WeBeJeepin’ Moab

I mentioned in a previous post about the Mash Potato trail. This was a trail that Jim has taken us on and he had been calling S&M trail. Upon looking at maps, it was determined that it is in fact called Mash Potato and is designated a motorcycle track (for dirt bikes and the like).

A group made up of 4 rigs went out to get GPS waypoints and mark the trail in order to report back to the BLM  in hopes to get the trail designation changed for all motorized vehicles.

This route is called Mash Potato due to the clumps and lumps of sandstone which resemble mashed potatos.

This is really a beautiful trail and should be opened to all motorized traffic. Stay tuned for more information.

Trail Reports

Last Saturday, February 21st, Jim and Ber struck off to explore some trails North and West of Moab.

They discovered lots of remnants of time past including buildings and mines. Do you think this house will qualify for some economic stimulus?

After quite a bit of exploring, they came upon the White Wash Sand Dunes. These dunes are located 48 miles from town and are between Moab and Green River, Utah. This is a popular area for ATV’s and there are many trails in the area.

Trail Reports

A group of 7 rigs showed up at the Cinema on Sunday to run the Moab Rim. Melanie was NOT one of them. Guess she heard too many scary stories and chickend out, maybe next time!

It was a chilly day, especially in the shade but the group began working its way up the rim.

Rick had a little problem just after the Devil’s Crack…………there goes the old shock! Can ya see it?

Anyway, after a failed attempt to remove it, Rick tied it up with his super gauge wire ( by the way, if you EVER need wire, Rick carries at least 3 kinds in bulk)

After a promise to not stop again until we hit warmer sunlight, we were off.

Up to the “Z” turn.

Everyone made it up without a problem. Once we hit the sun, things warmed up significantly.

We made it to the top of the Rim and began working our way towards “Tire Test Hill”. Ber got stuck on a large rock which rolled underneath his Jeep. Rick needed to give him a little pull.

Here’s Jim going up Tire Test Hill. His tire did bark so he did not pass the test. He didn’t seem too worried about it though. In fact, I think he said, “who the hell cares?”

At the bottom of the slickrock, Ber took us by foot on an old Jeep track that is now closed. In order to get GPS waypoints, he put on his special “hat”. (circa 1957) Looking good Ber!

Over hill and dale, who can keep up with 84 years young Ber Knight? Not our group, that’s for sure. See him at the top of the hill all alone?

Jim is standing on a point where you can still see gouges in the rock from the ghosts of Jeeps past.

We came to a spot that I believe is called Egg Ranch fin. If that’s not right, then it’s called Egg Plant Arch, one of the two anyway. The Jeeps used to drive the narrow fin out to this overlook before heading back to another spur.

Here’s a view of how the Jeeps would drive off the fin, heading back towards the main trail. Apparently this was part of the Moab Rim trail, way back in the day. Ber thinks it could have been kept open, if someone had been paying attention. This is an important lesson for us to watch what’s going on and do our part in letter writing and trail preservation.

After some more hiking, we came to the main obstacle of this track that’s called one of the following:

Jethro

Death Row

Death Roll

I never did hear correctly so I say pick the one you like the best and go with it. Jeeps used to drive down this obstacle, maybe one or two made it back up. Right on the other side of Jim is a nasty drop off that made this an intimidating obstacle. Since the trail is now closed, we’ll never know…..maybe someday it’ll re-open?? Probably not but we can hope.

After the hike, it was back to the rigs for some well deserved lunch. Then off down the sand hill and across this little tippy place. Gary Lee shows us how it’s done.

Now, back down the Rim and over the “Z” turn. Larry commented that it looks different in the day time.

Jeff  got a decent wheel lift coming over the Devil’s crack but I didn’t catch it with a photo.

Great trail. Thanks Ber for the great hike and showing us some Jeeping history!

Melissa

Trail Reports

Unfortunately, this author had to miss Sunday’s trail. Sometimes, I’ve just got to work, seems wrong but true.

Jim sent me some photos and a trail summary so I will try to do some remote reporting, we’ll see how it goes. Five rigs reported to the South Shell Station to go out and run Flat Iron Mesa backwards. The group included: Larry, Rick, Ber & Charlotte, Susan, and Jim.

Jim took the lead and began the route south to north. Whether purposeful or on accident, a few side trails were explored in the process but everyone eventually made it to the narrow spot just before Easter Egg hill. According to the photos, everyone survived this squeeze too.

Susan and Cheyanne made it.                                      Ber and Charlotte did too!

Rick made it as well.

I think this is a shot of the approach to Easter Egg Hill but I could be wrong.

The county road was reached around lunchtime so Ber suggested a break at the overlook of Hatch and Kane Creek Canyons. It was a great overlook but apparently the weather, which was overcast, started getting worse with some drizzle and colder temperatures.  They say a bad day Jeepin’ is better than the best day at work………I’m jealous……

The rigs were circled while everyone noshed.

I think a good time was had by all. Is anyone keeping track of Jim’s trail numbers?? Is this 14 or 15?

See ya on the trail! Unless I have to work….

Melissa

Trail Reports

A large group of 14 rigs met at the City Market on Saturday morning to run Where Eagles Dare. This was a Red Rock 4 Wheelers trail day and the we be jeepin group decided to tag along for this fun trail, led by Dan Mick.

The Where Eagles Dare trail turns off of Golden Spike trail and isn’t very long but the views and slickrock driving is impressive and a little intimidating. We began at the Poison Spider trailhead and started our way up.

Up to the Waterfall feature, everyone made it, no trouble….

Next, we were quickly over to the Wedgie obstacle and again, no problem for the group. Looks like Moab Rush Hour!

We got up on the Mesa and stopped to pose our rigs for a group photo…

The group continued on to the Golden Spike turn-off. An impressive slickrock climb, called the Launching Pad was a first time for guest Bill and family.

This is a shot of the 3 Samurais just before reaching “Zuki” hill. They don’t look too nervous.

Here’s a shot of Jeff trying out Zuki hill. BE CAREFUL!

Leaving Golden Spike trail, the group heads over to Where Eagles Dare. This slippery slickrock dome is called Where Eagles Dare. Most took the Dare and all lived to tell the tale.

Lunchtime. Not a very scenic spot but we were hungry. Just kidding….it’s freakin gorgeous! Looking down you can see the Colorado, the railroad track, and Corona arch, even some hikers. Beautiful….beautiful.

After lunch, it was time for a trip up Phobia Hil. This is another slickrock dome that lets you wind your way to the top. Shortly after this obstacle, the group split in two. Some decided to go back down Poison Spider route while others decided to continue onto Golden Spike, come down Rusty Nail, and then out Gold Bar to Geminii bridges. This is a longer route but full of really fun obstacles. Rusty Nail is one of my favorites!

First though, everyone wanted to have a pose or two crossing the Golden Crack….

After the Crack, we turned off the Golden Spike trail and onto the Rusty Nail trail. The first section of this trail feels tippy with the tip and sometimes a little slip bringing you close to the cliff…..this feeling gets some to cling to the rock wall to the left….Larry demonstrated this the best but I missed his photo so got Dar instead.

Now the group is working its way through No Left Turn. This obstacle when you’re going up is pretty obvious that you wouldn’t want to turn left or even go straight as the cliff’s right there. Going down the trail as we were, it should be called No Right Turn.

Lucy’s wondering what in the world’s gotten into us? She did take some good photos though!

Next we get to drop off an off-camber series of ledges.

The TJ’s got to bump their nose and tails a little…..or a lot.

Here’s the last obstacle, or if you’re going up it would be the first obstacle. After this we hightailed it back to Hwy 191 by Geminii Bridges Road. Jim was late for church….sorry Jim. At least we were out in the daylight and there were no casualties…..

What a great trail!!

Melissa

Upcoming Trails

Perhaps the trail titles sound like a midnight snack of an expectant mother? A group of 4 went out last Sunday, Feb. 1st to run the Pickle and what we now know is called the Mashed Potato trail. The Pickle is a personal favorite of mine. The day was nice and sunny so off we went.

The Pickle is a short trail with 4 decent obstacles and can be run in a good day in about 20-30 minutes. It was a good day.

This is a fun, little twisting area that’s usually good for a tire lift and some off-camber driving. Technically, it’s obstacle #2. I don’t know the name of it or if it has a name.

Jim likes to take the tough line……

Showin’ off……Jim’s not havin fun if he’s not in a tippy spot or two.

Onto what I hear is called the Pickle. (obstacle #4) This is a tough one if your rig is wide. Yes, Redroxx qualifies and it took me a while to get the right line. Jeff went right up though.

That’s the end of the Pickle. Next, we went over to an area Jim called S&M. Later it was confirmed that it’s called Mashed Potato, named after the lumpy slickrock domes. There’s one really deep hot-tub (today it was an ice tub) Jeff and Gary wanted to try it out. Jim and I ate lunch while these guys provided the entertainment.

Finally, after lunch, we went through part of the 3D trail. Jim took us over to an area he calls the Dugway. We went down and up again.

What a beautiful day! Is this a recurring theme?? U Betcha’, it’s almost spring in Moab. Come do a trail with us, the weather is fine!

See you on the trail.

Melissa

Trail Reports