One of our favorite stops on Hell's Revenge just got a lot better looked after. The Moab Sun News reports that the dinosaur tracksite on the trail in Sand Flats Recreation Area has roughly six times more protected surface than it did a few months earlier, and about 30 more visible tracks than anyone knew were there.

What changed

  • This spring, protection at the site grew from about 3,000 square feet to about 17,000 square feet, now spanning both BLM and Utah State Trust lands
  • The work was a team effort between Grand County, the BLM, the Grand County Motorized Trail Committee, Grand County Active Transportation and Trails, local outfitters and the Utah Friends of Paleontology
  • The tracks are in Navajo Sandstone and were left roughly 190 million years ago, from at least three kinds of animals, including large predators like Dilophosaurus
  • The paper reports the site sees an estimated 150,000 visitors a year, and new signs explaining the tracks are on the way

Here is the part that got our attention. According to the article, driving on the Hell's Revenge route since 2013 eroded about two feet of dirt and rock around the site, which is how those new tracks were exposed. Walking on tracks that were already uncovered caused very little erosion, but foot traffic on loose dirt and rock covering tracks wore away about half an inch.

How to visit it right

The site is only reachable by high clearance four wheel drive, so it is a real treat for folks who bring their Jeep. When we stop there:

  • Park where it is allowed and stay out of the protected area
  • Look and take photos, but don't step on or touch the tracks
  • Never pour water on tracks or try to trace them

It is a great reminder of why Tread Lightly matters. On a guided day with us, we make time for stops like this so your group gets the history along with the climbs.