Hole-in-the-Rock Road, UT

DocMP · 04-27-2021, 03:17 PM

Visit to Hole-in-the-Rock Road near Escalante, UT. April 23-26, 2021. 50+ miles of washboard -- each way. Beautiful scenery and a lot of nice camping. Our awning fell off. Good riddance. Unfortunately, high winds and threat of snow drove us home to Salt Lake City one day earlier than planned. Looking forward to getting back there soon to do Peek-a-boo and Spooky canyons.

salim · 04-27-2021, 03:57 PM

Sorry for the awning loss. We were out on that road last fall. The washboards ate us alive. After 10 miles we turned around. The TPS sensor was going off and everything was vibrating. Pulled over and checked the tires. One had lost 10 psi. We left with our tail between our legs and made alternate plans.

I have since put on the Falcon adjustable shocks from Van Compass and plan to try again in early June. We did camp outside Boulder and did the Hells Backbone restaurant. Expensive and worth it. So much to discover in southern Utah.

I have just learned of a back way to enter Antelope Canyon from the Lake Powell. Antelope marina, paddle into Antelope creek, park, the hike in. Avoid the $75 fee per person from the land route over native land.

REF · 04-27-2021, 04:53 PM

We were at hole in the rock rd. a few weeks ago as well, camped near the entrance, got as far as Devils Garden 10 miles in and had to bail the road washboard was so bad, prob the worst I’ve seen. Yes, I was aired down but still couldn’t go over 5mph at best or it sounded and felt as though the van would self destruct, meanwhile all the cars and SUV’s were flying through kicking up a crap ton of dust....blasted solid axles lugging 10K lbs!
We were there years ago and don’t remember it being such a popular spot, there’s so many cars driving in every day now and no maintenance being done!!
Hey UDOT...get a road grader in there for crap sakes!

Jeffrey · 04-27-2021, 08:33 PM

Been on that road dozens of times over the years, a lot in my SMB. Air down for comfort, If you think HITRR is bad (which is isn't really), then by all means avoid the turnoff road to Egypt. Never seen such washboard in my life. Had to bail after a coupla hundred yards. I have done it to the end but it was in a Land Rover years ago.

pjpvi · 04-29-2021, 11:39 PM

Was there last October and yes, the washboard sucked! Went about 30 miles in, beautiful camp and some great hikes, but the washboard was painful!

Bellpilot · 04-30-2021, 08:16 AM

We were there end of last October as well and it was definitely painful driving. We made it to Spooky camped for a couple days and then headed back out. Seems the years prior the road was not as bad.

One_Eye_Wilber · 04-30-2021, 08:54 AM

Been out there several times over the years. Last fall the washboards were awful. I found that aired down to 35 front and 40 rear the ride wasn't bad so long as I drove 40 mph... Then, on the way out, about 25 miles in, the bouncing drive shaft knocked a hole in the oil filter on my 6.0. lol. Had to get hauled out on the back of a flatbed. Shout out to the guys at cottam auto in Escalate who dropped the van under a tree behind their shop where I camped for three days waiting for a new filter housing. Had a nice time hiking down the river in the beautiful canyon with the dog each day while we waited for the part. Good times! I now carry a spare housing and filter with me.

86Scotty · 04-30-2021, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One_Eye_Wilber

Been out there several times over the years. Last fall the washboards were awful. I found that aired down to 35 front and 40 rear the ride wasn't bad so long as I drove 40 mph... Then, on the way out, about 25 miles in, the bouncing drive shaft knocked a hole in the oil filter on my 6.0. lol. Had to get hauled out on the back of a flatbed. Shout out to the guys at cottam auto in Escalate who dropped the van under a tree behind their shop where I camped for three days waiting for a new filter housing. Had a nice time hiking down the river in the beautiful canyon with the dog each day while we waited for the part. Good times! I now carry a spare housing and filter with me.

Hey Wilber, I'm pretty sure I met you and your pup coming back for your awning when you lost it in Box Factory Park near Ridgeway CO last summer. We were in a truck.

Hope you are doing well!

One_Eye_Wilber · 04-30-2021, 01:44 PM

Yup Scotty, that was me. I have some awning brackets on order from 1der. Ended up pitching the wrecked awning into the tip outside Ralph Lauren's cabin. I guess I should order an oil filter relocation kit too. hahahaha

b. rock · 04-30-2021, 01:55 PM

Has anyone taken a van all the way down to the bottom? I thought hole in the rock was a pretty technical 4x4 trail, not a road. I had this on my to-do list when I had the Cruiser, but figured getting a van down there for a single night of camping was going to be more grief than it was worth.