "Rubble Trouble." We took the shortcut.

map

Exit Point of Trail

After you get over the ridge after Tip-Over Challenge, you'll head southeast downhill behind Lions Back. Follow markers and tracklog carefully as trail gets very confusing. Markers on the trail through this area have changed several times, so if our tracklog conflicts with trail markers, follow the official marked route. You drop down through a sandy area along a fence where trail ends at a large parking area along Sand Flats Road. You cannot enter the trail here. This section is one-way downhill only.

Last part of trail is very confusing Photo

Pictures in this guide taken by: FunTreks, FunTreks, Inc.

How does this work?