La Sal Mtns Route Question

cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
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Looking on some beta for an upcoming trip. The route in question up in the La Sal Mountains just south of Mount Waas. It gets up in the 12k feet range and I am hoping someone has actually driven it. Any feedback one way or the other?

Google Earth GPS Coord of Route: 38°31'45.08"N 109°13'57.17"W

Thanks in advance!
 
I know when we went on the Utah backcountry trip with Steve, we passed right near that area. However, I can not recall the exact location. Steve might remember if we passed near there.
 
jentzschman said:
I know when we went on the Utah backcountry trip with Steve, we passed right near that area. However, I can not recall the exact location. Steve might remember if we passed near there.
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From the vids I'm assuming you were not on this road, at 12k its one of the highest routes in Utah (if open). I may be wrong, hopefully Steve will chime in.
 
I've been around the La Sals a decent amount and I can't say that I've been there. If you need some boots on the ground before your trip (and the snow has melted), let me know! Would be a quick & easy ride on the 690!
 
Greg said:
I've been around the La Sals a decent amount and I can't say that I've been there. If you need some boots on the ground before your trip (and the snow has melted), let me know! Would be a quick & easy ride on the 690!
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I might have to come join you for that :D

This trip is just starting to flesh out and due to some of the other routes, its not going to happen until late summer/fall so time is on our side for planning. My next step is to check through the MVUM and travel plans for that area but I'm hopeful someone on the interwebs has been there and can share some info.
 
I remember us getting way up in altitude... But perhaps you are right though... I do remember that area being VERY beautiful. We got to the top of our trail and the view was out of this world...
 
We were about 15 miles east of that, we never went on that road. If I know the mountains you're talking about, they were SUPER high up there, probably another 1000 feet above us. I think we got to about 10,500. I'll have to finish editing that video so you can see the area we were in.

This is the route we took:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=38.281313,-109.35791&spn=1.030566,2.364807

There was snow on the peaks of those mountains in October. I'm not sure if it was recent snow or if it was snow left over from the earlier months. Beautiful area though, I'd love to approach it from the west side of the La Sals.



The worst stretch of the UDBDR was between Rose Garden Hill and the bench to the La Sals. Super slow, bumpy, non-scenic driving. But once we got up to the La Sals, it was worth every second. I could spend an entire week on the La Sals and still not quench my thirst for the area.
 
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Kurt, your coords are on a pack trail that starts in Miners Basin, I've hiked most of the way up to the top there. The road on the southeast side of Waas dead ends at Beaver Basin. Those have been that way for a long time. But an awful lot of routes in the La Sals have been closed in recent years. A lot of others have been designated ATV only.

- DAA
 
DAA said:
Kurt, your coords are on a pack trail that starts in Miners Basin, I've hiked most of the way up to the top there. The road on the southeast side of Waas dead ends at Beaver Basin. Those have been that way for a long time. But an awful lot of routes in the La Sals have been closed in recent years. A lot of others have been designated ATV only.

- DAA
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I've been up Miners Basin and remember the road petering out from there up, we were just hoping to hit 12k feet. Thanks for the heads up! Research continues :D
 
Researching getting to 12K in a vehicle in Utah? Or is that just a minor detail? Not that it's any of my business of course. I'm not positive, but don't "think" you can make it to 12K by driving in Utah. Again, not sure, but think this is as close as you can get:

IMG_2420.jpg


At 11,425'.

Couple other places I've driven at 11,300. Again, not totally sure about what is actually possible, and of course don't even know if that is your interest. But! I'd dang sure be interested if you come up with anything higher!

- DAA
 
I've driven it quite a few times - the road doesn't go very close to Delano peak and isn't anywhere close to 12,000'. It doesn't even crack 11,000' until well north of Delano and getting closer to Belknap. There is an old mining road on the side of Belknap that might get to 11,500' - but I don't know if it is still open or not. Last time I was on it was quite awhile ago, on an ATV, and I couldn't get all the way up because of snow.

- DAA
 
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