Moab 2016 - official thread for details, etc....: 05/14/2016 12:00 AM - 05/22/2016 12:00 AM

[duhgbert]

So...as a total NEWB to 'Zu Zoo and "wheeling", I have some questions I hope y'all will tolerate.

1. How does this work in general? Is there a predetermined daily schedule or more like a breakfast meet-up every day to decide what trails to hit? I'll be basing the rig at the KOA 4 miles south of town (unless I can finagle a deal with the hotel to use their parking lot & lobby!), so I'll need to know where to go or how to stay in touch. I'm open to adding some numbers to my cell if anyone wants to PM me.

2. Does the Zoo include venturing into both Arches AND Canyonlands National Parks? Does it include either?!?

3. Any general tips on what to bring fo' sho'? Things that a person might not normally bring along for basic camping (sun protection, bug spray, food & water...gas & oil)

Thanks...I'm super excited to make this event and see some great stuff along the way & back. Time to get #earthboundtravel on another adventure!!!

[VX KAT]

So...as a total NEWB to 'Zu Zoo and "wheeling", I have some questions I hope y'all will tolerate.

1. How does this work in general? Is there a predetermined daily schedule or more like a breakfast meet-up every day to decide what trails to hit? I'll be basing the rig at the KOA 4 miles south of town (unless I can finagle a deal with the hotel to use their parking lot & lobby!), so I'll need to know where to go or how to stay in touch. I'm open to adding some numbers to my cell if anyone wants to PM me.

It's not that formal. The gang always hangs out every evening (usually just in the motel parking lot) and different groups informally form and decide what trails they're doing. Usually the groups are similar skill /equipment level. THere's always a "newb" group and an "easier" trail is picked. usually it's Hell's Revenge or Fins-N-Things.
Tuesday has traditionally been for a "VX only" run that any stock VX can do, but since there's so many VXs and other Zus that come, it's really now just a general Zu group and usually do an easier trail. If there's too many people in the group, we've found it's best to break it up into 2 groups as a big group takes ALOT longer and it gets kind of boring having to wait and wait.
As the week goes on, seems people tend to do the harder and harder trails. Some go on an overnight trail (White Rim), that's farther away.
The evening socializing in the parking lot is quite fun and spirited, and alcohol may be involved.
Usually doesn't break up until past midnight, but you can always leave at any time.


2. Does the Zoo include venturing into both Arches AND Canyonlands National Parks? Does it include either?!?
Does NOT include ARCHES, but there's one trail in Canyonlands (IIRC Elephant Hill) that actually goes into the N.P. NO dogs are allowed in NP so can't bring a dog on the trail in Canyonlands.

3. Any general tips on what to bring fo' sho'? Things that a person might not normally bring along for basic camping (sun protection, bug spray, food & water...gas & oil)
There's a very detailed list of stuff to bring....I'm not sure you can find it searching so I'll post it again here today. You probably could go to a previous Moab thread from prior years, I've included it in them, so you may find it that way.

Thanks...I'm super excited to make this event and see some great stuff along the way & back. Time to get #earthboundtravel on another adventure!!!

Also, plan on bringing a lunch/food/drink with you when you leave in the morning. There's a supermarket down the street and lots of peeps buy like a hoagie/hero/sub sandwhich there. It probably goes without saying, but BRING LOTS OF WATER! (And bring plenty of oil for your VX too.)

It's a very relaxed, informal, jovial group of people with lots of fun and laughing. Some bring some food to eat in the evening, but usually a few people group up and go to dinner somewhere together..."Milt's" is famous for it's great burgers, and there's all kinds of other places. Pizza and Italian are 2 of our group favs, and we usually go with a group.

[duhgbert]

Thanks so much VX KAT...that helps a lot. I was planning a grand trip of the National Parks around a training in Vegas. I couldn't do it because the remanufactured engine I had to install didn't even make it to Austin and back. Engine #3 seems to be fine, but we're going to do the oil and see if there are metal flakes again.

I own a travel agency and it's the 100th anniversary of the National Parks system. 'Zu Zoo looks awesome, but I can't imagine not hitting those two while we're right between them (I'm getting Mesa Verde in along the way from Dallas,too...then Monument Valley on the drive home).

It doesn't seem like many (any?) others are backcountry capable or willing, but there is a 100 mile loop in Canyonlands called White Rim Road, with the ability for "high clearance 4-wheel drive" vehicles to drive down Lathrop Canyon to the shores of the Colorado.

I'm probably looking at blending things like that and some Arches driving/hiking with 'Zu Zoo events first. That way y'all can teach me how to drive this beast 1/2 as good as it's previous owner Ryan did at Uwharrie!

[VX KAT]

I'm pretty sure White Rim is the name I couldn't recall, it's the one they camp overnight. BigSwede would know for sure, he's done it many times.

ABSOLUTELY plan on doing Arches and Canyonlands...I answered the question if the ZuZoo peeps do a trail there......no trail in Arches, and I explained the Canyonlands trail. There's plenty of time for you to go visit them however.
Arches is only about a 2 hour drive through, if you don't stop to go hiking etc....just to give you some perspective and time planning.
Canyonlands is much larger.

Backcountry capable or willing??? Most attendees are there for the wheeling. Many have been there many times, so they've already seen the sites, but noobes almost always visit the N.P.s

Absolutely do Monument Valley! It's one of the most majestic places I've ever seen. We lived in Plano for many years and loved going to Big Bend frequently....too bad many people don't visit it because it's so far from everything....that made it even better for us! We'd stay in Alpine for a night and some other great towns along the way.
....but when we moved to AZ in '08, and first drove through Monument Valley, OMG, it's gorgeous and amazing! Lucky for me, we have to go through Monument Valley on the way to/from Moab! Double score! We're leaving for home Thursday, if that overlaps with your plans, maybe we can caravan to Monument Valley.

One thing I forgot to mention...usually in the evening there's some wrenching going on ...whether it's new mods, repairs, upgrades or changes...

Uwharrie and Moab are vastly different terrains, so you'll get to experience something that's found almost no where else! Slickrock!

You're going to have a fantastic trip, no doubt about it!

[VX KAT]

.
MOAB
Thought I'd post several different MOAB prep lists.
Some stuff is for wheeling & recovery, some for plain emergency, and some info just for info.


MOAB PREP LISTS:

1) http://www.vehicross.info/showthread...ight=MOAB+LIST


2) http://www.vehicross.info/showthread...=moab+cb+radio


3) http://www.vehicross.info/showthread...ht=moab%20prep


TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Trail Etiquette
ALWAYS One of the most common and most commonly broken rules on any trail ride is to always keep the vehicle that is behind you in your rear view mirror. In this way, the group will always be together -- if the person behind you slows down, you should slow down, and this will cause a chain reaction to the whole group. This is especially important at trail intersections. If you lose sight of the vehicle in front of you, let the driver know to slow down -- another great reason to have a CB. This in turn will work its way up to the trail leader and no one will get lost. Do not follow too closely either, especially while going UPHILL. The truck in front may need to roll back to take a different line. When you make it up over an obstacle, you need to wait for the next vehicle in line to make it, so if a strap is needed you can assist. If those below you can't see over the top of an obstacle, let them know when it's clear at the top.


SHACKLES, TOW STRAPS, TOW EQUIPMENT:
http://www.vehicross.info/showthread...ecovery-Setups


PICS OF WHERE SHACKLES/D-RINGS/CLEVIS HOOKS GO:
http://www.vehicross.info/showthread...355#post184355


SOME GOOD/GENERAL INFO

http://www.4x4wire.com/isuzu/trails/moabzu5/

http://www.4x4wire.com/isuzu/trails/moabprep/

http://www.4x4wire.com/trail/technique/spotting99/


YES! You won't regret it! Definitely something to experience at least once.

KEEP IN MIND: You DO NOT have to tear up your truck to have a ton of fun. Some of the gang go on the crazy trails, some of us more sane individuals (well, that's debatable)...but I digress....some of us go on great trails, with some great rocks, ledges, and the scenery is magnificent.

MANY 1st timers (incl me) went totally stock and did fine. On the Tuesday of the week, we used to go on the "VX Only Run"...but it's now kind of been renamed the "Zu's" only and it's always a trail a total stocker can handle.
My VX was not lifted but did upsize the tires a bit, gained about 1" - 1 1/4" height...and wow, did that little inch make a difference!

BTW, can you tell we have a lot of good fun and laughs while hanging with the gang on the stoop?........
If you come, you can do as little or as much as you want! There's often an "open seat" in somebody's rig that you're welcome to ride along!