Moab after Memorial Day?

U

ur2ez22

New member
Hey everyone, been wanting to get to Moab and it looks like Memorial Day week I can take some time off work and get up there before it's too hot. Have a few questions for those with a little knowledge/experience there around this time of year though if I can.

We're thinking of visiting some friends near American Fork Saturday through Monday, but:

1. How busy do you think the campgrounds will be Monday night if we headed over there Monday late afternoon to set up camp?

2. How busy do you think the campgrounds and trails will be Tuesday and Wednesday?

3. Depending on if we can find a campground spot Monday night, that would leave me all day Tuesday and until about 2:00pm Wednesday before we'd have to leave (or if the campgrounds will be busy Monday night still, would head out there about as early as I can reasonably wake a 5 year old and drive the ~3 hours to Moab). Everything about my truck is in my signature...but should be good on anything that doesn't require aftermarket bumper approach/departure angles or a winch I'd guess (which yes, I know rules out a lot of obstacles in Moab). I've ordered the Charles Wells Moab guidebook (already have the Colorado one and Arizona one...great books!), but any recommended itinerary for the best trails to fit in knowing I only have about 1-1.5 days of actual trail time?

Thanks in advance, and if there's anyone else interested in meeting up that Tuesday or Wednesday let me know.
 
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Canyonlands Campground has a few tent sites open on those days. Slickrock as well.

Very tempting. Have been wanting to go back to Moab for a while. Only done it in a Jeep so would be interesting on the 4R.

Let me think about it.
 
If you roll into town looking for a spot, the pay campgrounds will be fullish. I'd make reservations now or plan on boondocking.

With sliders and skids and a good set of tires, your truck will be good for most of the trails listed in Charles Wells' guide book. I'd start being careful about halfway up his Red list, there are spots on Kane Creek, Hell's Revenge, Cliffhanger, etc that can take a bite out of a stockish truck even with careful driving.

If you're new to Moab but a seasoned driver, start with Fins and Things. There's nothing super difficult on that trail, but there are some climbs and descents and off camber traverses that will have your butt grabbing seat cloth. You will be amazed at how sticky the slickrock is. Going up Frenchies' Fin for the first time is an experience.
 
Thank you both for the quick responses, either of those campgrounds better/closer than the other? Looked online a little and it seems Canyonlands has better reviews, but they both look similar...
 
ur2ez22 said:
Thank you both for the quick responses, either of those campgrounds better/closer than the other? Looked online a little and it seems Canyonlands has better reviews, but they both look similar...
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Canyonlands is on the outer edge of town and slickrock is in the middle of town. There are a few more in town as well, and some along the river outside of town. There is a big car show in Moab and that is why everything is so booked.
 
Alright, we'll be getting into Moab sometime around 6 or 7pm Monday night (Memorial Day), camping Monday and Tuesday night, and then leaving around 3 or 4pm Wednesday. Wheeling all day Tuesday and whatever we can fit in Wednesday.

Fins n Things is definitely on the list, and I'm also considering running part of White Rim, Hell's Revenge or Top of the World. I want to do fun challenging trails, but I also want to experience some great scenery. Open to suggestions, and if anyone else is going to be there let me know. I know there's a huge Tacoma group showing up Wednesday, but haven't figured out if they're doing rides Wednesday morning or not...plus I don't really want to register just for part of a day.
 
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ur2ez22 said:
Alright, we'll be getting into Moab sometime around 6 or 7pm Monday night (Memorial Day), camping Monday and Tuesday night, and then leaving around 3 or 4pm Wednesday. Wheeling all day Tuesday and whatever we can fit in Wednesday.

Fins n Things is definitely on the list, and I'm also considering pruning part of White Rim, Hell's Revenge or Top of the World. I want to do fun challenging trails, but I also want to experience some great scenery. Open to suggestions, and if anyone else is going to be there let me know. I know there's a huge Tacoma group showing up Wednesday, but haven't figured out if they're doing rides Wednesday morning or not...plus I don't really want to register just for part of a day.
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I'll know in a couple of days if I will be able to make the trip.
 
KidVermicious said:
I thought taco drivers were all pimple faced virgins.
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That was who had a 3rd gen that first made me pay attention to a 4Runner when I was a Ford truck guy at the time (I was young and stupid, don't judge). Then a couple years later I picked up a 4th gen and now I'm onto my 5th gen!

So anyone interested in going down there and running Hell's Gate and has a lot of experience doing that? I've watched enough videos of that to think it looks like an absolute blast, but I don't want to try it without someone who truly knows the right line and can spot someone up it successfully. Can't drive a rolled rig back to AZ...can't promise I'll do it once I see it, but no point in thinking about it if there won't be any experienced people there to trust!
 
I'll be running Fins n Things tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, probably leave Canyonlands campground around 8:30am. If there's time to run other trails afterwards, will be doing that as well (kinda hoping the light disappears while out there so I can try out my new lightbar).

Then it looks like there may be several from the forum who will be starting out with Top of the World Wednesday morning as well. Anyone interested in either day send me a PM to meet up.
 
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