A unique Moab trip report

[Locomigo]

Day Three
Trails: Hole in the Rock and Hotel Rock

An absolute must do. Keith departed temporary w/family and headed to Natural Bridges while Kevin, John and I headed for Hotel Rock. Note: A full size would have a really, really rough time. Great scenery once again, an absolute solid 4 rating on a 5 scale, with a great surprise at the end of the trail. About 12 miles round trip in all. Great views of Arch Canyon. We finished this trail said goodbye to Kevin and Nan, then John, Janet & I were off to find camp for the night.

Arch Canyon Overlook




Kevin making his way up one of the many waterfalls




John on a waterfall


Hotel Rock




This photo ought to give you an idea of the steepness. I got over zealous and climbed up 2/3 thirds way while the top wasn't cleared yet;


Met up with a local wheeler

We first stopped at newspaper rock campground and found it closed so we headed for Lockhart basin and Hamburger Rock Campground. Space was available, we sat up camp and watched yet another spectacular view of Canyonlands. Very cool campsite.


View from the campsite



Day Four
Trail(s): Elephant Hill

John, Janet and I packed up camp and linked back up with Keith who was riding shotgun with Steve and his second gen Rodeo, also of the Colorado Zu Crew. Keith's rig was in Moab getting the exhaust fixed. We headed out for Elephant Hill and hiked the overlook as well. This trail would be rated a 3.0, but the scenery once again was spectacular.

Looking towards Chesler Park


Why they call it the Needles District


Yours truely at the entrance of the Silver Stairs


Steve on the Silver Stairs


The Confluence Overlook. Nice short hike


John coming back up the hill


{continues}

[Locomigo]

Day Five:
Trails(s): Hidden Canyon Overlook, Hidden Canyon Escape, Bartlett Overlook, Hidden Canyon, The Pickle (walked it), Tusher Tunnel, Seven Mile Rim, & Wipeout Hill.
Yes we covered 7 trails driving and 1 hiking all in 7.5 hours. Fifty three miles of trail. It was an absolute blast and great to see a lessor used area of the Moab Region. Most four wheelers stop south of 313 but not our crew, we wanted to see it all. Joining Keith, Steve and I were Tia's Father (also Steve) and Reid from SoCal in his 1st gen Amigo. During the high speed wash runs Reid managed to snap a CV Shaft so Tia’s Father assisted him off the trail as Keith, Steve, and I continued on.





Tusher Tunnel - Pretty cool tunnel probably 50 meters in length that leads to the next photo



The opposite side of this tunnel also has other openings that lead to different caverns

Seven Mile Rim overlooking Rt 191


Uranium Arch on Seven Mile Rim


This will get your heart rate going; Steve in his 2nd gen Rodeo taking on Wipout Hill. This is also one of those times that you wished you didn't skimp and went for the steel braided brake lines




Day Six;
Trail(s): Behind the Rocks

Today we join the masses of ZuZoo to run a more challenging trail, but yet very scenic at that. Nineteen vehicles in all, 20 if you count the J.O. who parked his rental car in the middle of the trail. This trail has some of the more dangerous obstacles in Moab to include High Dive, Up Chuck, and White Knuckle. Those three obstacles alone I've personally witnessed rollovers, mechanic catastrophes, and even air bags deploying.

Here's the reason why they call it Behind the Rocks


Corbin in his massively built 2nd gen Amigo taking on High Dive


Fernando in his absolutely exquisitely built 1st gen Amigo going down Roller Coaster.


Can't get much better than this for a Rodeo, Travis running 40's" on his 2nd gen coning down the shelf to White Knuckle Hill. No turning back at this point.


How about this for scenery, purple as far as you could see


Your's truly taking the Lowrider down the same shelf................"40's........We don't need no stinking 40's"


Michael in his sweet JK testing out a Nth Degree Prototype suspension system. I'd have to say it worked out flawlessly


{continues}

[Locomigo]

Day Seven
Trails(s): Bull Canyon, Little Canyon, Gold Bar Rim & Metal Masher

Today the Mason's from Trailseekers in Colorado decided to bring their three rigs out with us as well as Julie from the same club and Trail Damage with her XJ, and Mike from Minnesota in his Amigo. This is a great loop run through the very little used Little Canyon which connects Bull and Gold Bar just before Rusty Nail.

Mike coming off the final ledge just prior to Gold Bar Rim


One of the twins Dan (a.k.a. Tigger- you would have to see him drive that thing to understand why I nicknamed him that) coming off the same ledge. Congrats goes out to him as well for he graduates High School this month.


His twin sister Amanda who also graduates this month in her XJ.


Mid - Day we linked up with Sam & Debbie of the Utah4x4club, his brother John and wife (sorry, can't recall her name), and one other friend from colorado (can't recall his either) just prior to the goonie bird to make a run on Metal Masher.

Sam coming up Mirror Gulch


The other guy


The group shot at the overlook high above 191 with Moab in the background


Same spot, different perspective


We bypassed Widowmaker and took the quick way out due to Steve blowing out the rack in his steering on his second gen Rodeo, not to mention the fact he was losing gas from the fuel line quicker than I can fill a cup of water from my kitchen faucet.

Day Eight
Trails(s): Hurrah Pass, Chicken Corners, & Jackson's Hole
On day eight Keith & I were once again joined by the Mason's and Julie. We left out early this day, a first all week long in Moab for us, and headed towards the southwest end of town. We made quick time up Hurrah Pass, snapped a few photos, and then headed down Chicken Corners towards Jackson's Hole. Once we got to the entrance we were met with a gate that addressed "Private property and Bicycles Only). It also made it appear that it was private land for a Camel Adventure Lodge. I spotted a house in close proximity to the gate so Julie and I walked to the house to ask for permission to wheel on the land. Once sneaking pass the Security Tortoise (had to be there, pretty funny), we met up with the owner of the home, a really nice guy, and his name escapes me though. After giving us a tour of his home which was absolutely gorgeous he explained that it was a public access road and that there were no problems on wheeling it. Still always good to check when met with signage as such. Shortly we were off. For those that don't know the less traveled Jackson's Hole it would be the trail that is at the base of the 500' cliffs of the Cliff hanger Trail. Not a bad run, worth going once, probably not a again though.

Hurah Pass/Chicken Corners looking over the river towards Potash


You actually go around this Butte


If you blow this photo up you'll see the red TJ or YJ right of center towards the top of the photo on Cliff Hanger




Existing Jackson's Hole



Day Nine the final day
Trails(s): Green River Cut-Off, Wedge Overlook, & Buckhorn Wash

If you're like me and get bored out of your mind on that drive back from Moab, especially the 47 miles between I-70 and Wellington, try this route. 17 miles up Rt 6 from I-70 there is the trailhead for the Green River Cut-Off. It's not marked so you're going to have the have the way points. It's a great road to travel with great scenery and lots and lots of silt. If there is more than one vehicle in your group the vehicles in the back are going to get absolutely hammered with the stuff. In 3 tenths of a mile after you connect up with the Buckhorn Wash Trail you will be at a trail that leads to the Wedge Overlook. Unbelievable!!! I can't believe I've spent all these years wheeling in the Swell and never saw this. Definitely worth the trip just for that. Once you're done there you'll exit out of the swell via Buckhorn Wash to just north of Castledale. This section of Buckhorn wash there isn't much to see and can easily be driven at 50mph.

Green River Cut-Off


Wedge Overlook



That's it folks!

In conclusion I've been all around this world of ours and in all states but Alaska. In all my years of wheeling I've learned one thing quite quickly...........it's not about the challenge, it's not about the scenery.......what it's about is the company you keep. Next to my clubs Pony Express Blizzard Run of 2004 this was probably the next best wheeling trip that I've ever been on and with the exception that my wife could not accompany me on it. It would rate in the top 5 vacations of all time, bar none. Thanks goes to Keith in getting the idea rolling, thanks goes to John & Kevin for tagging along, committing early and sticking with it, and being great trail companions. Last a special thanks goes to the three wives (Tia, Janet, & Nan) that walked more miles in those days that would put most Airborne Rangers to shame, taking photographs and video documenting this wonderful trip, for without them we wouldn't be able to share the true essence of the trip with the masses. Can't wait for the next adventure guys!
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Thanks for letting me share guys, wished we would have caught up with you at some point during the week.

[nfpgasmask]

NICE DESERT COLLARD LIZARD! I was looking for those the whole time I was in Moab!

Lucky!

Bart

[biju]

looks fun.

-biju.

[Triathlete]

Great report. Thanks for sharing.

[TexVeX]

Great photos and interesting report. I am glad you posted it here.

[Dino]

Ahhh a virtual trip to the desert! Thanks!