Lion's Back in UT: the consequences for mistakes here are severe
Lion's Back is the name of a famous sandstone ridge located near the city of Moab in the US state of Utah. It is now private property and no longer accessible by 4x4'ers.
Where is Lion's Back in UT?
Lion's Back is located in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, near Moab, in Grand County, in eastern Utah in the western United States. It’s located to the east of the iconic Hell's Revenge Trail.
How is Lion's Back in UT?
This amazing and dangerous rock was not for stock vehicles or novice drivers. The climb is several hundred feet up (350 feet) and the slope is with a gradient of up to 65 degrees in places; then the world’s most precarious 3-point turn at the top of the rock, before the hair-raising descent. It's said to be one of the most iconic off-road obstacles on the planet. As the tyre tracks on the rock show, plenty off-roaders have proved their insanity here. Excellent traction enabled vehicles to surmount inclines of incredible steepness but plenty of power is necessary. The climb involves several hundred feet on a steep slope, and then a 5 to 9-point turn-around at the top of the rock before slowly descending the same way up. Drivers ascended a steep stone ramp, surrounded on all sides by precipitous drop offs.
Why is Lions back at Moab closed?
The experience was simply stunning. In 2004 this land was purchased by a real estate developer and has since been closed to the public. Now it’s privately owned and no longer accessible by 4x4'ers. It is one of those obstacles that looks much more intimidating than it is difficult. This rocky hill was known for this video showing a Chevrolet Blazer losing its brakes and rolling down the hill plunging 30 feet to the ground. The accident was featured on several TV shows.
Pic: Dan Ellis