WeBeJeepin’ Moab

So, the die hards come out again! This time it’s Gary Lee, myself, Jeff, Jim, Larry, and Susan. We all met at the newly paved Hell’s Revenge parking lot for the airing down process. Boy, there’s still lots of snow here and snow on the first fin as well. I hope we can make it.

Jim says we’re crazy to try and run this trail but I believe in miracles…..just check this one out…..

We get up on the first fin just fine and we’re evaluating what to do when suddenly a fierce wind started blowing from the south. It was eerily warm.

The snow on the other side of the fin began to melt faster than Frosty the snowman in Hawaii…..

And before you know it, we were off on a snow free Hell’s Revenge trail. What do you know? This is totally awesome and I’ll bet you all are sorry you missed it! HA!

Hell’s Gate was snow free and dry! We watched some random stranger drive up it and then we all had a turn. Many of us went twice. Jim made it up blindfolded.

Larry was having a good time enjoying the warm weather too! He couldn’t believe our good fortune and the fact that we were making every obstacle look like a cake walk.

By the time we got to Mickey’s hot tub, it was nothing but shirtsleeves. Absolutely balmy! Look at Jeff making it right on up. Everyone did! I did it backwards! Gary Lee went straight up the side!

Then we went to the Escalator where Gary Lee showed us how to drive up! We all followed and it sure was easy. I’d never gone down Escalator before but today was the day! WOW! Don’t you wish you were here?

About the time we finished at the Escalator, the wind had shifted yet again. It started getting COLD! Even snowing a bit?

By the time we got to Tip Over, it was icy again. Luckily we had that random stranger show us the line. We barely got out in time before everything froze up again!

This was a fantastic trail day and we were so glad we had some temporary warm weather…….

Now……

Do you really……..

Believe…..

This…..

Story??

 

 

If not…..

I will provide…….

Another……

One……

Just not as fun as this one….

Here we are back at the first fin and realized it was too snowy to risk sliding down the other side. So, we’re in fact, backing off the fin. Was this scary? You betcha.

 

In fact, after this snowy adventure, Susan decided to call it quits and the rest of us decided to go play in the snow near Porcupine Rim. We drove up Sand Flats road to one of the Fins & Things entrances.

Jim took us over to the overlook to have lunch. There was one tricky ledge that had our tires spinning. If only we knew what was ahead.

After lunch, we headed further in towards Porcupine Rim. The idea was to exit out the regular entrance to this trail. This hill here gave us all a run for our money. Gary Lee had the most trouble and worked his way up for about 10 minutes before needing a bit of help right at the top. The rest of us came up like gangbusters and made it.

We had the Sand Flats Road in sight above us and were working up the last of the shelf road when we had a bit of a problem. Jim, Gary, and Larry all made it up even though it was off-camber with a pretty good drop off to the left.

Redroxx and I weren’t so lucky. The front diff caught a rock and spun the rear end off the trail. I’m really glad that I was able to stop where I did. Lots of help was needed including winching to a tree (yes, we used a tree strap) while Larry gave me a pull with his truck.

I finally got up and out but then it was Jeff’s turn and I’d created quite a mess for him to work through.

Yep, same thing. Gary got the winch line ready while Jeff waited patiently with his rear half hanging over empty space.

The winching was really scary. We weren’t sure the tree we used would hold and while Jeff was winching, a large rock gave way and rolled down the hill. This was awful.

Anyway after all that we had to turn around as the exit is behind where Jeff’s truck is now. That was no problem but right behind Drtsqrl, the trail is really narrow and well…..Redroxx isn’t. Jim, Gary, and Larry made it through but I didn’t. There aren’t any more pictures but let it be said that after a near roll over and a few profane words, I decided to go back down the ledge I’d just fought up and went all the way back out the way we’d come in earlier. Jeff followed me while the other three watched our progress from the Sand Flats Road.

This was an interesting trail day. We all need a few scary moments once in a while so we don’t get too confident. Today was mine but luckily no one chicken danced me, guess everyone was too tired. Sometimes full width axles are a bit too wide……

Anyway, all’s well that ends well.

See ya on the trail.

Melissa

Trail Reports

Oh that evil blogger, just the post title has you wondering, doesn’t it?

Well, as you all have noticed, there’s not been much wheeling action going on in Moab lately. The cold temperatures and snowy weather have kept us all indoors and we have cabin fever. So, it was time to try our annual tradition of the day after Christmas Kane Creek trail.

Last year was really cold and today was expected to be no different. A suggestion was made to wait until 10:00 am and it was a really good one. On waking this morning, the old weather station here at the house read a balmy 6 degrees. Oh goody! But, by the time we departed the house it was around 20, no wind, and sunshine. At the cinema were the rest of the die-hards: Jeff, Jim, Rick, Larry. Gary and I made for 6 rigs.

By the time we got to the trail head, it was a really nice day. A good set of insulated ski pants or Carharts along with the heaters that most of us had, left us feeling toasty and in a great mood, ready for trail action. Well, anytime you mix up snow, slickrock, and our group, there’s bound to be SOMETHING.

Redroxx led the way and since it’d been a year since we’ve been on this end of the trail, I forgot how narrow that shelf road is for full width axles. Add in the snow and past wash outs and well, you don’t have to tell me twice to watch the road. This first off-camber wash-out had me out of the Jeep and asking for a spot. Rick makes it look easy though.

This option is always fun polished up with snow. Larry’s not afraid of the skinny pedal though and he came right on up.

Now we move on to the creek portion, this trail’s name sake. Kane Creek trail crosses Kane Creek dozens of times depending on water level and the changing trail. We really enjoyed ice busting last year, which is why Redroxx is in the lead. I’m supposed to fall through and be an ice breaker….ha!

As we started over the first of the crossings, the creek was so frozen that we barely crunched the surface and I was listening to the Ipod, enjoying the day. After a sunny stop for lunch, yes this time I learned my lesson and we stopped in the sun, we came to a rather deep section of the creek.

Redroxx started breaking through the ice and was stopped about halfway across the creek. I backed her up and jammed her forward and after a wild ride we made it up and over. Whee! This left a difficult situation for those behind me. The ice was mostly broken but there was a large shelf just before the climb out which was well….pictures speak a thousand words…..

Stuck? Stuck! Don’t leave me Ralphy! Okay, we’ll tug you out Gary Lee. This is obviously the part about the sinking Samurai but we had him high and dry in no time. No damage done except the being rescued part.

Now its Rick’s turn. Give her a good run RokDawg!

Nice bow wave. Keep your speed up!

Oh no! Iceburg, iceburg. Abort! Abort! (think alarms sounding, all hands on deck, that type of thing) Can you see the giant piece of ice just in front of Rick’s Jeep?

Uh-oh. That Jeep ain’t goin’ no-where! We’re gonna need a Navy Seal rescue. Jim, you’re a retired Navy man. Unplug your battery operated mittens and get over here! What’s that? I think he said to sound the bell (it sounded a bit like go to hell!)

Well, after the bells and all the fuss, Rick was also out of the creek but what’s that he brought with him?

It’s the iceburg! That’s one big Jeep breaker but in fact Rick turned on his lockers and broke it while driving up and over. I was hoping that Jim had brought his chain saw so we could make an ice sculpture and have some cool beverages. Jim, did you bring one? No, I guess not…..he just keeps telling me to sound the bell….weird.

Next it was up and over Hamburger Hill. No bells here though Jim did have a big wheel lift that he refused to let me capture on camera. Most of us were looking forward to this fun wall and everyone who tried it, made it. A little ice adds to the adventure.

Everyone proceeded along the cliff road keeping an eye out for icy spots. We were off the trail shortly after 2:00pm. After a month of no wheelin’, I can say it truly was a super day.

Thanks all and see ya on the trail.

Melissa

Trail Reports

So now it’s Saturday after Thanksgiving and prime time Jeepin season! Our club had some wonderful guests including Bear Taylor and his crew called DirtHedz from Utah County. Many of our members were down and some brought family and friends to enjoy this trail.

The group divided into 2 distinct trails. The first was led by Ber Knight and was the Tip-Toe portion. Ber put together this trail for EJS some years ago and who better to lead it? The rest of the group decided to start on the main portion of Behind the Rocks, entering the traditional trail head off of 191. I’m not sure if we got an exact count of rigs but it was somewhere around 16.

Jeff led this group. Behind the Rocks lets you know pretty quickly that it is a serious trail. To my knowledge, this first rocky section is unnamed but it certainly is steep, off-camber, and slippery.

Dee was out for the weekend, dividing time between her Colorado club and her MFFW pals. She joined us today and hopefully was glad she did. Roxanne loved this trail.

That was easy!

Not everyone had a walk in the park and who could expect it? Newbies to this trail are often a bit surprised since this trail starts tough right from the get go. Oh well, nothing a little strap can’t fix. All of us take a strap now and then…….even me!

Next it was trying to play catch up. Ber and his group were waiting at High Dive to see us maniacs slide our way down. This little ravine is fun with the tougher line to the left as we are looking at it. I’ve seen some big wheel lifts here but nothing exciting today. After some long distance CB communications, we met up with Ber at a set of obstacles called High Dive (or Nose Dive) and Up Chuck.

A nicely modified JK named Polar Bear makes his way down High Dive.

More High Dive action…..

And yet more…..

Now over to Up Chuck….

 Next Dee shows how to go up!

 After our group finished playing on the obstacles, the whole group stayed together and tip-toed over to the lunch spot at the base of Hummer Hill. Many of us went to the top to have lunch while others watched and ate at the base.

Here’s Jim enjoying his lunch from the top of Hummer Hill. What could Jim POSSIBLY be thinking?

a. turkey left overs on the Car-B-Q are AWESOME!

b. Wow! you can really see prostitute butte from up here.

c. I’ve been sniffing paint fumes for the past 3 days……..and it’s AWESOME!

d. It’s nearly time for CHURCH……..AWESOME!

After Hummer hill, we split up again and the regular BTR group worked our way over the Roller Coaster and down to White Knuckle hill.

Here comes Dee with a strap on her tail and a smile on her face!

Let’s watch her on video!

More White Knuckle descent.

More going down White Knuckle. It’s always a time of nervousness as you have to trust the 2-3 guys holding the strap to hold your tail end down so you don’t tumble head over heels….

 One more White Knuckle descent. Boy, that was fun!

Everyone had a turn going down. Quite a few came back up as well.

 Here’s a photo of Dee giving it a try. ALMOST!

 

It sure was a great day on the trail. No major problems and everyone had a chance to push their skills and tackle the challenges of the trail. Those who tip-toed definitely had fun with Ber as the leader!

Thanks all and see ya on the trail!

Melissa

Trail Reports

On the day after Thanksgiving, a small group of 5 rigs showed up at the Cinema to do a Pritchett run, including revising 2 winch anchors and installing another at the Son of Rockpile obstacle. Jim also marked the trail. This trail was listed as Larry’s Break-in of his new truck…..what a good name…..as we will see…..

After getting past a group of trucks that were playing at the first obstacle, we made our way to Chewy and were quickly up and over….

 Next up is Jeff…..well done….

After Chewy, we played in the rocky ravine before the Rocker Knocker obstacle.

Next it was over to Rocker Knocker where everyone showed off their technical skills in climbing this really fun obstacle….first was Larry….

Next was Gary Lee…

Don’t forget Jeff. Can he give a big thumbs up while climbing the obstacle like his wife Susan? NOPE!

Then it was up and over to Axle hill where Jim shows us how to climb it.

 Next in line was Gary Lee…..

Next was over to the Rock Pile where Larry shows us how to climb it….

Then comes Gary Lee….he almost always makes this obstacle look really easy.

Now its Jeff’s turn up…

After the Rockpile we worked on installing the winch anchor. Then it was just an easy jaunt up Yellow Hill where we were breaking for lunch. Just after I reached the top, I heard from Gary on the CB that Larry had flopped his truck on Yellow Hill. After turning around, this is the sight that greeted me. YIKES! Is Larry okay?

All is well but Larry definitely took a flop to the right. He’s not the first one to fall in this hole.

Jeff sure did a nice job in building this truck. Good view of the underside….

How’s it going Larry. Okay? After lunch, we’ll pull you over….just kidding.

Here’s Jeff giving a pull from below. I wonder what’s happened to the side of Larry’s truck? Is it okay?

WOW! Amazingly without damage. Larry did break in his new truck but did it gently. Larry was actually thinking of backing down this obstacle and going up the other side. After getting a round of the chicken dance, he came on up and got that worry out of the way.

Now we can have lunch. The famous top of Pritchett photo….we made it!

Now it’s time for some Hunter Canyon. Larry shows us how to drive a full size truck over a tippy ledge. Hang on Kevin!

After a fun run through Hunter Canyon, it was over to White Knuckle Hill…..

Gary Lee Fischer shows us the way up White Knuckle. WKH was a bit of a challenge today. Redroxx and Drtsqrl both had to try a couple of times to get up.

Next was Larry’s first try up this obstacle. He had to work at it a few times but also found the right combination of throttle and line…..nicely done.

This was a great trail day! One of my all-time favorite trail combinations. Thanks all and see ya on the trail.

Melissa

Trail Reports

A small group decided to make a fun run out to area BFE on the day before Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful day and there wasn’t much traffic about….

The group airing down in the parking area.

A little warm up in the test area…..

A little bit of Lockjaw action starts out the day…..

After running up Lockjaw, we then went over to Green Day and tried tackling the Waterfall….

After running lower Green Day, we went up to finish the upper Green Day loop.

Next it was over to E-Z, Squeezy…..or so we call it.

Jim’s attempt was especially interesting. He really caught some air and perhaps you can see Larry WAAAAYYYY down on the main trail laughing up. Luckily, all was well.

After everyone who wanted to had tried EZ Squeezy, we went down Minor Threat and ran Helldorado’s Gate Keeper backwards. This is pretty challenging for the big Jeep and truck but after all the twising, everyone made it through.

A wonderful pre-Turkey day run. Everyone had a great time.

See ya on the trail.

Melissa

Trail Reports