Bridger Jack Road - CR107

Trail Overview

Bridger Jack Road - CR107 is a 25.1-mile point-to-point trail rated 2 of 10 located within Bear Ears National Monument. The road is hard-packed and is periodically graded. The road is suitable for both 2 and 4WD vehicles but may be muddy after inclement weather. The road climbs to over 8000 feet and may be impassable in winter months and the National Park Service Canyonlands should be checked for road conditions. Bridger Jack Road is one of only two roads leading into the Beef Basin. Due to snow accumulation on the slopes of Horse Mountain and the rest of the Abajo Mountains, this route is closed during the winter months (Approximately November to April depending on snowfall and average temperatures for that particular year). Besides being an entry point into Beef Basin, the first 8 miles of the trail provide access to multiple rock-climbing sites. There are a least 10 known petroglyph sites along this stretch, all within a quarter-mile hike or closer from the road. These petroglyphs indicate the area was used mostly by the pre-Peubloan and later on by the Archaic (basket weavers), Ute, and Navajo people. The plateau above is a designated Wilderness Study Area (WSA) bordered on the west by this trail and on the east by Bridger Jack Road. Vehicular travel on the plateau is prohibited. The Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is an elongated unit about 10 miles long from north to south, and a little more than 2 miles from east to west at the widest point. Located in the Canyonlands section of the Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province, Bridger Jack Mesa is bounded by spectacular orange-red cliffs. The WSA is in a natural state and has outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. The nearest services are in Monticello to the south and Moab to the north. The closest hospital is the San Juan Hospital in Monticello. Much of the Bears Ears area does not have cell service.

Photos of Bridger Jack Road - CR107

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Difficulty

This is a county dirt road with infrequent or light maintenance after rain or snow, high clearance light duty 4WD may be required.

History

The story of Bridger Jack is that he was a Paiute Indian medicine man who attempted to cure William Posey's (1923's "Last Indian War") sick child; the boy died and Bridger Jack was killed for his failure.

Technical Rating