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.
For more info: www.dangerousroads.org/north-...
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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.

[@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!

[@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…

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@bikesbeersbeats]

What was the song used in the outro?

[@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!!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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