Official Grand Staircase Road Report

[dieselcruiserhead]

Cottonwood Road Repairs Underway

Kane County road crews began repair work this week on Cottonwood Road, a major transportation artery through the Bureau of Land Management’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) used by thousands of tourists and local residents each year. Cottonwood Road runs for approximately 42 miles from Highway 89 in the south to Highway 12 in the north. Kane County closed the road several months ago due to damage from winter storms.

The 800-foot damaged section of the road is located mid-way between Hwy 89 and Cannonville and according to Richard Madril, Resources Chief for GSENM, was caused when water diverted from an adjacent riparian area onto the road bed.

“Essentially, you have a healthy riparian area filled with Cottonwoods and willows that captured and slowed the runoff, collecting silt and eventually filling in until the riparian area actually became higher than the road…and water flows from a high point to a lower point – the road,” said Madril.

Kane County officials and local GSENM managers and staff, including engineers from BLM’s Richfield and Salt Lake State Offices, met several times both on site and in Kanab to devise a repair plan that would provide an immediate fix for the road as well as long term measures to help prevent the problem from happening in the future.

The initial repair work to get the road open and safe for travel is expected to take one-to-two weeks and involves taking material from the edge of the roadway for several miles that has built up over time from grading operations, the scree that eroded from the rock cliffs alongside the road, and using that material to raise the roadbed higher than the riparian area.

“The longer term preventative measures will require additional funding. We, Kane County and the BLM, are looking to partner with other state and federal agencies to acquire the necessary funds,” said GSENM manager Rene Berkhoudt.
“This is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when local governments and federal officials work together,”said Kane County Commissioner Dirk Clayson.

-BLM-

[dieselcruiserhead]

One more from the BLM today... Looks like Cottonwood Road is in pretty bad shape. I'll reach out to fellow Utards to see if there are any photos. The good news is this forces you to go from Escalante to Left Hand Collet to Croton Road, which is a blast...

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Road Report Friday, May 04, 2012
All road conditions can change due to weather. Please contact the nearest visitor center for the most current conditions.
Roads to the East
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Burr Trail	4/28/2012	2WD	None
Notom-Bullfrog	4/19/2012	2WD	Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Road to Bullfrog Marina	4/19/2012	2WD High Clearance	Some water at the bottom. Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Wolverine Loop	4/28/2012	2WD	None
Cedar Wash	3/29/2012	2WD	Good condition recently graded.
Hole in the Rock	4/12/2012	2WD High Clearance	Dry and dust starting to get washboards. Recommend HC-4WD for last 7 miles.
Spencer Flat	2/23/2012	2WD	None
Roads to the North
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Hells Backbone	4/21/2012	2WD	None
Posey Lake to Loa	4/6/2012	Impassable	2WD up to Posey Lake; Impassable beyond.
Whites Flat (FR #142)	4/27/2012	2WD	None
Griffin Top	3/19/2012	Impassable	Impassable due to snow
North Creek (FR #149)	4/27/2012	Impassable	Rock slide at lower reservoir. Barker Lakes accessible from Whites Flat, lakes still frozen over.
Main Canyon	4/27/2012	2WD	None
Roads to the Central Areas
Name	Date	Condition	Comments
Smoky Mountain - Alvey Wash	4/28/2012	2WD High Clearance	Extremely rough just south of Drip Tank Wash.
Left Hand Collet	4/11/2012	4WD High Clearance	Rough but passable watch for soft spots in the creek still wet.
Croton	4/28/2012	Impassable	2WD high clearance south of the Grand Bench junction.
Smoky Hollow	3/30/2012	2WD High Clearance	A few sandy areas
Roads to the West
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Cottonwood	5/1/2012	Impassable	Road closed by the county due to a washout 19.4 mile north of Highway 89.
Skutumpah	5/1/2012	2WD High Clearance	None
Glendale Bench	4/1/2012	2WD	Road was dry, good condition
Paria Movie Set	5/2/2012	2WD	High clearance 2WD north of the picnic area.
House Rock Valley	3/24/2012	2WD	Rough, rutted areas
White House	4/6/2012	2WD	2WD

[dieselcruiserhead]

FWD:

The big news: Cottonwood Road is now open and passable for High Clearance 2 Wheel-Drive Vehicles!

Current conditions may not be reflected on the road report. Check with your friendly neighborhood visitor center for the most current conditions.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Road Report Friday, May 25, 2012
All road conditions can change due to weather. Please contact the nearest visitor center for the most current conditions.
Roads to the East
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Burr Trail	4/28/2012	2WD	None
Notom-Bullfrog	4/19/2012	2WD	Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Road to Bullfrog Marina	4/19/2012	2WD High Clearance	Some water at the bottom. Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Wolverine Loop	4/28/2012	2WD	None
Cedar Wash	4/28/2012	2WD	Getting a little sandy in a spots, but in good condition.
Hole in the Rock	5/16/2012	2WD High Clearance	Dry and dusty and extremely washboarding. Recommend HC-4WD for last 7 miles.
Spencer Flat	5/14/2012	2WD High Clearance	None
Roads to the North
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Hells Backbone	4/21/2012	2WD	None
Posey Lake to Loa	5/17/2012	2WD	Dry and Clear
Whites Flat (FR #142)	4/27/2012	2WD	None
Griffin Top	5/17/2012	Impassable	Large snow drifts; Passable for ATV/OHVs, but not for full-size vehicles.
North Creek (FR #149)	5/18/2012	2WD	Open and passable.
Main Canyon	4/27/2012	2WD	None
Roads to the Central Areas
Name	Date	Condition	Comments
Smoky Mountain - Alvey Wash	5/9/2012	2WD High Clearance	Extremely rough south of Drip Tank Wash.
Left Hand Collet	5/6/2012	4WD High Clearance	Rough, but passable.
Croton	5/9/2012	4WD High Clearance	Extremely rough. Not recommended.
Smoky Hollow	3/30/2012	2WD High Clearance	A few sandy areas
Roads to the West
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Cottonwood	5/25/2012	2WD High Clearance	Road is open and passable.
Skutumpah	5/21/2012	2WD High Clearance	Some sand pockets starting to form.
Glendale Bench	4/1/2012	2WD	Road was dry, good condition
Paria Movie Set	5/2/2012	2WD	High clearance 2WD north of the picnic area.
House Rock Valley	5/13/2012	2WD	Rough, rutted, washboard
White House	4/6/2012	2WD	2WD

[Colorado Uli]

Going there this weekend. Great timing for your update. Thanks!

[adventure girl]

Yes, great timing! Now I am curious about Left Hand Collette....

[mylsmkj]

Originally Posted by adventure girl

Yes, great timing! Now I am curious about Left Hand Collette....

...Adventure Girl you're not going to find "la Playa" with these plans! LOL!

[adventure girl]

Haha!! No, but I can put my toes in the sand and close my eyes and pretend!

[dieselcruiserhead]

Left Hand Collet is fine, a bunch of Utards rode it maybe 2 weeks ago on big bikes... But you can always check with the local stations. this will get a little redundant over the summer as most items will be fine unless there is severe rain...

[dieselcruiserhead]

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Road Report Friday, June 01, 2012
All road conditions can change due to weather. Please contact the nearest visitor center for the most current conditions.
Roads to the East
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Burr Trail	4/28/2012	2WD	None
Notom-Bullfrog	4/19/2012	2WD	Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Road to Bullfrog Marina	4/19/2012	2WD High Clearance	Some water at the bottom. Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Wolverine Loop	4/28/2012	2WD	None
Cedar Wash	4/28/2012	2WD	Getting a little sandy in a spots, but in good condition.
Hole in the Rock	5/27/2012	2WD High Clearance	Bad Washboard, potholes, very dusty, sandy/squirrelly areas - Drive carefully. Recommend HC-4WD for last 7 miles.
Spencer Flat	5/14/2012	2WD High Clearance	None
Roads to the North
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Hells Backbone	4/21/2012	2WD	None
Posey Lake to Loa	5/17/2012	2WD	Dry and Clear
Whites Flat (FR #142)	4/27/2012	2WD	None
Griffin Top	5/17/2012	Impassable	Large snow drifts; Passable for ATV/OHVs, but not for full-size vehicles.
North Creek (FR #149)	5/18/2012	2WD	Open and passable.
Main Canyon	4/27/2012	2WD	None
Roads to the Central Areas
Name	Date	Condition	Comments
Smoky Mountain - Alvey Wash	5/27/2012	2WD High Clearance	Reported extremely rough south of Drip Tank Wash.
Left Hand Collet	5/6/2012	4WD High Clearance	Rough, but passable.
Croton	5/9/2012	4WD High Clearance	Extremely rough. Not recommended.
Smoky Hollow	5/27/2012	2WD High Clearance	Some sandy areas
Roads to the West
Name	Date	Road	Comments
Cottonwood	5/27/2012	2WD High Clearance	Road is open and passable
Skutumpah	5/27/2012	2WD High Clearance	Rough, washboard, sand pockets, washboard, occaisonal deep potholes.
Glendale Bench	5/26/2012	2WD	Road in fairly good shape
Paria Movie Set	5/26/2012	2WD	Road is 2WD
House Rock Valley	5/13/2012	2WD	Rough, rutted, washboard
White House	4/6/2012	2WD	2WD

[dieselcruiserhead]

everything looks great except for Croton Road looks pretty rough. Would be a blast regardless though...

[dieselcruiserhead]

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Road Report
Monday, June 04, 2012
All road conditions can change due to weather.
Please contact the nearest visitor center for the most current conditions.


Roads to the East
Name Date Road Comments
Burr Trail 4/28/2012 2WD None
Notom-Bullfrog 4/19/2012 2WD Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Road to Bullfrog Marina 4/19/2012 2WD High Clearance Some water at the bottom. Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Wolverine Loop 4/28/2012 2WD None
Cedar Wash 4/28/2012 2WD Getting a little sandy in a spots, but in good condition.
Hole in the Rock 6/3/2012 2WD High Clearance Bad washboard, many potholes, squirrely sand - drive carefully! Recommend HC-4WD for last 7 miles.
Spencer Flat 5/14/2012 2WD High Clearance None

Roads to the North
Name Date Road Comments
Hells Backbone 4/21/2012 2WD None
Posey Lake to Loa 5/17/2012 2WD Dry and Clear
Whites Flat (FR #142) 4/27/2012 2WD None
Griffin Top 6/1/2012 2WD Dry and passable
North Creek (FR #149) 5/18/2012 2WD Open and passable.
Main Canyon 4/27/2012 2WD None


Roads to the Central Areas
Name Date Condition Comments
Smoky Mountain - Alvey Wash 5/27/2012 2WD High Clearance Reported extremely rough south of Drip Tank Wash.
Left Hand Collet 5/6/2012 4WD High Clearance Rough, but passable.
Croton 5/9/2012 4WD High Clearance Extremely rough. Not recommended.
Smoky Hollow 5/27/2012 2WD High Clearance Some sandy areas


Roads to the West
Name Date Road Comments
Cottonwood 5/27/2012 2WD High Clearance Road is open and passable
Skutumpah 5/27/2012 2WD High Clearance Rough, washboard, sand pockets, washboard, occaisonal deep potholes.
Glendale Bench 5/26/2012 2WD Road in fairly good shape
Paria Movie Set 5/26/2012 2WD Road is 2WD
House Rock Valley 5/13/2012 2WD Rough, rutted, washboard
White House 4/6/2012 2WD 2WD

[dieselcruiserhead]

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Road Report
Thursday, June 07, 2012
All road conditions can change due to weather.
Please contact the nearest visitor center for the most current conditions.

Roads to the East
Name Date Road Comments
Burr Trail 4/28/2012 2WD None
Notom-Bullfrog 4/19/2012 2WD Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Road to Bullfrog Marina 4/19/2012 2WD High Clearance Some water at the bottom. Per Capitol Reef Road Report as of 4/19/12.
Wolverine Loop 4/28/2012 2WD None
Cedar Wash 4/28/2012 2WD Getting a little sandy in a spots, but in good condition.
Hole in the Rock 6/3/2012 2WD High Clearance Bad washboard, many potholes, squirrely sand - drive carefully! Recommend HC-4WD for last 7 miles.
Spencer Flat 6/5/2012 4WD High Clearance Deep, dry sand on South Spencer Flat. HC2WD otherwise.

Roads to the North
Name Date Road Comments
Hells Backbone 4/21/2012 2WD None
Posey Lake to Loa 5/17/2012 2WD Dry and Clear
Whites Flat (FR #142) 4/27/2012 2WD None
Griffin Top 6/1/2012 2WD Dry and passable
North Creek (FR #149) 5/18/2012 2WD Open and passable.
Main Canyon 4/27/2012 2WD None

Roads to the Central Areas
Name Date Condition Comments
Smoky Mountain - Alvey Wash 5/27/2012 2WD High Clearance Reported extremely rough south of Drip Tank Wash.
Left Hand Collet 5/6/2012 4WD High Clearance Rough, but passable.
Croton 5/9/2012 4WD High Clearance Extremely rough. Not recommended.
Smoky Hollow 5/27/2012 2WD High Clearance Some sandy areas

Roads to the West
Name Date Road Comments
Cottonwood 5/30/2012 2WD High Clearance The road is rough but passable.
Skutumpah 6/6/2012 2WD High Clearance Being graded. Almost complete as of 6/6.
Glendale Bench 5/26/2012 2WD Road in fairly good shape
Paria Movie Set 5/26/2012 2WD Road is 2WD
House Rock Valley 5/13/2012 2WD Rough, rutted, washboard
White House 6/4/2012 2WD Washboard becoming extreme

[wbbnm]

We are planning a trip out that way in September. We would like to do some moderately difficult dirt bike rides.

I would like to include Hole in the Rock road in the trip. I am afraid the 60 mile down and back trip might get a little old.

It would be wonderful to find some loops over to Glen Canyon, but I can't find anything on the map. Are there any good gnarly out-and-back side trips that people would recommend.

We are not looking for 5 Miles of Hell type stuff. We have ridden Smokey Mountain road twice in the last couple of years. What I had in mind was something about as hard a little harder than the hardest stuff on Smokey.

I do see some possible loops to the west down around Dry Gulch(?) on what are shown as trails on my maps. I even see one trail that goes up to the top of the first mesa. Any words of wisdom.

We are planning to do the Collet Canyon loop over to Smokey either coming or going.

[AtomicXRer]

Originally Posted by wbbnm

We are planning a trip out that way in September. We would like to do some moderately difficult dirt bike rides.

I would like to include Hole in the Rock road in the trip. I am afraid the 60 mile down and back trip might get a little old.

It would be wonderful to find some loops over to Glen Canyon, but I can't find anything on the map. Are there any good gnarly out-and-back side trips that people would recommend.

We are not looking for 5 Miles of Hell type stuff. We have ridden Smokey Mountain road twice in the last couple of years. What I had in mind was something about as hard a little harder than the hardest stuff on Smokey.

I do see some possible loops to the west down around Dry Gulch(?) on what are shown as trails on my maps. I even see one trail that goes up to the top of the first mesa. Any words of wisdom.

We are planning to do the Collet Canyon loop over to Smokey either coming or going.

Would be interested in what tracks you come up with. I am also looking to ride that area too.

[dieselcruiserhead]

Originally Posted by wbbnm

We are planning a trip out that way in September. We would like to do some moderately difficult dirt bike rides.

I would like to include Hole in the Rock road in the trip. I am afraid the 60 mile down and back trip might get a little old.

It would be wonderful to find some loops over to Glen Canyon, but I can't find anything on the map. Are there any good gnarly out-and-back side trips that people would recommend.

We are not looking for 5 Miles of Hell type stuff. We have ridden Smokey Mountain road twice in the last couple of years. What I had in mind was something about as hard a little harder than the hardest stuff on Smokey.

I do see some possible loops to the west down around Dry Gulch(?) on what are shown as trails on my maps. I even see one trail that goes up to the top of the first mesa. Any words of wisdom.

We are planning to do the Collet Canyon loop over to Smokey either coming or going.

Left hand collet is your only option unfortunately because this is basically wilderness area (Grand Stiarcase National Monument). We post these reports to a couple boards now and (this is coming from someone who mostly considers themself a liberal) Clinton took the his ability to make a monument and made the hundreds of square miles of the monument in about 1996. It was a complete mistake and something that really bothers me and is wrong. There was a ton of good riding and single track and great trails all over the area but they are all gone now other than existing roads. I get oil and gas restrictions or some level of control, but it is still pretty bad. You can't even ride a mountain bike in most of these areas...

So anyway, Lefthand Collet to Croton Road is about the best. Because they are in "rough condition" they will be fun...

South and East of the lake there is some good stuff also...

Hope it helps....