Lower Barracks Trail - BLM20

Total Miles
5.7

Elevation

1,574.21 ft

Duration

--

Technical Rating

5

Moderate

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

This is a sandy eleven-mile out-and-back version of the longer Barracks Trail that stays meanders along the East Fork of the Virgin River. This segment turns back at a challenging soft sand hill climb rated as a seven (7) in difficulty. Heavy overland rigs and dual-sport touring bikes should not attempt this climb. It is only for lighter 4x4s, SXS, motos, etc. It is important to note that we have seen rattlesnakes on two different occasions at the hill climb. Be snake aware. The lower segment includes numerous water crossings and two smaller, sandy rock challenges - the more difficult one is rated as a five (5) - that have alternate routes. There are numerous shaded riverside campsites along this route. The Lower Barracks Trail is a fun trail. I have run it numerous times in both directions. If dropping down the sand hill, I would rate the whole trail as 4-5. If climbing the sand hill, it becomes a 7-8 with the loose sandy climb as the worst obstacle with a few 4 and 5 rated obstacles above and below the climb. The climb itself is such soft, deep sand that tires need to be deflated into single digits. Vehicles frequently get stuck here, and if you slide off of the main track, it is easy to slide down into a hole that will require a more complicated multi-pull extraction. Heavy overland rigs and dual-sport touring bikes should not attempt this climb. It is only for lighter 4x4s, SXS, motos, etc.

Difficulty

Rated 5 for the loose, off-camber challenge. The rest of the trail is a 3.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

Ken Komaromi
Mar 24, 2024
4x4
Open
Muddy/Wet
Kimberly Waldriff
Jan 29, 2024
4x4
Open
Doug Turnquist
Nov 26, 2023
2022 Jeep Wrangler
Open
Normal
Randal Roof
May 26, 2023
4x4
Open
Dusty
Muddy/Wet

Access Description

Air down at the Belly of the Dragon Trailhead.

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