Lion's Back Closed?

[flyingwil]

From PBB here (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=555559):

My company sent me to Ogden, UT for a Project startup. And on my off day. I rented a jeep from Cliffhanger jeep rental. 2006 Rubicon. Anyhow. My wife and I made it to Lions Back. and the family who USED to own it were cleaning out the buildings at the base of lions back. They said some guy bought it and was gonna build condo's at the Base next to it. Come Monday morning they were PERMENTLY blocking off the entrance to Lions Back.

I know Lions Back is not an extreme trail? But, it is kinda a ICON of Moab.

I climbed it twice during the day and once on my way back at night.
Just thought it was kinda sad to see it end. Glad I got to do it before it was gone.

Any truth? This was on my list of things to do this year:exclaim:

[goodtimes]

I believe Lions Back on on leased BLM land. Did the govt sell the land?

[Willman]

From PBB here (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=555559):


This was on my list of things to do this year:exclaim:

Wil,

If this is true????? Lets plan a trip in a few months or so and rally up the troops for a final run up the Lions back before they close it???

Any takers?

Or...sounds like they have already closed it...Man....I wanted to do that run!!!!

[flyingwil]

I do not know what to believe... It is the Internet. All I know is I want to run Lion's Back sometime! I believe it is a staple trail for Moab and restrictions or closure of Lion's Back might impact the economy of Moab.

I would love to go there sometime after EJS...

[goodtimes]

The view from the top is pretty sweet.

From 2002 (brown pickup is [was] mine):

[Willman]

I would love to go there sometime after EJS...

I'm game!!! Name a good weekend!

:safari-rig:

:camping:

[Willman]

The view from the top is pretty sweet.

From 2002 (brown pickup is [was] mine):

Great photo Goodtimes!

I'm going to be mad if this is true!

:gunt:

[Ursidae69]

The view from the top is pretty sweet.

From 2002 (brown pickup is [was] mine):

I remember that trip and that photo. That was my first ever trip over at ZR2.com. No way was I going to dive up Lion's Back though! How is Seapahn, you still talk to him on the Jeep boards?

[Willman]

I sent an email to the Redrock 4wheelers wondering whats going on....I'll keep you all posted on what they have to say about this.

From my understanding...looks like the Lions back is on private land......you know how that goes.....

:(

[cruiseroutfit]

From my PBB Post:

The land was actually SITLA (School Trust Land)... if I'm not mistaken the current leasee's (not owners) are moving off as the land was in fact sold (likely could have sold at public auction). The land sale has been chatted about over the years on off road forums, while I'm surprised to see it happening, I'm not shocked. Same situation as the Proving Grounds, Lower Helldorado, etc... If it were not for the Area BFE crew, the Upper Helldorado area would have been a goner too.

On the bright side, there are not too many chunks of SITLA land in the Moab area that have such 4x4 qualities, and those that do "should" be much more protected then the ones in the past. SITLA really messed up when they sold the Lower Helldorado property, by not publicizing the existing trail through the property... if the trails history could have been better disputed, existing laws would have protected it (with the help of a wad of $$$, ie Strike Ravine courtesty of RR4W). As for the future of the Hells Revenge exit... good question??? Hopefully some of the Moab locals can give us an update...

And from the current Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association President :cool:


Unfortunately, private parks will never be able to offer the freedom, exploration, and diversity of opportunity that public lands offer. It doesn't have to be this way. If the 4x4 community would become more involved in the cause, we could stop a lot of closures.

When there's an opportunity for public comment on a travel plan, gang-green supporters will send in letters and comments in the 10's of thousands. The 4x4 community usually only offers a hundred at best, and usually much less.

Get involved before it really is too late.

Not everyone can donate the countless volunteer hours it takes just to stay on top of the issues. Not everyone can spend 10+ weekends a year doing service projects. But everyone can become a member of these organizations that are fighting to represent for your rights as a 4x4 user.

Most people usually spend more for gas during a weekend wheeling trip than they're willing to donate to land use causes in a year. That's why we're losing so many roads and trails.

Donate. Get your friends to donate.

http://www.u4wda.org
http://www.usaall.org
http://www.sharetrails.org
http://www.ufwda.org
http://www.savemotorizedaccess.com

[devinsixtyseven]

State of Utah has been selling off the more beautiful parts of the nearby Moab area for a while now, through SITLA.

Personally I think it is CRAP. It is even worse when it's going to be developed in to condos. I certainly hope the Moab locals have seen what Summit County looks like now, in Colorado...a never-ending sea of condos, resort properties, etc. etc. etc...

I heard something similar happened in Castle Valley, and that the locals threw out the developers as soon as they heard what was really happening.

-Sean

[adventureduo]

That sucks if it's true. You'd think they would make it a state park or a point of interest instead of just selling it off. :(

[cruiseroutfit]

State of Utah has been selling off the more beautiful parts of the nearby Moab area for a while now, through SITLA.

Personally I think it is CRAP. It is even worse when it's going to be developed in to condos. I certainly hope the Moab locals have seen what Summit County looks like now, in Colorado...a never-ending sea of condos, resort properties, etc. etc. etc...

I heard something similar happened in Castle Valley, and that the locals threw out the developers as soon as they heard what was really happening.

-Sean

School Trust Lands were alloted many, many moons ago.... long before Moab was the hot spot it is today. In fact if you look at a map they were given a parcel in nearly ever township in the state (~1/9th the total acreage), all as a source of monies to build new schools.

Nothing is being sold "through" SITLA... it is their land as granted by the federal government. Its a raw deal in some cases, but nothing our of the ordinary or unethical.

[cruiseroutfit]

That sucks if it's true. You'd think they would make it a state park or a point of interest instead of just selling it off. :(

Its not State Park/Park & Rec property... they "could" buy it I suppose, but SITLA has to look out for the best interest of their beneficiaries... meaning public schools. The reality is the property is worth far more to developers than it is as a State Park. There is a giant BLM administered recreation area not more than 2 miles away.. I personally don't see much value in a state park at Lions Back... while its a neat obstacle and all... its not that neat.

[paulj]

If I located the Lions Back correctly on one of the BLM maps (just north of a switchback in the road running east from town), just an odd corner of one of these parcels was stateland. The rest was part of the private land that surrounds the town.

paulj

[Willman]

Just got an return email from one of the members of the Redrock 4wheeler's club:

"Lions back is NOT a trail. it is a short sectiion of steep slickrock with a turnaround at the top requiring coming back down the same slickrock fin. "They" are the people who own the lease on the property where the fin is located and for liability purposes have chosen to close the fin to just open use. It is possible to try this fin by paying a per vehicle use fee."

I wonder how much the toll would be to drive up???? I'll get back to you all on that one....

:bigbossHL:

[paulj]

This picture that I took in the fall 2004 may give a better overview of the settiong for the Lions Back. If I recall correctly I'm on the switchback that leads up to the Sandflats trail area. I think you had to go through the property in the foreground to get to the base of fin. There may have also been space to camp.

In the Google Earth image, Lions Back is on the left center edge, just beyond the switchback. The road climbs up the cliff. Parking and some of the trails of Sandflats are visible on the upper right.

paulj

[cruiseroutfit]

Just got an return email from one of the members of the Redrock 4wheeler's club:

"Lions back is NOT a trail. it is a short sectiion of steep slickrock with a turnaround at the top requiring coming back down the same slickrock fin. "They" are the people who own the lease on the property where the fin is located and for liability purposes have chosen to close the fin to just open use. It is possible to try this fin by paying a per vehicle use fee."

I wonder how much the toll would be to drive up???? I'll get back to you all on that one....

:bigbossHL:

Hmmm, as I recall there has been a toll for the last 5+ years to drive the fin... Its possible whomever wrote that might be a bit behind the latest news.

Here is a quote from another RR4W member:

I can't confirm that it has actually been closed, but I am working near there tomorrow, and I'll drive up and take a look. The condo / subdivision has been rumored for quite a while, and if I remember correctly, a preliminary plan was proposed. I'm pretty sure that nothing has been approved yet. The developers will face some tough hurdles, but it seems like money talks here in Moab when it comes to new developments, so I have no doubt that big changes are on the way.

His reply yesterday:

I drove by Lion's Back this morning, and there are "No Trespassing" signs posted all over the place.

[devinsixtyseven]

that's what we saw Sunday. it looked very, very closed. could just be the season...

but yes, the fee thing has been the case for years and years...pushing a decade. it's always been on private property...but it's also always been accessable as long as people were good about it, or so i heard.

[XJINTX]

Sure am glad I did it last year :) The year before we could not find the owners to pay them so we did not go.

Here is a video of me going down LION'S BACK (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBnRFNMSvd8). Eric in the truck behind me had a camera. I forgot last one up... is the first one back down ;)

[Ursidae69]

It doesn't surprise me that it is now closed. Even with waivers, there are liability concerns I'm sure. The TTORA "situation" that happened a few months ago likely exacerbated the situation as well.

[kcowyo]

I generally wait for Kurt/cruiseroutfit's contributions, for getting reliable and accurate information regarding trail use and landownership in Utah. There are tons of rumors and speculation online this week about Lion's Back. I'm not one to believe everything I read, but when it comes to 4x4 use in Utah, I do believe it when Kurt says it. :coffee:


Just an fyi for those scanning this thread, unfamiliar with our membership but looking for a reliable and accurate source of information.

[upcruiser]

It doesn't surprise me that it is now closed. Even with waivers, there are liability concerns I'm sure. The TTORA "situation" that happened a few months ago likely exacerbated the situation as well.

I'm out of the loop, but what happened?

[Willman]

The TTORA "situation" that happened a few months ago likely exacerbated the situation as well.


Would you care to explain this one.....just wondering???

[Brian894x4]

Must be this one:

http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52950

Also there's that couple that lost their brakes a couple of years ago and rode that thing all way down with no brakes. It was all over the TV on a few "wildest videos" type shows.

[Wanderlusty]

Must be this one:

http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52950

Also there's that couple that lost their brakes a couple of years ago and rode that thing all way down with no brakes. It was all over the TV on a few "wildest videos" type shows.

Yikes.

Was that a TTORA sanctioned ride, or just friends who happened to be members?

Not that it matters.

I can totally understand the liability angle of it, though, in this litigation obsessed society.

[Ursidae69]

Yikes.

Was that a TTORA sanctioned ride, or just friends who happened to be members?

Not that it matters.

I can totally understand the liability angle of it, though, in this litigation obsessed society.

It was a ttora event and the NorCal chapter president has since stepped down. You can find closed threads on the main ttora site detailing it unless they have been deleted.

[cruiseroutfit]

I honeslty don't think the liability of the obstacle had anything to do with it... especially the recent TTORA situation as the developer was already making plans long before that happened. IMHO this has very little to do with liability, land use, WAG's, etc... it has to do with SITLA selling their land and a developer looking to build a condo community on the property.

Just yesterday I received a letter from SITLA on other properties they will be auctioning off May 11th... a couple thousand acres in 20+ lots. At times property sells VERY cheap... We (Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association and our member clubs, ie. RR4W, Wasatch Cruisers, etc) try and monitor the upcoming auctions to make sure trails of "significant" value arn't comprimised... however we are all volunteers and finding time to actively track and recon these parcels is quite the feat.

[Monkeyboy]

Hasn't there been a "For Sale" sign at that little set of buildings for the past several years?

I seem to recall an asking price of something like $2M ... only makes sense - for that knd of price - to develop the property.

Having said that, I can't imagine anyone paying big $$ for a condo there. Its in kind of a little hole and the views of the area stink from ground level.

[Willman]

Must be this one:

http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52950

Also there's that couple that lost their brakes a couple of years ago and rode that thing all way down with no brakes. It was all over the TV on a few "wildest videos" type shows.

Thanks for clearing this up!!!

[Willman]

I honeslty don't think the liability of the obstacle had anything to do with it... especially the recent TTORA situation as the developer was already making plans long before that happened. IMHO this has very little to do with liability, land use, WAG's, etc... it has to do with SITLA selling their land and a developer looking to build a condo community on the property.

Just yesterday I received a letter from SITLA on other properties they will be auctioning off May 11th... a couple thousand acres in 20+ lots. At times property sells VERY cheap... We (Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association and our member clubs, ie. RR4W, Wasatch Cruisers, etc) try and monitor the upcoming auctions to make sure trails of "significant" value arn't comprimised... however we are all volunteers and finding time to actively track and recon these parcels is quite the feat.

Keep up the great work my friend!!! I'll be joining you in Utah (moving to Provo) next month!! Love to meet you some time!

:camping:

And

:truck:

[cruiseroutfit]

...Love to meet you some time!

:camping:

And

:truck:

For sure! Ring me when your in the local :cool: