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This challenging adventure loops over the rim of Big Mesa from Tusher Saddle to Battleship Mesa. You'll enjoy hours along a dramatic rim, continuous views, towering cliffs, colorful slickrock, tall spires and a sense of exploration. Challenges include tricky navigation, steep climbs, unstable slopes, scratchy overgrowth, frequent scrambling and vertical exposure. The wild rim can be dangerous and unpleasant at times but this is an exhilarating adventure if you have the skills and stamina to push through.
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open accessdogs welcomemar - novhigh clearance
If you have a 4WD vehicle with high clearance, you can drive the final Jeep road to a plaza of white sandstone just west of the Submarine Spires and start the hike from there as indicated.
You could even drive further and park where the road meets the first broad sandy wash that enters from the right. This is where you return to the road late in the hike, and starting from the wash would shorten the route by 1.2 miles (1.9 km) roundtrip. Just be sure to check the weather beforehand as it could be risky to leave your vehicle in wash if there's a chance of heavy rainfall.
If you don't have a 4WD vehicle with high clearance, you can still do the hike with some additional walking. Regular 2WD highway vehicles can drive BLM 137 / Dubinky Well Road to the junction with the final Jeep road. You could even drive partway along the Jeep road if you're mindful of rough and sandy spots. Starting from this vicinity would add up to 4.2 miles (6.8 km) roundtrip to the hike.
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