Devil's Golf Ball

Overview

Devil’s Golf Ball (hoodoo) – also known as Happy Turk – is a mini tower in the Kane Creek Valley outside of Moab, UT. Though short (~30 feet on the uphill and ~40 feet on the downhill sides), this peculiar looking formation overhangs dramatically on all sides – it is essentially a ball sitting atop a cylindrical pedestal. This is no Moses or Castleton - but if you have an hour to kill in Moab and want a quick "mini-tower", this is your guy!

Getting There

From US 191 in downtown Moab, turn west onto Kane Creek Blvd. near the McDonalds. In a couple miles, the road reaches and shadows the Colorado River (side opposite to Wall Street). The pavement will end and you will pass the Cirque of the Climbables just after leaving the Colorado River (at Kane Springs), the Ice Cream Parlor, and eventually The Predator tower (a quarter mile away on the right). The valley opens up before The Predator (~3 miles from Kane Springs). At this point, look for the formation 200 yards away from road on the left (east side). Pensive Putterman tower (of equal stature) is immediately above the road on the right at this point. Either park here (~3 minute hike) or if using your car for aid (high clearance only), look for ATV trails just past the formation leaving the main road in direction of the formation. Make your way to the formation’s base using established roads ONLY.

Red Tape

None. This is BLM land. Tread lightly avoiding crypto soil and drive ONLY on established roads/tracks.

Camping

Many established and primitive campsites are available in and around Kane Creek Valley. Specifics (taken with permission from Dow's Ice Cream Parlor page - thank you!): Campgrounds are maintained by BLM’s Moab field office and cost $5 per vehicle. They have high end pit toilets, are open all year and have fire rings. Individual Campsites are available on a first-come/first-served basis. No reservations are accepted. Established: (1) Kings Bottom Camping Area = Kane Creek Rd, 2.8 miles from Hwy 191 (2) Moonflower Camping Area = Kane Creek Rd, 3.0 miles from Hwy 191 (3) Hunters Canyon Camping Area = Kane Creek Rd (dirt road access), 7.8 miles from Hwy 191 (4) Echo Camping Area = Kane Creek Rd (dirt road access), 8.0 miles from Hwy 191 Primitive: Kane Creek Crossing - there are approximately 28 sites located along Kane Creek where the Kane Creek Road crosses the water. These sites are free, but campers are required to carry out all garbage, including solid human waste. No wood cutting is allowed.

Mountain Conditions

Local climbing information can be obtained from the friendly folks in the local climb shop, Pagan Mountaineering located in Moab, UT. Their number is 435-259-1117. Also check: Moab Climate Summary Page. Moab area web-cam.

External Links

Only other reference to this formation I found on the web is on mountainproject.com: here.

Summit Route

One published route is listed for this formation (Bjornstad guidebook, see below): A0 or 5.?, 40 feet. Follow a 6-bolt ladder on the east side of the formation. The first bolt is WAY high – even stepping on the roof of our truck I could not reach it without a cheater stick. There was a long steel pole available at its base when we did it. Bjornstad’s guidebook (Desert Rock III: Moab to Colorado National Monument, ISBN 1-56044-754-0) gives this route a free rating of 5.8 – have fun with that!! Rap off the summit using two good bolts. Gear: A pick-up truck (+short cheater stick) or loooong cheater stick. Few quick draws.

Team Effort

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PellucidWombat - Nov 21, 2012 2:48 am - Hasn't voted

No Longer Vehicle Accessible

We tried driving to the base of this, and at the only promising road heading toward the formation was a road closure sign. At least the metal pole was still there! In the end we made it work with that.

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