Trail Overview
BLM 46H Spur is a beautifully secluded, 1.2-mile out-and-back backcountry route that treats off-road explorers to an exceptionally intimate high-desert transit. This distinctly tight and twisty rock trail playfully meanders through a wonderfully dense landscape, heavily populated by mature green juniper trees, sharp cactus, and thick rustic brush under a brilliant blue sky dotted with white clouds. Along this wonderfully quiet and engaging drive, backcountry travelers will discover numerous flat, highly inviting dispersed campsites perfectly positioned safely off the path for an isolated overnight retreat. A crucial characteristic of this highly fragile environment is the considerable abundance of delicate cryptobiotic soil found all over the place on either side of the deeply tracked route; explorers must remain strictly on the designated trail to properly "tiptoe through the crypto" and protect the living desert crust. The highly scenic journey officially culminates at the dramatic edge of an elevated bluff, deeply rewarding drivers with breathtaking, unobstructed views looking straight down into the rugged canyon below.
Difficulty
BLM 46H Spur confidently earns a Level 3 Moderate technical rating. While the distinctly rocky trail generally avoids severe, vehicle-breaking ledges, safely navigating the path requires careful attention and a capable, high-clearance vehicle. The primary challenge stems from the exceptionally narrow, twisting nature of the driving corridor. Because the path heavily meanders directly between rigid juniper trees and sharp cactus, aggressive cosmetic pinstriping along your vehicle's side panels is a guarantee for anything larger than a short-wheelbase 4x4. Furthermore, drivers are strictly forced to maintain highly precise tire placement to safely clear the uneven rocky sections and avoid crushing the highly fragile cryptobiotic soil thriving immediately off the trail edges.
