Canyonlands The Maze. Adventures in my back yard!

[rubiconscott]

I am a Back Country Law Enforcement Ranger in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. My job (it is my job but I wouldn't call it work ) is to do what everyone else would do for vacation.

I recently took my Wife and 2 small Daughters on a 4 day back country trip through the Maze in my 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited.

I will share photos and experiences from my unique perspective! I would love to help anyone else plan a trip to The Maze or surrounding areas!

We stared at Hans Flat Ranger Station, home for me! We spent 4 days and 3 nights in the Maze and Orange Cliffs areas. Hans Flat is actually in Glen Canyon NRA. You have to drive several hours East before you ener Canyonlands proper. We spent one night at The Wall in the land of standing rocks, one night at the Dol House and one night at Sunset Pass at the base of Gunsite Butte. We drove to HWY 95 via North Hatch Canyon and Poison Springs. We completed the loop back to Hans Flat from HWY 24. It was a great time!!!

Here is a photo I took while on Patrol at The Wall camp site.



I will post photos of my personal trip when I get home!!!

 

[Rambo1]

are you hiring?

 

[Tucson T4R]

Subscribed. :wings: I'm looking forward to your local knowledge of the area and unique perspective. This is an area I plan to explore at some point in the future so bring it on. :elkgrin:

 

[silvrzuki77]

Hard life you have there! Starting to meet more and more rangers that into the offroad scene and super cool to talk with.

 

[Trillium]

The Maze Trip

Hi Scott. Are you Ranger S Hines that checked us in at Has Flat for our 5 day Maze trip on 4/23? We had a fantastic time. Love the Maze. The rangers in Canyonlands NP have been fantastic on every trip we have taken. Say hi to Ranger Cynthia. Can't wait for pics and report.

Joseph Stevens

 

[clcoyle]

Cant wait to see pictures and write-up

 

[1leglance]

thanks for posting and let me join the others in saying you will be a huge resource around here.
It is great to have your perspective on so many things and your knowledge of the area is going to come in handy for myself & others.

I am looking forward to the rest of your report

 

[PirateMcGee]

as a fellow NPS employee (Natural Resources not LE) I'm looking forward to this thread! I love my "job" too haha

 

[rubiconscott]

I need to stop wearing my name tag... that is me! I am glad your trip went well. So many people come less than prepared and it makes my job interesting.

I will be home tonight and get some pics posted. My internet is a little slow out here so I don't know how many photos will upload!

In the next 2 weeks I will be in the Maze for about 10 days so I will get some good photos to share.

I have a lot of scenery and rock art photos as well as shots of my Jeep's.

Any requests of particular trails or sites for me to post?

 

[mph]

Would love to see some new rock art sites...I have been to the Maze numerous times. By far, best place in Utah! Enjoy your work and thanks for it...

How was the dirty devil crossing? Pretty dry down there this year, right?

I need to stop wearing my name tag... that is me! I am glad your trip went well. So many people come less than prepared and it makes my job interesting.

I will be home tonight and get some pics posted. My internet is a little slow out here so I don't know how many photos will upload!

In the next 2 weeks I will be in the Maze for about 10 days so I will get some good photos to share.

I have a lot of scenery and rock art photos as well as shots of my Jeep's.

Any requests of particular trails or sites for me to post?

 

[rubiconscott]

Would love to see some new rock art sites...I have been to the Maze numerous times. By far, best place in Utah! Enjoy your work and thanks for it...

How was the dirty devil crossing? Pretty dry down there this year, right?

I can show you The sites in Horseshoe, the harvest scene and the granery in the doll house!

The Dirty Devil was just below the door on my Jeep. I have a 4 inch lift, 1.25 in BL and 35 in tires...it is still moving pretty fast.

Here are some random photos of Horseshoe and different parts of the Park!!



Here is the work Jeep fording the Dirty Devil!

 

[mkitchen]

Not Fair!

I can't believe the someone has a job that pays them to drive a Rubi in such places. Oh, where did I go wrong?

Looking forward to seeing more of you observations. I also understand that no dogs are allowed in Canyon Lands? If so, can you make some suggestions for some good tours in the area that would allow dogs? We can't seem to get away without the three stooges (our three Corgi's) or at least if Mo goes the three stooges go.
Mikey

 

[rubiconscott]

Wow 3 Corgis? I used to have 1 Corgi and he drove my family insane! Great little dogs but we had to find him a new home when we moved here.


There are no pets allowed in the Back country of Canyonlands to include the Maze district.

San Rafael Swell area would be your best bet. Goblin Valley and lots of cool BLM land is just west of the Maze and you can have your pack of Corgis out there.

 

[mph]

Thanks much...Have you been down to the rock art site down by Lou's Spring? In the Fins area? I haven't found it yet. I do love the story behind the Cedar Bark Ruin...

I can show you The sites in Horseshoe, the harvest scene and the granery in the doll house!

The Dirty Devil was just below the door on my Jeep. I have a 4 inch lift, 1.25 in BL and 35 in tires...it is still moving pretty fast.

Here are some random photos of Horseshoe and different parts of the Park!!

View attachment 99765View attachment 99766View attachment 99767View attachment 99768View attachment 99769

Here is the work Jeep fording the Dirty Devil!
View attachment 99772View attachment 99773View attachment 99774View attachment 99775

 

[rubiconscott]

I have not spent much time in the fins area yet. I stay pretty busy in the Maze as you can imagine. I try to stay where people can find me in case of an emergency. I like to Jeep and Mtn. Bike the roads more than I like to hike. The Army ruined me on hiking and backpacking. After so many forced road marches with a billion lbs on my back I prefer to have wheels!

The Cedar Bark "ruin" is a funny story. I am sure it pissed off the Archeologists who found it!!!



I have been reading some of the threads on here from past trips to the Maze and find it entertaining to say the least. I am glad that the majority of the visitors to the Maze are responsable and prepared. I will say that if you are posting photos of your tirps to the National Parks, or anywhere for that matter, make sure they are not showing you doing anything illegal. You can and will be cited if a Ranger sees the photo and knows who you are. I could spend all day looking on line and finding such cases to investigate.

I have not not found anything on this webite so rest easy!!!