Alkali Basin

Total Miles 26.8
Technical Rating
5 Moderate
Best Time Summer, Fall
Trail Type High-Clearance 4x4 Trail
Accessible By
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Alkali Basin trail photo

Trail Overview

Alkali Basin Loop is a combination of the Alkali Basin Trail on the west and the Pipeline West Trail on the east. This allows for a through Jeep trail rather than an in-and-out. The namesake Alkali Basin is a nondescript basin shown in the photo. This trail crosses the opening, which probably is wet at certain times. We visited in August and all was well. This Alkali Basin side of this loop is rated 5 for difficulty. We do not rate for scratchiness, but if we did it would be a 10. VERY, VERY scratchy on the Alkali Basin side. Do not take this trail if that bothers you. The Pipeline side is a weak 3 for difficulty and is not scratchy. The upper few miles are quite rocky and bumpy. Alkali Basin side starts in an open desert with expansive views back across the valley. The upper part is narrow and brushy. There are a few small boulder areas that give the trail it's 3.0 rating. Make sure you put your tire on the rocks, not your differential. The Pipeline side also has views on the way down. Devil's Thumb formation is shown in the photos.

Photos of Alkali Basin

Difficulty

Rocks, scratchy narrow trail

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

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James Stunden
May 22, 2026
Open
Seriously need to upgrade rating. There are some technical parts that require using your brain. Fairly stock JK with 33’s, slow and steady.
Jaime Nakagawa
Mar 23, 2026
Open
This is definitely closer to a 7. Starts off open and rocky slowly starts to get super tight and then super rocky on the west side. 35s would definitely make it. Wouldn’t recommend 33s, or full sized trucks. Some super tight u turns. Over all pretty fun.
Eddie L
Oct 25, 2025
Open
not a 5 trail definitely a hard 8... the east side of the trail is a 5 rocky and easily passable with a slightly modified 4x4... however the west side of this trail has huge rocks I would recommend a lift, 37" tires minimum, and skid plates it is extremely narrow with sharp turns, deep washouts expect body damage and heavy pinstriping
Cody CARNES
Oct 25, 2025
Open
The trail says it’s a 5 but I have done almost all the 7s and 8s on the western slope and and ya maybe the first half is a 5 but once you pass thru the meadow and hit the last half between the real tight turns and trees make it real narrow and large rocks requires skill and patience i would say the last half of the trail is harder then evening Poughkeepsie Gulch . 2 out of 4 rigs took body damage to fenders and cab
Cristian Meza
Oct 25, 2025
Open
Really tight big rocks brush
CJ Picon
Jul 11, 2025
Open
Eric Dirck
Feb 07, 2025
Open
Attempted a couple weeks ago and got stuck at 7000’. Today snow, ice, mud pretty tricky above 7k. Very difficult steering due to aforementioned terrain; more like bobsledding up high. Several shelf roads with outward-leaning camber made for dangerous passage above 7500. Would not recommend in winter months. Bad idea, but we lived. Had to winch sideways at Alkali Rd (113) intersection due to muddy & steep decline and large boulder at sharp left shortly after here. Body damage, lots of pinstriping, side mirrors trashed, rock rails bent / torn up. Waiting until at least June to tackle again.
Craig Bedelyon
Dec 21, 2024
Open
Enter the trail on H 38 smooth sailing until we hit the top of the mountain as we turned down it got incredibly tight and very rocky. It was snow covered, but we did it in a four-door JK but it was tight.
Graham Hart
Oct 22, 2024
Open
The first half of the trail was a nice 3 with great views of the valley, however once you turn down hill things change. The trail was barely wide enough for our Jeep and we were scraping and pushing brush and tree limbs the whole way. Also lots of tight twists, large locks, and steep inclines. We were very concerned we were going to make it out and tried to turn around and go back up the hill, but didn’t have enough clearance and room to maneuver to get up the first bit of challenge. We ended up walking a half mile down the trail to scout and ran into a couple guys on a sxs and was able to turn back around and make it the rest of the way down and out. Would recommend 35’s, a winch, and vehicle no larger than a 4 door Wrangler.
Dylan Nedich
Mar 31, 2024
Open
Quite aggressive once you get to the forest section/higher up the mountain
Jonathan Nye
Aug 20, 2023
Open
Dave Varshock
Jul 02, 2023
Open
Ric Simon
May 28, 2023
Open

Alkali Basin Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • Single Track
  • 50 Inch
  • 60 Inch
  • High Clearance

Alkali Basin Map

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