Lower Barracks Trail - BLM20

Trail Overview

This is a sandy eleven-mile out-and-back version of the longer Barracks Trail that stays meanders along the East Fork of the Virgin River. This segment turns back at a challenging soft sand hill climb rated as a seven (7) in difficulty. Heavy overland rigs and dual-sport touring bikes should not attempt this climb. It is only for lighter 4x4s, SXS, motos, etc. It is important to note that we have seen rattlesnakes on two different occasions at the hill climb. Be snake aware. The lower segment includes numerous water crossings and two smaller, sandy rock challenges - the more difficult one is rated as a five (5) - that have alternate routes. There are numerous shaded riverside campsites along this route. The Lower Barracks Trail is a fun trail. I have run it numerous times in both directions. If dropping down the sand hill, I would rate the whole trail as 4-5. If climbing the sand hill, it becomes a 7-8 with the loose sandy climb as the worst obstacle with a few 4 and 5 rated obstacles above and below the climb. The climb itself is such soft, deep sand that tires need to be deflated into single digits. Vehicles frequently get stuck here, and if you slide off of the main track, it is easy to slide down into a hole that will require a more complicated multi-pull extraction. Heavy overland rigs and dual-sport touring bikes should not attempt this climb. It is only for lighter 4x4s, SXS, motos, etc.

Photos of Lower Barracks Trail - BLM20

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Difficulty

Rated 5 for the loose, off-camber challenge. The rest of the trail is a 3.

Technical Rating