WeBeJeepin’ Moab

A group of 5 Jeeps, led by Ber Knight set out for a day of adventure to Hatch Point. Now this area is South of Moab, past the La Sal junction, turning onto of Looking Glass Road. From this point, I’m not going to give any further directions as I was quickly lost (being the first time in this area for me.)

We did make a brief stop at Looking Glass Rock. This beautiful arch is set high up in a sandstone rock. Shortly after this area, we came down to an area where folks have built into the sandstone by carving out doorways and homes.

We found a somewhat abandoned one and explored it. The fact that there was a sleeping bag and other signs of life tell me that it is at least occasionally occupied. We also made a drive-by of a polygamist colony which lives completely off the grid, using solar power. They’ve built up quite a few homes but I’ll talk more on this later…..

The day was a bit cool and windy but the snowcapped mountains and very quiet trails made for a relaxing, scenic day. We journeyed out around Hatch Point and then visited an area called Kamakaze. Most of the roads we were on had been marked as ATV routes although we know they are part of the travel plan and Jeeps are allowed. The wheeling was straight forward and mostly 2WD although occasionally as Ber quoted, “I’m going to slip into something more comfortable…..like 4WD!”

This area has a great view into Lockhart Basin.

Bill submitted this photo. He has a wide angle (or perhaps software) to produce these types of shots. Thanks Bill!

Kamikaze is a fairly steep slickrock drop-off dead end trail. The views are absolutely amazing.

Here is an enlarged view of Kamikaze. You can see Ber and Susan working their way down the slickrock dome.

Once down the Kamikaze, the road hugs along the mesa to the overlook I described above. We all took a break here and got some great scenic photos before working our way back out to the main road.

Much of the two track was faint and rarely used. We expect such trails with Ber and always look forward to the new areas he takes us. In fact, most of the trail the only signs of previous traffic was when Ber was there the week before putting our route together.

We did find an interesting UFO hanging in a tree. There are lots of cattle in this area and I believe this is some type of lid for a watering container.

Next we journeyed along to an overlook called the Canylonlands Overlook. This trail had alot of ATV traffic along it but there was no one but us at the overlook.

Wait a minute…..what’s going on here?

What could Ber and Gary Lee possibly be pointing at? Choose your favorite answer.

a.  Hey is that Jim at the top of Yellow Hill? Is he driving a UTV?

b. Is that Larry over at Jeff’s house?

c. Gary says, “Ber! I remember when Thelma and Louise drove off the cliff right there!”

d.  Ber says, “Gary! I remember when John Wesley Powell rafted right through there!”

e. I do believe I see Jose the turtle! He’s bashing a carsonite as we speak.

Some of the scenery from the overlook. Looking way down towards the Needles.

Looking way up towards the Potash plant and Deadhorse Point.

After taking in all the views we began the journey back to Moab. At the last minute, Ber decided to do a drive-by of the Polygamist colony.

As we get closer, you can see the mix of regular houses as well as buildings excavated into the cliff sides.

Lots of solar power in use but not many folks out and about.

We checked out their large gardens, horses, chickens, a dairy, and yes, a shooting range. This last part made us pretty nervous so we decided to leave before it was too late. Actually this is a friendly group from eveything I have heard and live quite openly and modernly.

A very interesting and beautiful Ber trail. Thanks again Ber for your surprising trips. With the car show and UTV rally in town, it was nice to visit trails with almost zero traffic.

Thanks all and see ya on the trail.

Melissa

Trail Reports

Oh my heck, has springtime come to Moab complete with lots of tourists!?! The WeBeJeepers went out to assist in marking the trail Where Eagles Dare and ended up with 10 rigs along for the ride.

The Where Eagles Dare is a route off of the Golden Spike trail so we elected to enter at the Poison Spider trailhead. Here we are working our way up to the P.S. Mesa, passing lots of Jeeps, motorcycles, and ATV’s along the way.

Going up and over the Launching pad and then past Zuki hill to a little known but completely legal route known as Where Eagles Dare. This route has seen limited marking and access to this trail is not always easy to find. So, today we made it easier with white painted dash marks.

Just starting into the trail. There is more than one entrance but we marked the access from the middle point. You can see Golden Spike in the background.

Here’s Jim marking the Where Eagles Dare obstacle. This really steep, off-camber slickrock dome takes nerves to climb. There is a bypass to the left that joins back up with the trail.

Here’s Gary Lee following the newly marked route. The section that he is on is the scariest.

Once you’re past the huge slickrock dome and down the other side, you have spectacular views! Here’s Susan and WMNDRVR enjoying the day. From there, we went over to the Corona Arch overlook. Beautiful, huh?

After the overlook, we began to work our way up an obstacle called Phobia Hill. This is another fairly steep slickrock dome that you drive up and over.

You quickly realize how tall this dome is when looking down at those coming up after you.

After we finished marking the route, we decided to finish the day by crossing the Golden Crack and then driving down Rusty Nail to the Gemini Bridges County Road.

After the crack, you turn left and head directly towards Jeep arch in order to catch the Rusty Nail.

It doesn’t take long to realize that this is a harder trail (even going down it) than Golden Spike. This off-camber ledge climb can be nerve wracking with the ravine so close to the right.

The first real obstacle going down is No Left Turn—except in this instance you’d better turn left and not right as traditionally this route is driven UP and not down.

Rick’s Rokdawg took a flop on this trail last year and we had been joking about it all day. So, what do you think I found after coming up to the obstacle? Yep, you guessed it…..Rick was in trouble.

You can’t really call this a flop but it is more than a lean. I’m thinking we call it…..Rick fall down and go boom! OUCH! What a blow to the old pride. Luckily Rick is a good sport….I’ll give a damage report later.

Here’s Matt going through, probably a bit nervous after his scare on Where Eagles Dare and then watching Rick have a problem…..he came through without a scratch.

Big old Redroxx. Check out the width compared to Matt’s Jeep. Fat but she fits.

Gary Lee loves to take the non-traditional line. Allen was trying to spot him but Gary wanted to climb the wall….so he did.

Down the next obstacle. Here comes Davon and Marlene.

Everyone stops for a quick break before taking the speed run down to 191.

As for trail damage. Well, Rick lost his little tab hinges that he had used to band-aid his flares last time. I don’t know but I think metal flares are in his future!

Well, another good trail day. Weather was sunny and 80 degrees!

Oh, by the way, Jeff’s Samurai was fine. He didn’t flop last week. I know a few of you were asking!

Thanks all and see ya on the trail!

Trail Reports

The Samurai’s and the BFJ decided it was time to run Upper Helldorado. Gary and Rick were first timers on this trail and I have only been on it once before so we were a bit nervous about the potential carnage. We noticed that someone had knocked over the Helldorado sign which makes NO sense. Either drive around the GateKeeper or go through. Why take your rig up there? Oh well, Jeff said he would fix it during our clean up BFE day.

Anyway, you can see the line up as Jeff drops into the first obstacle.

His drive was uneventful so we are moving on to the “posers”. Gary Lee with a thumbs-up and a nice wheel lift on the Gate Keeper.

Not to be out done, here comes Rick in his Purple Jeep Eater. Too many hams in this group. Sheesh!

To the next obstacle which I heard called High Five. I’m sure this one has multiple names, some I probably cannot list here.

Gary Lee shows how you do it.

Redroxx needs to climb a bit higher on the rock to squeeze through, full-width axles you know…..

Bad Cat climbs up with a wave and a flourish!

Rick shows that its no big deal.

Next to the break over rock obstacle. This one really challenges the longer wheel base, more room to get hung up on the old belly pan. Jeff drove it perfectly.

Over EZ is trying to get a tire purchase. No luck! STUCK!

Big old Redroxx is stuck too! Anybody want to give me a push?

Jim started out looking great. Go Jim go!

Oops! Shake that Sami off the rock!

This little Sami is REALLY stuck. The poor tires are just hanging in space. Time for a pull!

Susan makes it MOSTLY unassisted. There might have been a small push that we’ve been unable to verify.

Now to the waterfall. Everyone elected to take a winch.

Although these photos almost look like Gary climbed it.

Here’s the Samurai’s, all in a row. Cute, huh?

After Helldorado, we decided to go run Easy Squeezy. So, it was up Minor Threat where Susan found a bit of a problem. This little axle breaking obstacle on Minor Threat is getting a bit harder as time goes on. WMNDRVR’s rear was down in a hole, giving a nice tire lift.

And more! Watch out for that TREE!

Jim says, “what’s the problem?” Well, Jim, soon you will see!

Over to Easy Squeezy. This is such a cool obstacle. First you climb up through the slot.

You have to get your tire really high up on the wall to your left.

Then you walk/slide your rig through the slot. Sometimes getting really big wheel lifts and sometimes feeling like you’re going to fall over the side.

Some of these pictures will give you a perspective on how little room there is to move a vehicle through.

Susan is showing off….again!

And wheel lifting right over the ravine. She does look a bit nervous here.

You can see how high you have to get your driver’s tire. Right up along the rock that Jeff is standing on.

Here’s what it looks like from the Minor Threat trail below. A tire over NOTHING!

The wheel lift comes as your try to get your passenger tire to come up this rock as Jim tries to demonstrate. USUALLY the truck comes on down.

WHOOPS! Not this time apparently. A gentle flop to the side. Jim, does this remind you of your Navy days?

Abandon ship! Abandon ship! Jim says no, the captain will stay with the vessel. Hurry up and turn me over. It’s almost beer time!

Okay, all is right with the world. Bad Cat got through without a scratch. Lucky for us giving spotting advice.

Okay Jeff, do you trust Jim now to get you through?

Uh-oh, this looks really similar to the Bad Cat situation…..

Will DrtSqrl live to drive another trail? Or will there be a flop coming?

Join us next week on Where Eagles Dare to find out…….

See ya on the trail!

Trail Reports