Trail Overview
Marked at its junction by a weathered brown carsonite forest service post, BLM 71 is a highly engaging and rugged 2.4-mile backcountry connector trail that provides off-road enthusiasts with a distinctly secluded high-desert transit. The deeply tracked, mixed-surface route gracefully alternates between sections of firm dirt and remarkably uneven, rocky terrain as it playfully winds its way through a wonderfully dense landscape. This wonderfully quiet environment is heavily populated by mature green juniper trees and thick, rustic brush under a brilliant blue sky. Serving as a vital link within the broader off-road network, this deeply immersive drive safely escorts travelers away from the main thoroughfares. The highly scenic journey eventually opens up and officially culminates at a dramatic, elevated overlook, deeply rewarding drivers with breathtaking, unobstructed panoramic views looking straight out over the vast, rugged canyon far below.
Difficulty
BLM 71 confidently earns a Level 3 Moderate technical rating, driven entirely by its distinctly demanding surface conditions. Throughout the brief 2.4-mile transit, drivers must actively navigate sections of exceptionally deep, distinctively off-camber dirt ruts and several notably deep ditches that are fundamentally too demanding for a standard all-wheel-drive crossover to safely manage. Successfully conquering these remarkably uneven, shifting obstacles absolutely requires a true high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, and utilizing a locking differential is highly recommended to cleanly push through the deepest cross-ditches without lifting a tire and losing essential traction. Furthermore, because the exceptionally narrow driving corridor constantly forces vehicles to push tightly through overgrown brush and rigid junipers, heavy cosmetic pinstriping along the side panels is a guarantee for anything larger than a mid-size vehicle.
