UT

Beef Basin, S.E. Utah

Location:

Beef Basin is located in southeastern Utah, approximately 33 miles west-northwest of Monticello, UT and due south of Canyonlands National Park and southwest of Glen Canyon National park , due east of the Colorado River  and northwest of the Manti-La Sal National Forest.

For this article, the area defined as Beef Basin is surrounded by Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, the Dark Canyon Instant Study Area (including Gypsum Canyon and Fable Valley), the Manti-La Sal National Forest, and the Butler Wash Wilderness Study Area.  The only area left undefined but is commonly associated with Beef Basin is the North Cottonwood Canyon area where the typical trail to the area starts.

 History:

  • Native Americans
  • European Explorers/Colonization
  • Settlers/Outlaws
  • Mining/Drilling
  • Cattle/Agriculture

 

 Geography/Geomorphology:

  • Area/Dimensions
  •  Cottonwood
  • Fable Valley
  • Elephant Hill
  • Imperial Valley
  • Dark Canyon
  • Abajo Mountains
  • Arches
  • Meadows/pastures
  • Box Canyons
  • Springs
  • Overlooks/Viewpoints
  • Hiking Trails

 

 References:

Books

    • Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, Second Edition; Charles Wells
    • Hiking, Biking and Exploring Canyonlands National Park and Vicinity: Hiking, Biking, Geology, Archeaology, and Cowby, Ranching & Trail Building History; Michael R. Kelsey
    • Non-Technical Canyon Guide to the Colorado Plateau; Michael R. Kelsey
    • 4WD Adventures: Utah; Peter Massey and Jeanne Wilson
    • Canyon Country Off-Road Vehicle Trails: Canyon Rims and Needles Areas; F. A. Barnes
    • Canyon Country Off-Road Vehicle Trails: Canyon Rims Recreation Area; F. A. Barnes
    • Utah byways : Backcountry drives for the whole family; Tony Huegel

Maps

Trip Reports ®(Date)

® Access to Trip Reports on various forums such as Expedition Utah may require signing up for free membership.

 Government Agencies (governing authorities):
  • (435) 587-2041 Monticello Forest Service Office
  • (435) 587-1500 Monticello BLM Main Office
  • (435) 259-4711 Needles District Visitor’s Center
  • (435) 259-4351 Canyonlands Backcountry Desk
  • (435) 684-7400 Bullfrog Marina
 GPS Information:

The file (GPX format) attached includes only waypoints – accuracy varies depending on whether we have been there or not. Please assist in verifying all locations by emailing details to XXXXX on this forum:

  • geographic features (mountains, valleys/flats/meadows/pastures, basins, canyons, arches, bluffs, mesas, overlooks, points, gulches, etc.)
  • various ruins (there maybe more than one at or close to the same location), cabins, ranches, cemetery, etc.
  • various entrances/exits to the area
  • some possible camp sites – tent/RVs, sites both primitive and commercial
  • springs, creeks, tanks, reservoirs/dams, arroyos, washes, lakes/ponds , etc.
  • Information/ranger stations
  • park and forest boundaries
  • trail heads
  • rock art
  • small towns, landing strips
  • gates/fence crossings, cattle guards
It does not contain any tracks or routes as there are so many and once you know the waypoint you want to go to, you simply find the trails to get there – more fun and exploration!