WeBeJeepin’ Moab

Since Saturday was a Driver’s Choice day between Hey Joe and Pritchett, 2 rigs decided to go along with Jeff Stevens to check the trail conditions on Pritchett and do a little work at Chewy if needed.

 

Once again, someone had decided to use one of our posts as a winch point, pulling it down and causing the cable to separate. The guys did their best to get it patched back together but the club needs to schedule another work day out here and really get it done right.

 

 

It’s pretty easy to see why folks want to hug the left line going up this nasty obstacle and our fence seems to make a convenient winching spot. Even crawling it correctly, your rig often slides into a tippy spot that can cause some pretty big wheel lifts. Jeff is pulling out John’s winch line to the correct winch anchor, (not a fence post) located at the top of Chewy.

 

 

After the work was done, it was time for Jeff to test out his new 40″ tires and Pritchett Canyon is a great trail to do it.

 

 

The threesome made it to Rocker Knocker. Here’s John giving it a try……

Here’s a video of Jeff driving up Rocker Knocker. Click on this link: Jeff drives Rocker Knocker

After lunch, it was off to Axle Hill! This obstacle was named after Susan, who broke 3 axles here one day. It’s easy to see how it earned its name. WHOO! HOO!

 

 

 

Don’t forget the infamous Rock Pile. Here’s an action series of Jeff climbing it.

Here’s a video of Gary Lee giving it a try. Click on this link. Gary Lee Drives Rock Pile

 

 

Here’s a view from the Top of Pritchett Canyon. Always a great place to find yourself, especially when there’s plenty of daylight and your rig is still running strong!

From here, the group went through Hunter Canyon, then up White Knuckle and out to the County Road. Another great trail!

Trail Reports

A group of 6 rigs decided to go out with Ber to check out the Hey Joe Canyon trail. This was an EJS pre-run and we expected that we might have to move a few rocks to get this trail good and open for Safari which begins this Saturday.

After the journey back to the top of the trail, we worked our way down the cliff edge. I tried to imagine ore trucks driving out of this canyon from the mines below and decided that I’m glad to be in my little Jeep.

 

 

The scenery is just spectacular and soon we were down in the canyon driving literally feet from the Green River.

 

 

Hey Joe turned out to be a pretty easy trail, although there were a few places where full sized rigs got a squeeze or two and of course, the brush gave most of us some desert pinstriping.

 

 

After driving through some scratchy tamarisk groves (mostly depleted now thanks to our little, beetle friends), we began to see signs of past mining days. It was really interesting to hear all of Ber’s stories.

 

 

We took a few minutes before lunch to explore around all the abandoned equipment. The guys seemed especially interested in climbing in, on, and around the machinery.

 

 

I guess technically this is not trash but artifacts? Sorry, it looks like trash to me…..

 

 

The picture below shows all that’s left of the mine shafts. As you can see, they have been filled in……I suppose this is for the public’s safety?

 

 

Here’s the group at the lunch spot. It was a warm and beautful T-shirt day.

 

 

Hey Joe has high canyon walls. I love the contrast between the redrock and that endless blue desert sky! Not sure what the metal piece was used for but it looked artistic to me…..

 

 

I can’t resist putting Gene’s little rig into this report.  Gene says that when he moved to Moab, he bought a garage for his rigs and was pleased to find out that there was a house was attached to it. Every once in a while, he brings out one of his toys and this Willy’s was the perfect width for this narrow trail, completely at home on this historic mining trail. Very awesome Gene!

 

Another perfect Jeeping day, although a “little” dusty. Okay, it was REALLY dusty but still lots of fun! The trail turned out to be in great shape, we didn’t have to move any rocks. Thanks Ber for a great day.

Melissa

Trail Reports

Well, this author is going to try and do a remote report. The WeBeJeepin group went out on Saturday to run Rusty Nail and ended up doing part of Golden Spike, Gold Bar, Where Eagles Dare and Poison Spider. My facts on this trail run are sketchy at best so let’s tell the tale with pictures, shall we? (The following statements may or may not be true…..it’s up to you to determine)

 

 

Here is Jeff in the Dirt Squirrel. He is showing off his new 40″ tires (Holy Cow!) which make 4 & 5′ rock shelves look like speed bumps. This is the first obstacle on Rusty Nail and Jeff made short work of it! Nicely done!

 

 

This is Mark Bryson, I believe I have the name right as we’ve never met. He’s giving the first obstacle a shot too.

Mark has put his own trail report up, check it out for some great photos and the true story (if there is such a thing). http://www.marbryson.com/mar09.html

 

 

Here’s Susan tackling the same obstacle. Nice to see her out on the trails again after the long winter! Either the pup is growing up or the weather is warmer……or both! Hurrah for having another girl driver back!

 

 

So, here’s the story of Rick…..Rick, I TOLD you Rusty Nail would be interesting going up! WOW! Sorry I missed it.

Okay, I don’t really know the whole story but apparently Rick rolled back into this hole and his Jeep took a little siesta! I hear the Jeep is no worse for wear, a couple marks of honor! Congrats Rick, I think this is your first flop? Also, I can’t resist asking…..did you use a little of that bulk wire to fix anything?? Sorry, sorry…..but at least you didn’t stop (flop) in the cold shade. (See Moab Rim report for explanation…..)

 

 

 

Here’s Gary Lee in Huggy Bear starting up an obstacle. Looking good!

 

 

Here’s John from Arizona. He and his wife are frequent visitors to Moab, usually setting up camp on the old runway down in Spanish Valley. They brought their big rig out to play! Hopefully I’ll get to see it next weekend?!?

 

 

Here’s Susan coming down the famous “No Left Turn” obstacle on Rusty Nail. This photo really shows why….one wrong move and down the cliff you go……

 

 

Here’s a group photo….I believe this is the slickrock flat section marking the end of Rusty Nail. Does that make it 6 rigs total? Sorry I missed a beautiful day with warm weather and good company.

Thanks all and see ya on the trail!

Melissa

Trail Reports

The morning of Saturday, March 7th dawned sunny and a little cool but March is here so the weather should warm up later in the day, right? WRONG!

Well, several of us were fooled by the sunshine and took our doors off (or already run with our doors off) to enjoy all that Metal Masher had to offer. Not good. As the group of 9 rigs headed up 191 to the Gemini Bridges parking area, a dark and ominous cloud was seen. By the time we got to airing down, the snow had started—hard, little pellets and even thunder.

But we are devoted wheelers so off we go.

Look at these crazy pictures……Jim asked if anyone wanted to quit but there was no reply.

Here’s about the time I went for a second coat.

We made it to Rock Chucker and it was covered with snow, making the obstacle a bit interesting. Only a few gave it a try. 

Here’s Gary Lee giving it a try. Does Jim look like he’s enjoying spotting?

 You can see how much fun this was without doors. But, there’s no crying in rockcrawling.

After an interesting descent down the back side of Rock Chucker, everyone began working their way through Mirror Gulch and up to this unnamed obstacle which is basically a short cut in the switchback. A few of the bigger rigs gave it a try while the rest went around. Jeff shows us how it’s done.

We ran along the cliff edge in the fog and down to the county road. Then a last second decision was made to give Widowmaker a try. Most of the group went around to watch us from the top. Those who stayed at the bottom included Jim, Gary Lee, Jeff, myself, and Bill Boyd who got a side wall slice for his efforts.

Here’s Jim’s first slippery attempt. He tried 2-3 times and then decided to eat his sandwich and watch everyone else try it.

Next went Redroxx. I don’t have a photo as I was driving and most of the group was still working their way around via the bypass. So, I’m not sure if there are any photos.

But, being the trail author, I am bound to tell the truth and here’s just how it went. After my 4th or 5th attempt, I got on the line and mashed the accelerator and Redroxx climbed it.

Now it was Gary Lee’s first try ever on Widowmaker. He was unsuccessful and had a few tippy moments. Jeff called him off and Redroxx pulled him up.

Jeff was next and had a heck of a time. Check out one of Jeff’s scary attempts. I expected a roll over but he saved it. I think the mud made him slide sideways but also kept him from some body damage.

Okay, I’m not going to say who the only rig (Redroxx) was to make it up. But, there was some towing involved…..primarily of Samurais…….

This author is merely smiling here, not gloating at all. The Club President put me on a year’s probation for asking if Redroxx is now a Samurai recovery vehicle? Maybe I just drove it like a girl?

Here was Jim’s reaction when all the Sammie’s needed a tug.

After everyone was safely up the Widowmaker, we stopped for lunch.

Then if was off to the county road, where the last couple miles were easy but extremely muddy. YIKES!

Although it was cold, snowy, wet & muddy, it was a great trail and a great day! Good times.

See you on the trail!

Melissa

Trail Reports

Now I know why they call it Dry Mesa (cough, cough). Good thing we ran this trail at the beginning of March, I can’t imagine what it would be like in August. But, a good trail none the less. Ber Knight was the trail leader on Sunday, March 1st and we got a great narration from him over our CBs of some of the typical tourist sights while driving through Arches Park. I especially liked the Brigham Young monument!

We aired down and began the trail in the Delicate Arch Viewpoint parking lot in Arches National Park. Here you actually drive over the curb, following a dirt track and make your way back to a closed gate which leaves the park.

Now we entered an area called Cache Valley. This area is mineral rich with lots of bright green soil. The trail takes several routes but all seem to follow the wash and come back together until you come to the narrow rocky climb up to Dry Mesa.

The trail gets even rockier and steeper from here, making it a bit tough for some to get up.

Once the top was reached, there is a mixture of dirt track and slickrock. Here we are making our way across a slickrock section out to the overlook.

Some interesting views of the Windows section of Arches can be seen from this trail.

We stopped for lunch at a beautiful cliff edge that overlooks the Colorado River below.

Oops! Someone caught me noshing on an apple. Yikes! Oh well, you get the perspective of the cliff behind me.

After lunch, Ber told us that he was taking us to a scenic overlook. I mean, what could be more scenic than the lunch spot we’re leaving?

I am told that the word mesa is Spanish for table and this cliff edge emphasized the fact that we have been driving on a big, flat table. What a plunge straight down to the river below!

Views into Castle Valley were highlights of this stop.

After we all took in the view, we meandered our way back down the same road we climbed to access Dry mesa. Then back out to the Delicate Arch parking lot and back the paved park road to Moab. This is a beautiful but rarely traveled area and I for one was glad to have the opportunity to see it. Thanks Ber!

Melissa

Trail Reports

It’s always nice to be invited to a preview and although there wasn’t much fanfare, we had a great day on Saturday running Behind the Rocks with Gene Day!

Gene is going to be leading this trail on the Wednesday of Easter Safari and he wanted to see what winter had done to the trail and refamiliarize himself with the terrain. Of course, he twisted the arm of the club and a few of us showed up in support of his trip.

In fact, there were 9 rigs, a really good turn out for what is widely considered a pretty tough trail.

Melanie showed up in her 2008 JK Rubicon and was the littlest Jeep in the group. Now before she gets upset, let me give you a little history of where I’m coming from. My blue Jeep, Moab TJ, was called (maybe still is) the “little Jeep that could” and it wasn’t until Pritchett that I realized it was too small for my lofty Jeepin goals and invested in Redroxx. So, what I’m saying is, you can do a lot of hard, tough trails with a smaller vehicle if there’s a good driver behind the wheel. I think its great to see folks out showing off what a nearly stock rig CAN do and keeping up with the big rigs. She definitely represented.

We proceeded about 100 yards down the trail before our first repair. (Unless you count that Redroxx needed a jump start at the Shell Station). Gary Lee had broken his first t-case mount. Apparently this is a pretty common breaking point in the Samurai’s and luckily Jeff had half a dozen or so spares.

Here’s Gary Lee making the repair while Gene supervises.

Back on the trail and up to the first ledgy section, kind of a tire test hill of sorts.

Everyone took it in stride and then onto the next obstacle which we call………..”the road”. That’s why they always say, “keep your eyes on “the road”". As long as you keep it pointed straight down hill, there’s no trouble.

Next, we found High Dive or Nose Dive as some call it. Immediately after making it down this slippery slope, you are faced with UpChuck.

Here’s Jeff starting down High Dive. Note the rear wheel lift, scary feeling when you still have a long way to the bottom.

Here’s Melanie, nearly down. It is a big obstacle!

Here’s Rick giving us a show climbing up UpChuck.

Here’s Marty giving it a try……

And Larry too……

After everyone was safely down and back up again (either via UpChuck or the bypass), we were on the move heading out towards Prostitute Butte and Picture Frame Arch. Then around and down to the county road and the turn off up to Hummer Hill. We stopped here for lunch and then everyone went up.

Here’s yours truly making my way up Hummer Hill. Everyone made it up safely.

Jim did a little line repainting to allow those going down this obstacle to get their rig lined up straight while we took in the view of the slickrock and the LaSals. Pretty isn’t it?

Then it was off to White Knuckle hill. What a great obstacle this is. As impressive as it is, its dangerous too so all of us went down with a safety strap and 2-3 trusted guys pulling on the uphill side. After the fall off the hill onto your nose, your springs unload and if you don’t gas it, there’s a high rollover risk, just ask Dave Adams! So, with a strap, your pals can pull your rear safely back onto the rock and you can drive slowly down. Its a blast to do and you just feel better knowing your friends won’t let you fall.

After the trip down, a few of us decided to go back up and we would wait for the rest back at the county road. Here’s Gary Lee showing us how it’s done. No problem.

After the trip back to the county road, we all met up and took a little spin through the sand dunes. Lots of fun!

Another great Jeepin’ day in Moab! Come out and join us sometime. Check out the trail schedule for times and meeting spots!

Melissa

Trail Reports