Ultimate 4wd destination: Barney Lake
Barney Lake is a secluded high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.090m (10,137ft) above the sea level, located in Piute County, in south-central Utah, United States.
Set high in Monroe Mountain, within the Dixie National Forest, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Forest Road 157. It features some rough spots, some moderately technical, but all uphill. It’s one of the most beautiful hidden treasures the area has to offer.
4x4 required. Not suitable for passenger vehicles. Located east of Marysvale, this road is usually closed from late October through late June or early July (depending on snow). It is not generally snow-free until late June or even July in some years. The road to the summit is steep, hitting a 14% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Forest Road 083, the ascent is 1.44km (0.9 mile) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 101 meters. The average gradient is 7.01%.
Pic: Shannon Bushman