Burr Trail from Boulder, UT - side hike w/ good photo ops?

[kate61]

Hope to be able to spend a morning (or afternoon... just not a full day) checking out the Burr trail. Will be entering at Boulder and won't venture further than what is paved (due to rental car). Keeping in mind a 3-4 hour max time commitment from Boulder, can anyone recommend any good side trails for hiking/photo ops along the way? Thanks for your suggestions. (will be the 3rd week of Sept if that matters).

[Lonnie Utah]

http://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/driving-the-burr-trail.htm

This should do it for you...

[Lisa Nikodym]

I don't know about the Burr Trail area specifically, but there are specialty car rental places in Moab that will rent you an offroad-type 4WD vehicle and let you take it off road.  I would imagine there are probably some in the Burr Trail area too, since there would be plenty of demand for it there too.  You might consider whether changing your rental vehicle might be useful to you...

Lisa

[Lonnie Utah]

You might consider whether changing your rental vehicle might be useful to you...

Even if you get a 4x4 from a "regular" rental agency, most of them void your contract (read insurance) if you actually drive them off paved roads...

[markadams99]

The Burr Trail itself is perfectly drivable in dry weather with 2wd, including the unpaved part in Capitol Reef NP, tho the hairpins down to the Notom Road are spectacular. With limited time tho I'd choose Lower Calf Creek Falls instead, parking off Route 12, 30 minutes south of Boulder. It's a safe,level, lovely hike with a spectacular waterfall at the end. Also the hikes off the Burr Trail can be pretty buggy.

[Lisa Nikodym]

Even if you get a 4x4 from a "regular" rental agency, most of them void your contract (read insurance) if you actually drive them off paved roads...

From a big-chain agency, probably true.  However, I did find a rental agency in Moab a few years back that specifically *did* mention it being fine to take their their serious 4WD vehicles onto dirt/sand/rock roads.  That's why they were renting out vehicles like that...

Lisa

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I'll second Mark's recommendation of Lower Calf Creek Falls as an alternative to the Burr Trail. The Burr Trail was easy two years ago with our two-wheel-drive rental car, and pleasant but not spectacular for the most part (we turned back at the top of the hairpins). But Lower Calf Creek Falls is indeed a stunning scene at the end of a pretty level three-mile walk (each way), with a number of good phot scenes along the way.

Eric

[Lonnie Utah]

From a big-chain agency, probably true.  However, I did find a rental agency in Moab a few years back that specifically *did* mention it being fine to take their their serious 4WD vehicles onto dirt/sand/rock roads.  That's why they were renting out vehicles like that...

Yes, I know this.  Most likely they wouldn't be renting from someone like that, they'll be picking up a car at the airport.  And Moab is 3-4 hours 1 way from Boulder anyway.  The off road rentals in moab run about $150-$250/day....

Rugged Rentals in the SLC airport will rent 4x4's and I'm pretty sure let you take them off road.

[kate61]

Renting in Vegas from Alamo - won't risk voiding agreement w/ off-road travel even if the car was capable (which I sure a Cherokee will be). Will be in Springdale/Zion for 3+ days, 2 days in Tropic/Bryce (one day in Bryce, and will explore Lower Calf Creek Falls and/or Burr Train the other), 3  days in Moab/Arches/Canyonlands (might try your off-road rental one of those days in Canyonlands if time and $$ permits), then one day in St George then back to Vegas. I wouldn't hesitate taking MY own car off the pavement, but don't want to chance any extra fees w/ a rental. FYI - Thanks for the Lower Calf Creek Falls recommendation - will definitely make that happen, (and add part of Burr Trail if time allows.)