Classics go to Moab?

[BucknutBob]

This. Depending on how many rigs show up and what the spread is, we might even want to run multiple groups.

The White Rim, Fins and Things, Hells Revenge, Elephant Hill, Bull Canyon, Beef Basin, and that Onion Creek that Bob posted earlier are all on my short list.

Other than Hell's Revenge (and I'm not sure of Beef Basin--haven't heard of that before), all of those are considered easy or moderate trails, Kid. For some serious stuff, consider Poison Spider Mesa linked to Golden Spike, or maybe Behind the Rocks or Moab Rim to really test the equipment. One thing's for sure--NONE of them are BAD choices!

 

[KidVermicious]

Other than Hell's Revenge (and I'm not sure of Beef Basin--haven't heard of that before), all of those are considered easy or moderate trails, Kid.

Going by Traildamage.com, Fins and Things is a 5/7, Hells Revenge is a 5/8. Beef Basin is just a drive, but has good archeology all over the place if that's your thing.

I'd be down for Poison Spider and Golden Spike, but I was trying to keep it to trails that would be doable for a stocker but interesting for a built rig. I haven't been on it, but from what I've read and seen on Youtube, I'm not sure a stock rig could do the Golden Crack without risking damage.

 

[BucknutBob]

Going by Traildamage.com, Fins and Things is a 5/7, Hells Revenge is a 5/8. Beef Basin is just a drive, but has good archeology all over the place if that's your thing.

I'd be down for Poison Spider and Golden Spike, but I was trying to keep it to trails that would be doable for a stocker but interesting for a built rig. I haven't been on it, but from what I've read and seen on Youtube, I'm not sure a stock rig could do the Golden Crack without risking damage.

Yeah, the Crack would likely crunch some things, and is more likely impassable without at least one locker and moderately-upsized tires. I was just throwing out some possibilities for the other end of the scale, in case we get some that want to try them. All those you mentioned sound like great drives, from what I've read (although White Rim and Elephant Hill are pretty long drives, if we're trying to cover a lot of trails). Another one I've always thought would be cool is Kane Creek, a moderate trail, but with a lot of water crossings and some good ledges, down in a narrow canyon. That Fins-n-Things is another one on my list, and doable stock with tires aired down--sounds like some great climbs and descents.

 

[dewiseman]

bumpin for FUN

 

[Gerdo]

Yeah, the Crack would likely crunch some things, and is more likely impassable without at least one locker and moderately-upsized tires. I was just throwing out some possibilities for the other end of the scale, in case we get some that want to try them. All those you mentioned sound like great drives, from what I've read (although White Rim and Elephant Hill are pretty long drives, if we're trying to cover a lot of trails). Another one I've always thought would be cool is Kane Creek, a moderate trail, but with a lot of water crossings and some good ledges, down in a narrow canyon. That Fins-n-Things is another one on my list, and doable stock with tires aired down--sounds like some great climbs and descents.

The biggest thing with all of the above mentioned trails is approach and departure angles. FnT has some quick transitions/steep obstacles that can eat bumpers. FnT is one of those "must do" trails. Nowhere else can you wheel on slickrock like that. PSM has some great obstacles and there are easier lines on most. Kane Creek is easy for most of it but the brush will pinstripe the rigs, especially in the fall. 3/4 of the way thru it gets rough. Seven Mile was an easier (than PSM) and is fun. It has some obstacles that you can try (bypasses around them).

 

[dewiseman]

Thanks for the info Gerdo, sounds like you've spent some time there. Approach angles is what I was concerned about since I have 32" tires.:thumb3:

 

[Gerdo]

Thanks for the info Gerdo, sounds like you've spent some time there. Approach angles is what I was concerned about since I have 32" tires.:thumb3:

I run 32s but have high clearance bumpers. I still drag the rear but they are built to take a beating. I do take the hardest lines that I can.

These are on Fins n Things

 

[BucknutBob]

Those are some pretty outrageous angles, Gerdo! Looks like a blast!

 

[Gerdo]

Those are some pretty outrageous angles, Gerdo! Looks like a blast!

I'm always surprised how steep you can go on the slickrock. The traction in amazing. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of times when the tires are howling, up and down.

PS, those angles are true.

 

[BucknutBob]

I'm always surprised how steep you can go on the slickrock. The traction in amazing. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of times when the tires are howling, up and down.

PS, those angles are true.

I don't doubt the angles or the traction--I've seen the vids of others running out there, and they'll make your jaw drop. The stuff I went on was pretty much all scenic, so I'm itching to get into some of the tougher runs. I realize we may not try some of the toughest routes, but as you've shown, there's a lot of fun to be had on the so-called moderate trails. We're going to have a blast out there!

 

[Footofgod]

Listing of available trails:

Hell's Revenge TrailDamage.com - Hell's Revenge
Fins and Things TrailDamage.com - Fins & Things
Cliff Hanger TrailDamage.com - Cliff Hanger
Poison Spider Mesa TrailDamage.com - Poison Spider Mesa
Golden Spike TrailDamage.com - Golden Spike
Behind the Rocks TrailDamage.com - Behind The Rocks
Gold Bar Rim TrailDamage.com - Gold Bar Rim

This is just compiling a few then we can decide what day to do what trail.

Trail suggestions?

 

[Footofgod]

Listing of available trails: Updated

Hell's Revenge TrailDamage.com - Hell's Revenge
Fins and Things TrailDamage.com - Fins & Things
Cliff Hanger TrailDamage.com - Cliff Hanger
Poison Spider Mesa TrailDamage.com - Poison Spider Mesa
Golden Spike TrailDamage.com - Golden Spike
Behind the Rocks TrailDamage.com - Behind The Rocks
Gold Bar Rim TrailDamage.com - Gold Bar Rim
Cottonwood Canyon TrailDamage.com - Cottonwood Canyon
Onion Creek TrailDamage.com - Onion Creek
White Rim TrailDamage.com - White Rim
Elephant Hill TrailDamage.com - Elephant Hill
Beef Basin TrailDamage.com - Beef Basin
Kane Creek Canyon TrailDamage.com - Kane Creek Canyon

This is just compiling a few then we can decide what day to do what trail.

Trail suggestions?

 

[KidVermicious]

I'm down for most anything up to a 6 on the 10-scale. I dunno about BTR or Cliffhanger though, from what I've heard about those trails the Traildamage.com rating might be a little low.

I do dig scenic just as much as challenging, so it won't break my heart if we spend a fair amount of time hooning around back roads instead of flailing around trying to break our junk on ledges.

 

[BucknutBob]

Bill, here's the corresponding rating in Charles Wells' guidebook for those trails, listed as "Easy (E)", "Moderate (M)", and "Difficult (D)". If any part of a trail gets the higher rating, the whole trail is listed as such, so many tougher ones are doable with some assistance for a small portion.

Hell's Revenge - D - Steep inclines and ledges
Fins and Things - D - Steep inclines, sandy sections, some rocks
Cliff Hanger - D - Many tall obstacles; not suitable for stock rigs
Poison Spider Mesa - D - Classic hardcore trail, many tough obstacles
Golden Spike - D - Same as PSM above
Behind the Rocks -D- Some tough, intimidating obstacles; lockers recommended
Gold Bar Rim -D- Starts easy, gets tougher as it goes, stock can probably make it, route is hard to follow at times
Cottonwood Canyon - Not ran in book
Onion Creek -E- Nice scenic drive through a narrow canyon, with multiple creek crossings; leads to other trails, such as Rose Garden Hill and Thompson Canyon
White Rim -M- A very looong trail, mostly easy, with a few moderate obstacles, narrow at times with long drops: the length probably rules this out (it's about 90 miles long!)
Elephant Hill -D- Steep, narrow, rocky climbs and descents; recommended not for beginners; long drive to get to this one--will burn a lot of time
Beef Basin - Not ran in book
Kane Creek -M to D- Narrow at times, steep drops, some ledges, many water crossings; should be fine for stockers as long as it hasn't rained recently

One definite thing to consider as well is ease of route-finding--staying on a trail on slickrock can be maddening, with few markers on some trails. The scenic drives seem to be okay, though, as they usually follow "roads". I would highly recommend C. Wells book by Funtreks, available through many sites--this way those interested can read firsthand descriptions of what they're in for, and we can all approach this from a slightly more educated perspective.

 

[Footofgod]

I'm down for most anything up to a 6 on the 10-scale. I dunno about BTR or Cliffhanger though, from what I've heard about those trails the Traildamage.com rating might be a little low.

I do dig scenic just as much as challenging, so it won't break my heart if we spend a fair amount of time hooning around back roads instead of flailing around trying to break our junk on ledges.

I am definitely good with scenic as well. I have to drive my rig home. I was just throwing names out to get the trail planning started. Feel free to add or to say that a trail might be to much for this trip.

 

[KidVermicious]

I am definitely good with scenic as well. I have to drive my rig home. I was just throwing names out to get the trail planning started. Feel free to add or to say that a trail might be to much for this trip.

What's our goal? If we want everything doable by a stock rig, we probably don't want to go over a 4 or 5 rating. On the other hand, some of us with more built rigs might want a little more challenge.

Considering that everybody is going to be arriving and departing at different times, it might make sense to concentrate on a couple days and just play the others by ear. I'm thinking we should designate a campsite so everybody knows where to show up, plan organized trail runs for Friday and Saturday, and we can plan anything else around the campfire the night before?

Here's a question for folks that are going to try to come - what are you comfortable with, difficulty-wise? Are you new to rock-crawling? Is your rig armored, with bumpers/sliders/skids? Do you have oversized tires? If we can get a better idea of where everybody is at, we can pick potential trails better.

 

[Footofgod]

I'll go first.

Footofgod(Bill)
91 T4R, lifted on 31's and armored (almost will be done by October), locked in the rear
Desired difficulty-Up to a 7/8 out of 10, No issue doing scenic trails

 

[Footofgod]

Considering that everybody is going to be arriving and departing at different times, it might make sense to concentrate on a couple days and just play the others by ear. I'm thinking we should designate a campsite so everybody knows where to show up, plan organized trail runs for Friday and Saturday, and we can plan anything else around the campfire the night before?

I like this idea. Do we want to do Gerdo's primitive camp idea or seek something with a few amenitities? Personally I would not mind bathrooms and a source of water and maybe a little electrical (coffee).

 

[KidVermicious]

I prefer primitive camping myself, but it might be tricky to find a good site for a large group. I don't know any place central to Moab that's free and legal and big enough for everybody, short of Area BFE (which I've never actually seen, I'll be there next weekend and shall report back).

I don't know that you're going to find a current bush outside of a tent pad at an RV park, and then we might as well just all stay at the Lazy Lizard hostel and have our campfire in the parking lot. There are lots of pay campgrounds with varying levels of toilet sophistication, most of which take reservations. If you're not a cowboy coffee kind of person, you could always bring a small machine and borrow my inverter.

 

[Footofgod]

I prefer primitive camping myself, but it might be tricky to find a good site for a large group. I don't know any place central to Moab that's free and legal and big enough for everybody, short of Area BFE (which I've never actually seen, I'll be there next weekend and shall report back).

I can do primitive and I have a coyboy coffee pot. If you come across something cheap though report in.