River Road East/Black Gap Road Conditions

[wild.open.spaces]

Can anyone tell me the conditions of the roads outlined in green on the attached map? FYI...I do not plan on traveling all the way north on Black Gap. I will stop and turn around at the Fresno drainage. In past readings on the forum, it seems that the northern part of Black Gap can get dicey. I'll be traveling in a Ford F-150 pickup (NOT 4x4). Thanks!

[Ay Chihuahua!]

As of a couple of weeks ago RR E to Black Gap and as far as the Elephant Tusk Trailhead was fine in my non 4x4 pickup.

[Boot Canyon 1 Cougar]

wide.open.spaces,

Have you driven River Road East/Talley/Black Gap Road (per your map) yet?

Does anyone have an update to Ay Chihuahua!'s post?

Thanks for your assistance.

[DesertCow]

You should have no problem along that route, my Jeep Liberty (Non 4x4, Non Trail-Rated) had no issues on those roads. I was able to drive my Jeep past the Fresno Drainage on the Black Gap Road but could not go any further once i met the Black Gap "Step". I did however along the way pick up some thorns in one of my tires but nothing a can of fix-a-flat could not handle.

[Boot Canyon 1 Cougar]

Thanks, DesertCow.

My girlfriend's BMW X5 is my concern.

Ill check the clearance specs, compared to your Jeep, to be safe.

The reason I'd followed up on Ah Chihuahua's post is the I noticed on Jeff Blaylock's trip report that there were some washed out places on River Road East.  I also recall a mention of gravel trucks on the road, so perhaps the wash out problem was repaired.

[jeffblaylock]

The reason I'd followed up on Ah Chihuahua's post is the I noticed on Jeff Blaylock's trip report that there were some washed out places on River Road East.  I also recall a mention of gravel trucks on the road, so perhaps the wash out problem was repaired.

We were together, and we passed through the washed out areas, twice, without incident. A little later in my trip, I saw a caravan of trucks turning onto the River Road loaded with gravel and other building materials, so it's quite possible that these areas have been repaired. In any event, careful driving will suffice.

[Boot Canyon 1 Cougar]

Jeff,

Thanks so much for the added info.

Man, I loved your trip report.

Breaking down @ the Elephant's Tusk campsite--Wow!  It would be a challenge to find a more desolate place for car trouble.

That Spot was quite a prudent investment (hint, hint, wide.open spaces ).