WeBeJeepin’ Moab

A group of 5 rigs: 2 Sammys, 2 Jeeps, and 1 BIG ‘ol Pickup truck left the Shell station parking lot to do the Steelbender trail. The weather was overcast and pretty windy so Jim got us quickly on the trail.

Spring is a slow process in Moab. Days can be almost summer like, then return to windy, chilly conditions. The flowers seem to know that it’s here though. The Indian paintbrush is in full bloom. We’re still waiting for the cactus and some of the other flowers…..but it won’t be long.

Out joining us on the trail was Gary and his wife from Payson, UT. They saw the trail schedule and decided to leave home at 5:00am in order to join us for the trail. As you can see, Gary has a sweet little new JK and the club is helping him to “break” it in. Melanie, does this bring back recent memories??

Down over the Draggin’ Tail and yes, the Jeeps did drag ‘em, so did the truck.

After a lunch break, Jim decided to show everyone how to go back up! Great job Jim.

Then, up through the Dragon Tongue. I believe this is named because of the different bypasses like the forked tongue of a dragon. Anyway Rick makes it look easy.

Now, back to Gary’s JK. After all that bumping over ledges, the plastic bumper started showing signs of damage. Yikes!

Then, after drving up Dragon Spit, the real damage occurred. Can you see the dent behind the factory installed step? I guess they don’t call is Steel bender for nothin’.

Gary Lee was awfully proud of his new sweatshirt from Low Range. The owner there told Gary to get some photos and he’d put them on company website. So, I took this one. What’s that going on in the background? What could Jim possibly be thinking?

Some possible choices include:

a. I don’t give a *%&# about your website photo shoot.

b. I think my good looks will improve your chances of being rig of the month.

c. Quit wasting time, I’m late for church.

d. I made it up Draggin’ Tail and you didn’t.

Anyway, as usual, it was a good day on the trail. We barely made it out before the rain and while airing up, we were treated to a dust storm. Fun times!

Trail Reports

Ber Knight lead a group out to the Dome Plateau trail. This trail is off of Hwy128 near the historic remains of the Dewey Bridge.

I had never been on this trail before so was looking forward to the day, having almost no idea of what to expect.

This was a mostly dirt trail with some rocky areas and ledges.

The biggest obstacle is called Again and Again hill which is a long series of sand covered ledges.

Then it was off towards a beautiful overlook.

Where we stopped for photos and lunch…..

After lunch, the majority of the group carried on to see overviews of Cache valley and Dry Mesa. Three rigs split away to finish the main Dome Plateau trail in order to get back to Moab by 4:00pm. The main group then came down and saw these same sites.

This is called Boca Arch and we spent a few minutes exploring it. Next, we went over to the Cowboy caves and walked in and around them. It’s pretty obvious that the cattle in the area still like these caves.

Here’s a view of our Jeeps looking out of the Cowboy cave.

This is the spring inside one of the caves that is used to supply water to the cows. There is a pipe that leads down to a water trough outside the cave entrance.

Then, we went over to get a close-up of Arrowhead arch (I think that’s right). Anyway, here’s a view from the bottom.

And……here’s a view from the top. Is Gary Lee crazy or what?

As I usually say, another great Ber trail day. Thanks all and see you on the trail.

Trail Reports

As promised, here are a few highlights from the EJS. If anyone wants to send me some photos, please do so at webejeepinmoab@yahoo.com and I’ll edit them in.

The first Saturday started off a bit snowy. It was a little dissapointing going out and seeing a blanket of white on the Moab TJ.

Cliffhanger was my first trail, nothing eventful. Pritchett was on Monday and we had a few highlights.

 Some highlights from Metal Masher on Thursday.

Rock Chucker looked like a circus.

Soon, it was a full blown three ring circus. Can you see this guy lost his entire tire carrier? It’s laying on the rock below.

This guy got stuck on the first rock of Rock Chucker. I tried to tell the guys not to push him but who listens?

This fellow got stuck just after Mirror Gulch.

Widow Maker took it’s toll as well. I noticed a new petroglyph at the base which should have been a serious warning to all those trying….

Gary and I took some friends out to the Escalator obstacle on Hell’s Revenge on Friday. This was our first time through without expert spotting. We eventually figured it out but gave folks some photo ops in the meantime. Believe it or not, Gary drove out of this so it’s not a flop…..

Then, with time before lunch, we had a little Potato Salad Hill action…..

All in all, it was a wonderful vacation but very tiring……can you have too much Jeeping?

Here’s a couple more photos in from Flat Iron Mesa……

Trail Reports