Doll House Road

So I've gotten conflicting info on whether the DHR is strictly high clearance 4WD all the way to the DH camp sites and trailheads to Spanish Flat and Water Canyon, vs. being possible w/ lower clearance and AWD (Subaru).  Assuming dry conditions here. Anybody have the word on this?  Thanks.

Fall before last I hiked from Chimney Rock down to Spanish Bottom via the Doll House and it looked like you would want real high clearance.  I’m not a terribly adventuresome driver though. 

Not done it - but I’ve been to Maze Overlook In my 4Runner several times, which is supposed to be much easier. I can’t even imagine doing that in a Subaru. Call Hans Flat Ranger Station - they’ll tell you.

Those roads change monthly, so it's hard to say for sure - but I'd say no way in hell ~8 yrs ago as my last time there - not even if you were willing to bend metal and had installed skid plates to keep from puncturing a pan.  It would probably also be one of the most expensive possible tows in the lower 48.  Maze roads are for-real.  If someone says it was possible, ask for the photo.  

You are getting heavily sandbagged by anyone who might encourage you to try getting to the Doll House in your 'Ru. I would advise against attempting to take your low clearance AWD Subaru out to the Doll House area. The Flint Trail approach from Hans Flat is rugged and tight. The road from Glen Canyon Rec. zone (Hite Marina area) is relatively smooth until you get to within a few miles of Tea Pot Rock and then it typically has pretty deep grooves and a tall crown in the middle. Once beyond Tea Pot Rock the "road" gets rugged for a handful of miles i.e. ledges, depressions, loose rocks, sandy, off-camber, steep pitches, narrow tight turns etc... It is one of the most remote areas in the lower 48.
Your Subaru would not set you up for success.

Jim Bouldin wrote: So I've gotten conflicting info on whether the DHR is strictly high clearance 4WD all the way to the DH camp sites and trailheads to Spanish Flat and Water Canyon, vs. being possible w/ lower clearance and AWD (Subaru).  Assuming dry conditions here. Anybody have the word on this?  Thanks.

Full 4x4 and high clearance absolutely mandatory. Flint Trail is no picnic and the 1.5 mile stretch getting around Teapot Rock is one of the most difficult and technical sections of road in all of Canyonlands NP. I can see an AWD Subie breaking CV joints, axles, or drive train.

This 17min vid will give you a good feel:

LMAO a subaru in the dollhouse LMAO

Marc801 C wrote: Full 4x4 and high clearance absolutely mandatory. Flint Trail is no picnic and the 1.5 mile stretch getting around Teapot Rock is one of the most difficult and technical sections of road in all of Canyonlands NP. I can see an AWD Subie breaking CV joints, axles, or drive train.

This 17min vid will give you a good feel:

That's a great (and informative) video, really enjoyed it--thanks Marc.

Jim Bouldin wrote: So I've gotten conflicting info on whether the DHR is strictly high clearance 4WD all the way to the DH camp sites and trailheads to Spanish Flat and Water Canyon, vs. being possible w/ lower clearance and AWD (Subaru).  Assuming dry conditions here. Anybody have the word on this?  Thanks.

Dolls House is high clearance 4wd. Absolutely mandatory. A Subaru will inevitably lead to a costly tow. Second the suggestion to call the Hans Flat Ranger Station. They are highly knowledgeable out there. 

  Goddamn it Utah, what the hell with the roads, you think you're Michigan or something?!  

I failed to mention that the approach will be from Hwy 95 near the river at Hite, not via Hans Flat.  I was aware that the Flint Trail approach from the latter was out of the question.  Sounds like it might be possible to within a few miles of Teapot Rock, but I will call Hans Flat whenever they reopen for business.  Thanks for everyone's input!