Description
Fins and Things is almost entirely on slickrock or very sandy dirt. Some of the climbs are aggravated by a loose sand approach, and there is some deep, loose sand. Please remember to stay on the marked route and follow the one-way signs as vehicles are allowed only on designated routes within the Sand Flats Recreation Area. Remember, indiscriminate vehicle tracks represent the theft of beauty which you came here to see. This trail can be accomplished by most 4x4 vehicles and most harder obstacles have a bypass.
Fins and Things is located within the Sand Flats Recreations Area and managed through a partnership between Grand County and the BLM. All 4X4s, ATVs, motorcycles, and bikes must remain on designated roads and trails at all times. There are no open play areas within Sand Flats. Penalties for violations of trail use can include, among other things, forfeiture of vehicle. Please Stay on the trail!
There is a fee to use this recreation area. The fee is $5.00 a day or $10.00 a week per vehicle. You can also purchase an annual pass for $25.00. There is a pay station at the entrance to the Sand Flats Recreation Area.
Waypoints
1. Fins and Things Trailhead
(0 mi)
Stay on the Sand Flats Road for 2 more miles, and turn right into Campsite Cluster E. The trail starts to the right of campsite #6. You will find the start of the trail easily and it is well marked.
2. View Point
(0.6 mi)
Almost immediately you are forced to climb your first "Slick-rock" formation and it seems a little daunting. Just follow the black marks from past vehicles to the top. Note: If you don't air down your tires to between 8-15 lbs. you may experience some tire yelping as you climb the fins on this trail. Using your 4x4 low range and aired down tires will make this seem effortless and your vehicle will thank you.
3. Steep Climb
(0.7 mi)
Another steep climb with a couple of different bypasses.
4. Steep Climb with Bypass
(0.9 mi)
This smaller obstacle is made a little tougher with some uneven shelving thrown in. There is a bypass to the left.
5. The Wall
(1.9 mi)
This uphill section is the steepest yet/about a 55-degree incline. It helps the driver to have a spotter as at this angle seeing where you are going is impossible. Slow and steady on the gas, let the tires find their traction points, you might encounter some tire yelping. There is a bypass to the right, but if you have a ground guide then give it a try.
6. Another Hill Climb
(2.6 mi)
This one is fun, a little longer than the last but definitely navigable without a guide. You will then proceed down into a Campground called "Loop H" and then out to "Sand Hill Flats Rd" to head for stage 2 of this trail.
7. Intersection - Sand Flats Road
(2.7 mi)
Here you will intersect back further up "Sand Hill Flats Rd". Make a right turn and go about .6 miles to continue, the trail starts again on the left.
Note: This is a "one-way" trail system you cannot go back the way you came.
8. Trail Entrance - Stage II
(3.1 mi)
This is the entrance to continue on Fins and Things, Stage II.
9. Very Mini Lion's Back
(3.2 mi)
Here you will be on top of a "Mini Lions-back" with about a 50-degree downgrade and very steep 60-70 degree side drops. The key here is to just follow the tire tracks, be in Low-1 and allow the transmission and braking to bring you down. For those with "Descent Assist" this is a perfect place to use this feature and relieve some anxious feelings.
10. Porcupine Rim Trailhead
(4.2 mi)
Here you will encounter a T - intersection. The trail coming in from the left is another entrance to Fins and Things from Porcupine Rim 4x4 trail. Turn left here to stay on the trail.
11. Vista View
(4.7 mi)
This spot was given a waypoint for its spectacular views in all directions. Jump out and take some photos.
12. Tricky Descent
(5 mi)
This obstacle is made a little scary with about a 1- 2-foot ledge at the end. Careful braking at the drop makes it pretty easy. Don't forget about your rear tires, slow and careful will keep your tail-pipe from becoming a "Duck-call". There is a bypass if you stay to the left, but come on give her a try!
13. Intersection - Overlook Spur
(5.5 mi)
This intersection is with an interior trail that leads out to an overlook for pictures. Stay to the right and up the hill.
14. Early Exit to Sand Flats Road
(5.6 mi)
This trail intersection takes you back out onto Sand Flats Road if you want an early bail-out point. For the brave…..stay right.
15. Hill Climb/Elbow Right
(5.7 mi)
This hill climb is long and steep with an elbow turn to the right. It looks tougher than it really is. Stay on the tracks that have been made on the rock and hang on. Again slow and steady on the gas.
16. Scenic Overlook
(5.7 mi)
This waypoint was put in for its beauty in all directions. Another great place for pictures of the area
17. Hill Climb with Shelves on Top
(5.8 mi)
This hill climb seems tough but no worse than what you've already accomplished. Just keep a gentle even pressure on the gas and let the tires and gearing work for you.
18. Brontosaurus Rock
(6.6 mi)
Brontosaurus Rock is a rock formation that sort of looks like a dinosaur, it is very interesting to say the least. There are other very pretty gully pics and the possibility to explore on foot is always there.
19. Hill Climb
(6.9 mi)
Now this hill climb I was not able to navigate in that I stopped after getting my front tires up on the shelf at the top. I started to spin and the front tires drifted to the left. If I stayed on the gas I would have rolled it. If you find yourself in a similar situation on this obstacle just back down and try again. The trick to this is to keep momentum so your back wheels bump up. The bypass is to the left if you just don't want to chance it.
20. Steep Descent
(7.3 mi)
This hill descent has about a 2-foot drop at the end. Just carefully let yourself down and don't forget to be gentle to the back wheels as well.
21. Scenic Overlook
(7.4 mi)
Another place for the spectacular views.
22. Scenic Descent
(7.7 mi)
This is a long slow descent over several fins and makes a perfect picture if you are following other jeeps.
23. Skinny Bridge
(7.8 mi)
This is kind of looks scary until you realize that the rock is not loose on either side of the bridge looking formation. Just stay centered and go slow. If you are driving a vehicle with a wider stance than a standard Jeep JK this might be a little tougher because you will have your tires going low on both sides of this narrow bridge. Please use a ground guide and be careful.
24. Kenny's Climb
(8.2 mi)
This the last steep climb on the trail and is known as Kenny's Climb. The bypass is straight ahead and loops around to the top of this climb. It really looks a lot steeper than it is. The photo here is of me climbing and you can see it's about a 45-degree climb.
25. Fins and Things End
(9.2 mi)
This is the end of the trail. Turn right back onto Sand Flats Road, It's just a few miles back to where you started.
