Description
Doran Canyon is a rock crawling trail for the experienced drivers with built rigs. The trail offers a 6-foot waterfall, a narrow off-camber canyon just wider than your Jeep, and the hardest obstacle in the area... Doran Canyon's Gatekeeper.
There is no right vehicle for Doran Canyon. Short wheelbase Jeeps will be able to maneuver the tight obstacles better while the longer wheelbase vehicles like JKU's and Toyotas will do better on some of the waterfalls. Either way, there is something on this trail that will be hard for almost any offroad vehicle.
Be careful for flash floods, the area is prone to it and there is very little places to escape it.
Also, please do not stack rocks in the gatekeeper, keep this obstacle a challenge for the next. If you can't do it, please take the bypass.
The lower rating does not include the gatekeeper at the south end. This is an optional obstacle and should only be done in built vehicles with very experienced drivers.
Waypoints
1. Bypass Around Gatekeeper Trailhead and Mud Caves
(0 mi)
If the Gatekeeper isn't for you, then there is an alternate route to Doran Canyon that is much easier. It is easy to miss but can be found right before the Mud Arches on the west hill.
The bypass around Doran Canyons Gatekeeper can be found here at
Doran Gatekeeper Bypass Trail.
2. Doran Gate Keeper - Optional (Extreme / Hard Alternate Trailhead)
(0.12 mi)
Doran's Gatekeeper is easily in the top 5 list of the hardest obstacles that a vehicle can do under its own power in the United States. With rocks and holes larger than Jeeps, it is easy to see why the only way up is to put the vehicle on its side a few times. If you have a built rig, a strong roll cage, and don't care about a repair bill, then this obstacle is for you.
***DO NOT MOVE OR STACK ROCKS IN THIS OBSTACLE, IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THIS OPTIONAL OBSTACLE UNDER YOUR OWN POWER, TAKE THE BYPASS. DO NOT RUIN THIS SPOT FOR THE NEXT PERSON.***
The bypass around Doran Canyons Gatekeeper can be found here at
Doran Gatekeeper Bypass Trail.
3. Off-Camber Area
(0.19 mi)
Once you drop into Doran, you are introduced to your first obstacle right away. This narrow but off-camber and articulated area is a lot of fun but can also be costly on the repairs.
Just past the off-camber area on the right is the trail that takes you up to Doran Canyon Flats. This area has some remote dispersed camping for those looking to get away from the crowds.
4. Doran Canyon Flats / Bypass Around Narrow Canyon - Stay West
(0.23 mi)
The trail heads off to the left and enters a narrow canyon. If you go right you can go up to the flats where you can bypass the narrow canyon. Now, if you are needing to bypass the narrow canyon, it would be best to turn around as the trail only gets harder ahead.
If you are looking to camp somewhere unique and away from people, this could be a good spot. But note, there is no soft level ground. The area is a rocky floor meaning no soft surface to rest on.
5. Narrow Canyon
(0.4 mi)
This one section can either be easy or a nightmare. Since there is only enough space for one line, you have to hope there isn't anything you can't clear on the path. Make sure you have good under armor because there is a good chance you will use it here.
Just past the obstacle on the right side is the exit of Doran Canyon Flats (Dispersed Camping Area).
6. End of Doran Flats / Bypass Rejoins - Stay West
(0.43 mi)
The end of the bypass, the trail above drops back in right here. Stay to the west to stay on Doran Canyon. The 3rd photo is the way you want to go if heading down the canyon.
If you are looking to camp somewhere unique and away from people, this could be a good spot. But note, there is no soft level ground. The area is a rocky floor meaning no soft surface to rest on.
7. 5 Foot Waterfall
(0.72 mi)
Probably the second hardest obstacle on the trail, this 5-foot waterfall is a doozy. Since the wall is near 90 degrees with sand on top, some rock stacking may be required for even the most built rigs.
8. Bismarks Back Door - Stay East
(0.75 mi)
An optional ending to Doran,
Bismarcks Back Door splits off and heads up a narrow canyon. The trail is easier than Doran but if you made it this far, you might as well finish Doran Canyon. Now if you are coming down the trail by accident, this is your option to get back up to the top the easier way.
Stay to the east to stay on Doran.
9. Hard Spot - Optional Harder Route
(0.81 mi)
The trail that keeps on giving. This is the 3rd waterfall from the bottom. This obstacle offers two lines - the easy route and the hard route. The hard line requires you to navigate a vertical V notch and then make a hard left over another V notch. Be ready for the body damage because it is on its way.
10. Hard Spot - Easier Route
(0.81 mi)
The trail that keeps on giving. This is the 3rd waterfall from the bottom. This obstacle offers two lines - the easy route and the hard route. The easy line (if you want to call it that) has many large 36 inch plus boulders in the path and a 4-foot waterfall that is off-camber. If you take your time and have a little help from a spotter, most vehicles can make it through without body damage.
11. Northern Trailhead to Bismarks Backdoor - Stay East
(1.55 mi)
Bismarks Backdoor rejoins the trail here. From here you head east towards the Bismark Mine.
12. Bismarck Mine
(1.72 mi)
One of the larger mines in the area, the Bismarck Mine was closed (dynamited) to prevent any incidents inside. Even though it was closed, there are still plenty of areas to explore. As always with mines, travel in pairs, make sure people know where you are and have a flashlight.
13. North End of Doran
(2.42 mi)
On top of the hills above Doran, this spot provides a great 360-degree view of the area.
14. Odessa Canyon Connector
(2.74 mi)