Revel Mission: 4x4 Sprinter Van on Smokey Mountain Road and Kelly's Grade, Utah

I'm always trying to fill in the blank spots on the map. To see what is there but isn't shown. The Smokey Mountain Road crosses one of those big blank spots on my map. I found a 77-mile dirt and rock route from Big Water, Utah, to Escalante, Utah, that goes through some of the most gorgeous canyon country the southwest offers. This land is full of dramatic backcountry camps and places few get to see or enjoy. But don't try this after a rain as the clay roads get very slick and impassable, especially on the notorious Kelly's Grade, where a narrow road traverses thin ledges hundreds of feet off the ground. This is an excellent adventure for anyone in a Winnebago Revel 4x4 Sprinter van who thirsts for adventure and the experience to back it up. You must be self-sufficient, as help could be hours or days away, depending on the road conditions. But like a shining pot of gold, Escalante Outfitters and their delicious pizza are at the end of the rainbow. There couldn't be a better motivation.
Facts:
-I did this route on April 25th-26th, 2023. Road conditions can and will change.
-The route is BLM330 and NP-230 roads in Southern Utah. Between Escalante and Big Water, Utah
-This rocky dirt trail is rough and is 124km (77.4 miles) long.
-High clearance 4WD is mandatory. Anything else is unadvisable in a couple of crucial rough sections.
-Expect 6 hours to drive this without any stops.
-The road tops at 2.160m (7,086ft) above sea level.
-This road is impassable when it's wet. A few sections have quicksand that can swallow a truck.
-Kelly's Grade is a 1200ft tall set of switchbacks that traverse narrow ledges.
-Be prepared as there is very little traffic, and this area is extremely remote.
-Have lots of water.
-Have a full-sized spare and well-prepared vehicle and a well-stocked repair and recovery kit.
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Peter- / peterholcombe
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Winnebago Revel 4x4 Sprinter Van
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[@cmccabelt1]

My daughter and I drove this road yesterday. Your video helped a great deal with the planning. I even saw a white sprinter van coming the opposite direction. Thanks for doing the recon for us on this one.

[@Famagogo]

That is awesome! Isn't it a great tour? Thanks for watching!

[@BWT599]

It's a great day when Peter releases a new adventure video. 😊

[@Famagogo]

Thank you! This was a fun adventure.

[@AdventureNomadforNature]

Hey, it's Adventure Nomad for Nature here, we've camped close by before, but never actually met. Lol. Thanks so much for this video, the Big Water area is one of my favorite places, and I'm in the area now, and was studying the map and wondering what the road conditions were like,which is how I found your video. Always wanted to do the road, and this has helped me immensely. I have to be extra cautious since I'm an older female alone, and not a mechanic. I have some pretty cool hiking areas on my channel around Big Water that some of your followers may enjoy, they are all under the Utah Playlist. Thanks again.

[@Famagogo]

Hi Adventure Nomad, Thanks so much! It is a great route and If you love this area like I do, you will want check it out at some point. Road conditions are always changing. Maybe a local in Escalante would know more. I did this solo but it might be good to find a friend wanting to explore this too. I'm glad my video gave you an idea of what to expect. I'll check out your videos they sound awesome. All the best!

[@kennethoros4043]

Another awesome footage , the drone footage in the canyon was making so great shots of the van.

[@Famagogo]

Much thanks. That climb up Kelly’s Grade was unreal…

[@sadielaurentiwhitley3762]

Such a gorgeous location. Thank you

[@Famagogo]

Thank you Sadie, this whole area is so dramatic. Thanks for your comments. They make me smile.

[@buckmanriver]

Epic drone shots on this one!

[@Famagogo]

Thank you Buck!

[@HymerLife600]

Great aerial footage

[@Famagogo]

Thanks James!

[@skifreakcderby]

I camped at that spot at the top of Kelly grade two summers ago! It’s one of my favorites!

[@Famagogo]

LOL, That's great, It is an awesome spot!

[@haljohnson6947]

great job filming on your own. esp the kelly grade montage!

[@Famagogo]

Thanks so much! I really loved that area and look forward to returning. Thanks for watching!

[@dennymeyer7410]

What a landscape! Based on what I’ve seen the RipKit is really needed if you get off road in places like this. Good call on waiting for things to dry out . Never thought of the drone as a scout. PS super cool music on the drone segment from the ledge camp.

[@Famagogo]

Hi Denny, Thanks so much! Yes, The RIP Kit makes a big difference. I'm a huge fan.

[@lanceg.8458]

Cool video and great footage!! Next time check out LH Collett Rd...so amazing. We do Smokey Man Rd every September on ADV bikes. Takes about 2 hours to Big Water lol.. Cool channel too.

[@Famagogo]

I'll check it out! I'd love to do this on a bike some time. That would be a fun way to have a very different experience. Thanks!

[@WestsideBoy]

Incredible scenery, I love how you blended in drone footage to add context to where you traveled. Do you think a new stock Chevy Tahoe on all seasons would be fine here?

[@Famagogo]

Thanks! I think it would be fine in the conditions I experienced with All Terrain tires. It's more about getting sidewall protection and a 10 ply tire. Bit conditions are always changing out there so make sure to be prepared. A tow would be costly.

[@omarkhanlilcurry]

Would you feel comfortable doing this route alone again? I have a lifted 4runner, so i should be good. Awesome video !

[@Famagogo]

Hello, You always need to be a little more prepared on solo trips. Extra food, water and a way to inreach satellite communicator in case something bad happens. But yes, In this video I am solo on this whole trip. I only saw a few people the first day and one bike packer the second day. I think your 4runner won't have any issues with the roads. Thanks for watching!

[@rckjnkep]

Hi Peter, How were you able to fly the drone in a National Monument? Permit? Planning on doing this road next month! In the opposite direction though. Thanks for the great video!

[@Famagogo]

I use a few apps to determine airspace. On this tour your only in the monument for a little part of the trip and I just didn't film there. Most of this is BLM.

[@rckjnkep]

Peter, When did you do this trail? Rangers said due to recent rain damage not advised in a Sprinter...

[@Famagogo]

I did this at the end of April 2023. I could see a couple of places that could wash out. But you could always go with the plan to reverse your route if it gets too bad. I do that all the time.

[@rckjnkep]

@@Famagogo good call, that’s kinda what I was thinking. Thanks for the quick response. Love your content!!

[@dkosawa]

@Peter, I know this is an older video, but hoping you'll still see this and reply. :). I'm really leaning towards a 144 Sprinter verses the bigger 170 and 170 extended. You've had many, many miles on a 144. If you had a choice of size on your next van, what would it be? Also, any opinions on 4x4 verses AWD? I've just recently stumbled on your channel and totally addicted!!

[@Famagogo]

Hello, This is a great question. One I often think about. I have had a cab chassis Sprinter 170"s before my Revels. It all comes down to your intentions. Maybe answer these questions, and it will be clear. Do you need the space a 170 affords? (no, 144| yes-170) Will you have two people or more in it regularly? (no, 144| yes-170) Will you want to go off-road often and push the limits? (yes, 144| no-170) I love the space 170 offers. But it does have a longer turning radius-less clearance on rises and much less in the rear on the extended version. But, I do get 170 envy when I'm in one parked. That little added length can make a huge difference in living space. But it comes at a cost for offroad, tight city turns, and parking. Sorry, I can't say one way or the other more clearly. But it just depends on your uses and where you are OK making compromises. I have a little experience with the new AWD system. It did initially seem like a downgrade to 4WD-LO. But friends who have owned them say they are very capable, and the system works pretty well. They have said that if the Sprinter 4x4 is a 10 (which it isn't compared to trucks with real locking 4WD systems), the AWD system is a 9 for offroad use. You might check with Agile Offroad to see what they think. They have owned one of the first AWD Sprinters and tested it extensively. I hope this helps. Sprinters are a great platform for the type of travel I do. I love so much about them.

[@dkosawa]

Wow, thanks for taking the time to respond. Everything you said makes sense. My wife and I can't wait to take the plunge with van life. Heck, maybe one day we'll bump into you guys somewhere over the horizon. :)

[@Famagogo]

@@dkosawa Aweome, you are going to love it. I hope we do cross paths. All the best to you both!

[@bikesbeersbeats]

What was the song used in the outro?

[@UncleFjester]

*I can't camp anywhere anymore without the Utah Rangers finding and harrassing me. They always ask to see my toilet, so after numerous tickets I now have one!*

[@Famagogo]

Good for you? Poo is a problem. I hope they leave you alone now.

[@BradfordToney-vc5ip]

How do you manage overall height with the kayaks? No issues with height and bridges?

[@Famagogo]

We are 11' 6" and are always looking up. After 10 years of driving a sprinter with kayaks it's kinda baked into my awareness. We have had few awkward turn arounds and tight moments. And we carry a saw for really low limbs while off-roading. But it's not too much of an issue.

[@yvettebarker5987]

What month was this. We are looking for Dec thru February areas. Don’t want to run into snow.

[@Famagogo]

This was late April/early May. Typically you can get most any weather in Southern Utah in December. But February can be cold and snowy with the occasional nice day. I'd push on down to southern AZ or Baja for February. There is a much better chance of nice weather down there then.

[@dvgayle1]

So you have to bring a toilet? Can you just use those bags? Does google maps cover this area fairly well?

[@Famagogo]

I have a toilet built into our van. But, I think a WAG Bag would work. They are a great solution and I have used them many times. Google maps worked pretty well for me. But you have to download the offline maps as you wont have any cell service and will lose the map unless you have it downloaded.

[@kevinrichards8119]

Ps what tyres are you running there? Regards

[@Famagogo]

Hi Kevin, I’m very happily running the BFG KO2 AT 275/70r17. These tires have never let me down in almost a million miles of adventures.

[@kevinrichards8119]

@@Famagogo hi thought they were, had them myself,super tyres ...regards

[@PandaLAG]

What's the OCCC on the revel?

[@Famagogo]

Here is info from Winnebago. www.winnebago.com/models/product/motorhomes/camper-van/revel-sport?specifications=true

[@edpreston1635]

This is a great video! In fact, I would like to LINK to it in a new e-book I'm writing about Utah. This would be a link directly to your KZbin channel, not embedded, so it wouldn't take anything away from you. What it would do is get you more views and subscribers. I would also give you credit in the text on the page, as well as a free copy of the e-book. I guarantee you'll find a ton of new places to explore. Let me know what you think.

[@Famagogo]

Sounds like a win-win to me! Let's do it.