Our Journey to Moab (Trip Report)

Xtremluck said:
I'm not going to pretend that I'm an expert on Hells Revenge but from my perspective the final two miles had two relatively tricky sections. Mind you we had to do them in the dark which makes it a completely different experience Im sure. Definitely not the hardest we did on this trip. I think the optional backside route of Top of the World takes that prize.

The Sand Flats Recreation body does have signs in the trail pointing people back to the trailhead 3/4 of the way through. We also did run into people running the trail in the opposite direction a couple of times. However, that is a good call out it's definitely not ideal to run the trail in the opposite direction.
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I think you're right. There are two I remember too. One as you're turning right, [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION]'s photo, and another when you're dropping down a ledge and turning left. Difficult, but definitely not roll-inducing. Must have been typical JK bros.

On Top of The World, the right hand side of the loop descending from the top has gotten much harder. I skipped it last year after hiking down it and we just went back on the other side. I had done it the previous two times I'd been on the trail and it was so much worse, there was on reason to do it.
 
Xtremluck said:
I'm not going to pretend that I'm an expert on Hells Revenge but from my perspective the final two miles had two relatively tricky sections. Mind you we had to do them in the dark which makes it a completely different experience Im sure. Definitely not the hardest we did on this trip. I think the optional backside route of Top of the World takes that prize.

The Sand Flats Recreation body does have signs in the trail pointing people back to the trailhead 3/4 of the way through. We also did run into people running the trail in the opposite direction a couple of times. However, that is a good call out it's definitely not ideal to run the trail in the opposite direction.
Click to expand...

With the exception of the escalator and hell's gate - I agree that the two sections on the road out are probably the trickiest to navigate. Especially if it's your first time without someone who knows the easiest lines. I've been really tipsy there before trying some of the harder downhill lines in the first part. On the rocks it pretty obvious where to go. Just follow the black tire marks!
 
Got some great photos in there, man. Well done. That pic of the spotter on his knees checking bumper clearance is magazine quality.

I love Moab... did you drop down off of White Rim to Lathrop Canyon? That's a cool little side trip to the Colo river. And maybe I didn't catch it, but towards the end you talk about your favorite trail in Moab that is a sum of all the best that Moab has to offer... but what is that trail name?

Re: mobile HAM setups, there's a lot to chose from and YMMV, but I have been extremely pleased with my Icom IC 2730a:

IC-2730A VHF/UHF Dual Band Transceiver - Features - Icom America

Dual band, but I only use it on 2M. Up to 50W of output so with a decent antenna on simplex you are looking at an easy 10 mile range (to another similar unit). Remote head so it's easy to install in the 4R's cockpit. Super simple and low tech for a casual user. Fairly inexpensive for a name brand unit, around $230 or so. I pair it with a couple of Kenwood handhelds that I loan out as needed to have comms for up to 3 vehicles in a group.

Icom is the radio closest to the shifter in this image, on a home brewed RAM mount:

DSC_0033-XL.jpg
 
Moab Red and fall colors

What a great trip. I may go in November for the fall colors. I'll take my mountain bike and see what I can find.

Your photos show the advantage of the steel bumpers with a better approach and departure angle. I may need to go that route, since I dinged my front right fender (next to the water bottle) pretty badly on a run in Big Bear recently. :cry2:
 
DesertCanyons said:
What a great trip. I may go in November for the fall colors. I'll take my mountain bike and see what I can find.

Your photos show the advantage of the steel bumpers with a better approach and departure angle. I may need to go that route, since I dinged my front right fender (next to the water bottle) pretty badly on a run in Big Bear recently. :cry2:
Click to expand...

Aftermarket bumpers definitely help but if I could turn back the clock I would have just trimmed my OEM ones and used a hidden winch mount. Keep it light and simple! Although, my rear bumper has become an essential part of my camping + bike transport setup.
 
MeefZah said:
Got some great photos in there, man. Well done. That pic of the spotter on his knees checking bumper clearance is magazine quality.

I love Moab... did you drop down off of White Rim to Lathrop Canyon? That's a cool little side trip to the Colo river. And maybe I didn't catch it, but towards the end you talk about your favorite trail in Moab that is a sum of all the best that Moab has to offer... but what is that trail name?

Re: mobile HAM setups, there's a lot to chose from and YMMV, but I have been extremely pleased with my Icom IC 2730a:

IC-2730A VHF/UHF Dual Band Transceiver - Features - Icom America

Dual band, but I only use it on 2M. Up to 50W of output so with a decent antenna on simplex you are looking at an easy 10 mile range (to another similar unit). Remote head so it's easy to install in the 4R's cockpit. Super simple and low tech for a casual user. Fairly inexpensive for a name brand unit, around $230 or so. I pair it with a couple of Kenwood handhelds that I loan out as needed to have comms for up to 3 vehicles in a group.

Icom is the radio closest to the shifter in this image, on a home brewed RAM mount:

DSC_0033-XL.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up with the HAM radio setup. Ill look into that for sure. We did drop down to Lathrop Canyon and it was beautiful! Looking forward to doing a route near there that traverses into CO next year!
 
RE, Hell's Revenge, the last section is not very difficult, just a little techy but have seen and done it in many diff vehicles. I used to live out there, FL now, but probably done HR over 50 times. The last section had 2 choices to end and you could either go right or left, left took you closer to lions back and always was a little tougher.
 
Great write up and beautiful pics that capture the very essence of the journey. Very jealous! Moab is on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing!

Dave
 
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