Windmill Loop

The “navigate” function in OnX starts you at Bangs Canyon which means you’ve got to start with The Tabequache Trail. We decided to start at Third Flats Trail Head and drive to the river. That stretch is 5.9 miles and took us about 2.5 hours round trip. The obstacles are quite doable save one that scraped the underside because of the high peak of rock and the steep entrance and exit. I was in a Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch (35’s).

This trail is longer than the 1 hour Onx suggests. About 2 hours one way. When you get to the windmill you will have to turn around and go back. Otherwise the only way back is through The Tabeqache trail which is not recommended for any stock vehicle. Windmill loop a stock jeep will scrape in a few places. 33s recommended at minimum. Most of the trail is forest road but a few shelf climbs about 2-3ft high and some large rocks a little smaller than axle height. Round trip the trail will take you about 3.5 hours

We brought extended family on this trail, some for their first off-roading experience. At the obstacle at the top of the shelf road the Rubicon scraped a little. That combined with the shelf road, we voted to have lunch there at the turnaround and then return the way we came to the Third Flats Trailhead. Coming back out was more of a challenge for my stock suburban. We definitely want to return for Horse Mesa and finish the Windmill Loop.