The Grenadier On Elephant Hill, Canyonlands NP, The Needles District

[bikesandguitars]

Elephant Hill is a 6/10 Difficulty Rated 4x4 Trail in The Needles District of Canyonlands. It’s approximately 75 miles south and west from Moab. I took the Grenadier there last weekend. The Grenadier (Trial Master) had no problem keeping up with my buddy’s lifted Rubicon 392 with the exception of the infamous Devil’s Pocket section - and 85” wide, 30 foot section of trail that is notorious for body damage, or just trapping your vehicle until you’re willing to shear off a panel or two. I paid attention when the Ranger said our vehicles had to be under 85”. I measured the Grenadier at approximately 80”. I failed to see the placard on the overhead section that plainly said “84.9”….

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/1s32WR87wDM?si=RzMfYvvcIuAgRxD_

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZN93KJB-z90

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/_4dxISVvCHc?si=7AzrOnEw7q30qRfW

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/eCHSbjunl18?si=6tSkIaSAlMDczSAX

 

[Shopkeep]

You really get an appreciation for the power steering pump whine from these videos, but it’s more because the gas engine is so quiet. The extra noise from the diesel engine largely masks this whine, hence why it seems to be a much bigger issue is US than ROW?

 

[anand]

The Needles district is an absolute gem of an under undervisited area

 

[CRH]

You really get an appreciation for the power steering pump whine from these videos, but it’s more because the gas engine is so quiet. The extra noise from the diesel engine largely masks this whine, hence why it seems to be a much bigger issue is US than ROW.

Are you comments sarcastic/joking as I can't here any whine?
I can't here any with mine either.
Maybe i need a hearing test?

 

[Shopkeep]

Are you comments sarcastic/joking as I can't here any whine?
I can't here any with mine either.
Maybe i need a hearing test?

Watched all these vids on my phone and all I can hear of the vehicle is steering pump whine? Maybe it’s the phone speakers but it’s an iPhone 16 so reasonably clear for a phone.

 

[CRH]

Watched all these vids on my phone and all I can hear of the vehicle is steering pump whine? Maybe it’s the phone speakers but it’s an iPhone 16 so reasonably clear for a phone.

Thanks, turned phone right up and could make something out, definitely don't have that on mine.
Are the RHD & LHD the same pumps?

 

[Logsplitter]

I don’t have that whine on my petrol right hand drive version

 

[Shopkeep]

Thanks, turned phone right up and could make something out, definitely don't have that on mine.
Are the RHD & LHD the same pumps?

I would think they are the same. Complaints about the whine seem to come mainly from US customers so maybe their expectations are different than ROW or as I suggested the maybe it’s less noticeable on diesels which make up a large percentage of ROW vehicles. Or maybe the pump is in a different more exposed location on LHD vehicles?

 

[Shopkeep]

Thanks, turned phone right up and could make something out, definitely don't have that on mine.
Are the RHD & LHD the same pumps?

Just rewatched them with decent headphones and now get the bass of the engine, but the whine is still very prominent to me.

 

[CRH]

Just rewatched them with decent headphones and now get the bass of the engine, but the whine is still very prominent to me.

I don't have the best hearing, I don't understand the people that complain about the sound quality from the speakers, I had a descent vehicle sound system previously and don't really notice the difference. I just wish the volume control was a bit more sensitive rather then the big jumps from low volume

 

[Itsdchz]

Question: Did you air down? If so, what psi? Videos look like minimal air down, if any.

 

[bikesandguitars]

Question: Did you air down? If so, what psi? Videos look like minimal air down, if any.

I was at 20 psi all around. I only spun the wheels one time while I was pointed straight up and looking at nothing but blue sky.

 

[Zimm]

Are you comments sarcastic/joking as I can't here any whine?
I can't here any with mine either.
Maybe i need a hearing test?

my damage in certain tones is demonstrable from 556 and 45. some women, i can hardly frigging hear. (there's always a silver lining) ......you need a hearing test.

 

[CRH]

my damage in certain tones is demonstrable from 556 and 45. some women, i can hardly frigging hear. (there's always a silver lining) ......you need a hearing test.

Always look on the bright side
I can't here when there is other noise, can't separate it out. Also go a bit deaf on the left at the same time as my vision dims and blurs. As with your comment, my vehicle is RHD, and the wife sits on the left, works for a successful marriage

 

[Itsdchz]

I was at 20 psi all around. I only spun the wheels one time while I was pointed straight up and looking at nothing but blue sky.

Awesome- the BFG hold their own!! Way cool, thanks for sharing your fantastic runs!

 

[TCMColorado]

Elephant Hill is a 6/10 Difficulty Rated 4x4 Trail in The Needles District of Canyonlands. It’s approximately 75 miles south and west from Moab. I took the Grenadier there last weekend. The Grenadier (Trial Master) had no problem keeping up with my buddy’s lifted Rubicon 392 with the exception of the infamous Devil’s Pocket section - and 85” wide, 30 foot section of trail that is notorious for body damage, or just trapping your vehicle until you’re willing to shear off a panel or two. I paid attention when the Ranger said our vehicles had to be under 85”. I measured the Grenadier at approximately 80”. I failed to see the placard on the overhead section that plainly said “84.9”….

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/1s32WR87wDM?si=RzMfYvvcIuAgRxD_

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZN93KJB-z90

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/_4dxISVvCHc?si=7AzrOnEw7q30qRfW

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/eCHSbjunl18?si=6tSkIaSAlMDczSAX

Great stuff. The Elephant Hill loop is the perfect mix of fun terrain and scenic views. I last drove it around 12 years ago before a permit was required. Did you make it through Devils Pocket without any body damage?

 

[bikesandguitars]

Great stuff. The Elephant Hill loop is the perfect mix of fun terrain and scenic views. I last drove it around 12 years ago before a permit was required. Did you make it through Devils Pocket without any body damage?

I made it! But it was nerve wracking. We had to reposition several times. I only scraped the rear, driver’s side post on my roof rack. I’m sure I can get a new one from Rhino. Actually, the Rhino Rack saved me from more significant damage as the Grenadier tipped against the canyon wall. If it weren’t for the rack propping me up, I would’ve probably damaged the outer roof rail.

I highly doubt I would ever take the Grenadier through the Devil’s Pocket again - and I definitely do not recommend it. The Ranger warned that 85” was the max horizontal clearance. I took a tape measure to it before departure and measured approx 80” mirror-to-mirror. I failed to remember that the overhead panel on our truck displays 84.9” horizontal width.

Jeep’s and Bronco’s have a huge advantage as they’re slightly narrower on top. That little extra space to lean side-to-side makes all the difference in that section.

The only other damage was a few scrapes to the front skid plate, some gouges on the rock sliders and lots of fine, surface scratches along the side from tree branches.

I’m wondering if any other Grenadiers have done Elephant Hill?

 

[TCMColorado]

I made it! But it was nerve wracking. We had to reposition several times. I only scraped the rear, driver’s side post on my roof rack. I’m sure I can get a new one from Rhino. Actually, the Rhino Rack saved me from more significant damage as the Grenadier tipped against the canyon wall. If it weren’t for the rack propping me up, I would’ve probably damaged the outer roof rail.

I highly doubt I would ever take the Grenadier through the Devil’s Pocket again - and I definitely do not recommend it. The Ranger warned that 85” was the max horizontal clearance. I took a tape measure to it before departure and measured approx 80” mirror-to-mirror. I failed to remember that the overhead panel on our truck displays 84.9” horizontal width.

Jeep’s and Bronco’s have a huge advantage as they’re slightly narrower on top. That little extra space to lean side-to-side makes all the difference in that section.

The only other damage was a few scrapes to the front skid plate, some gouges on the rock sliders and lots of fine, surface scratches along the side from tree branches.

I’m wondering if any other Grenadiers have done Elephant Hill?

Bravo getting through Devil's Pocket with only some marks on the roof rack. Most people discount the fact that racks can very much serve as a skid plate for the roof.

Prior to seeing your post I had not really thought about how wide the Grenadier is. I have a Jeep TJ Unlimited in my stable (commonly called an LJ) and it is so narrow that I never give width any thought. I obviously need to be conscious of it when driving the Grenadier.

It seems certain you are the only one to take a Grenadier on the complete Elephant Hill loop. You need a special badge made up in recognition of the feat .