Trail Overview
Accessed via the adjacent BLM 72 trail—which notably requires visitors to respectfully cross a section of private land and securely close all ranch gates behind them—BLM 72D is a beautifully secluded 3.0-mile out-and-back backcountry route. This distinctly tight and twisty mixed-surface two-track playfully alternates between loose dirt and rocky sections as it gracefully winds its way through a wonderfully dense high-desert landscape. The remarkably intimate path is heavily populated by mature green juniper trees and thick, rustic brush under a brilliant blue sky. Along this quiet and deeply immersive 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 72D confidently earns a Level 3 Moderate technical rating, driven primarily by its distinctly demanding surface conditions. Throughout the 3.0-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. Successfully conquering these remarkably uneven, shifting obstacles absolutely requires a true high-clearance 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.
