Trail Overview
BLM 72 is a highly scenic and deeply engaging 6.0-mile out-and-back backcountry two-track that seamlessly escorts off-road explorers through a rugged, wonderfully vibrant high-desert landscape. The uniquely diverse transit officially begins by carefully crossing through a segment of private property; visitors will immediately encounter a sturdy ranch gate that must be respectfully opened and securely closed behind you to properly maintain the local land boundaries. Once securely on public BLM land, the distinctly tight and twisty mixed-surface trail—alternating seamlessly between remarkably soft red sand and sections of uneven, jagged rock—playfully meanders through a wonderfully dense environment heavily populated by mature green juniper trees under a brilliant blue sky. Along this beautifully intimate drive, a crucial characteristic of the 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 absolutely must remain strictly on the designated trail to properly "tiptoe through the crypto" and protect this living desert crust. The profoundly scenic journey officially culminates at a dramatic, elevated overlook, deeply rewarding drivers with breathtaking, unobstructed panoramic views looking straight down into the vast, rugged canyon far below.
Difficulty
BLM 72 confidently earns a Level 3 Moderate technical rating, driven entirely by its distinctly demanding surface conditions. Throughout the 6.0-mile transit, drivers must actively navigate sections of exceptionally deep, distinctively off-camber ruts that are fundamentally too demanding for a standard all-wheel-drive crossover to safely manage without sliding or sustaining severe undercarriage damage. Successfully conquering these remarkably uneven, shifting obstacles absolutely requires a true high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. 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.
