Trip Recap - Moab/Utah/Arizona 2017

[STX4Runner]

Unfortunately, we couldn't stay too long in Zion either. Once we got down, we had a meal and beer at the restaurant right outside the park gate and then had to get on the road for that night's camping spot. Here's view of our camp spot the next morning.

If you drive the forest roads south of Fredonia, AZ you can dispersed camp right on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Unfortunately, this camp spot was taken when we arrived late that night, but by next morning it was available for a photo.

 

[STX4Runner]

That morning I had to start making my way back home. We drove towards Page, AZ and saw Navajo Bridge and the Horseshoe Bend before splitting up. My friend headed down to Phoenix for a few days rest while I headed to Flagstaff and then Albuquerque.

I ended up making it to Albuquerque around midnight after leaving Page at about 4 PM. Went looking for a forest road to camp along and was not having much luck until about an hour south of town I saw a sign pointing towards Capilla Peak. Ended up on a narrow shelf road in thick fog and 30 deg temps. But the top was nice and secluded once I got there and made for a great last camping spot. The view in the morning was nice too. There was even still some snow on the ground in shady spots.

After waking up at sunup, I hit the road and made it back to San Antonio by 7PM.

 

[Unner]

Looks like you had an awesome trip! Glad both you and your Lexus buddy were able to make it to top of the world.

Bryce and Zion were on my list, but I decided to just stay in the Moab area. There is so much to see and do in Utah it's truly amazing.

 

[STX4Runner]

Looks like you had an awesome trip! Glad both you and your Lexus buddy were able to make it to top of the world.

Bryce and Zion were on my list, but I decided to just stay in the Moab area. There is so much to see and do in Utah it's truly amazing.

Yeah, the trip was great, and it was great to branch out of the immediate Moab area and see more of Utah. There's so much to see there you could spend weeks and not get to it all.

Top of the World remains one of my favorite Moab trails due to the views and remoteness. It continues to get harder, but I actually thought the big ledge just before the loop was no worse this year than last, and I only stacked a few rocks and easily made it up. Camping up near the top was awesome. No one was up there and it felt very remote.

 

[STX4Runner]

Finally got pictures from my friend, so here are some 4Runner pictures.
Looking back down from Top of the World.

Heading down from Top of the World

Heading up Elephant Hill

 

[STX4Runner]

Passing through the tight spot on Elephant Hill.

Random spot on Elephant Hill.

Descending some ledges on Elephant Hill

 

[HeresRonnie]

How many days total was your trip? Did you use a tradition tent for camping?

 

[STX4Runner]

How many days total was your trip? Did you use a tradition tent for camping?

It was 9 days. I slept in the back of the 4Runner, my friend had his rooftop tent.

 

[Riverfisher]

The views from the top were incredible.

Dude, I forgot to come back to your trip summary after your first few posts. Great write up and a great trip. Check Angels Landing off the bucket list and add hiking the Narrows canyon on the next trip.
Also, and I feel like an idiot for not knowing that the ferry at Halls Crossing is still operational. I thought it was an 'historical' crossing for wagons. I learned something about my home state.

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/thenarrows.htm

One question, on what did you sleep in the 4R?

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[fordracing19]

Sitting at home wishing I was back in Moab. Just got home on the 2nd. Lol

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[JFrank]

Absolutely beautiful, I can not WAIT till I go exploring out there, Without a lift or heavy mods (aka Sliders, Skids, 33inch tires etc) How much can you explore in Moab, zion etc with a stock Runner? I just slapped on some Nitto G2s and running a stock set up until next year or the year after when I pull the trigger on a lift. I was just curious how far a stock TEP 4R could make it. I wanna go out there next summer!

 

[fordracing19]

Absolutely beautiful, I can not WAIT till I go exploring out there, Without a lift or heavy mods (aka Sliders, Skids, 33inch tires etc) How much can you explore in Moab, zion etc with a stock Runner? I just slapped on some Nitto G2s and running a stock set up until next year or the year after when I pull the trigger on a lift. I was just curious how far a stock TEP 4R could make it. I wanna go out there next summer!

You can still have a great time.

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[STX4Runner]

Absolutely beautiful, I can not WAIT till I go exploring out there, Without a lift or heavy mods (aka Sliders, Skids, 33inch tires etc) How much can you explore in Moab, zion etc with a stock Runner? I just slapped on some Nitto G2s and running a stock set up until next year or the year after when I pull the trigger on a lift. I was just curious how far a stock TEP 4R could make it. I wanna go out there next summer!

You can do plenty in a stock 4Runner. If you want a little insurance get sliders and you'll be fine on plenty of trails.

 

[STX4Runner]

Dude, I forgot to come back to your trip summary after your first few posts. Great write up and a great trip. Check Angels Landing off the bucket list and add hiking the Narrows canyon on the next trip.
Also, and I feel like an idiot for not knowing that the ferry at Halls Crossing is still operational. I thought it was an 'historical' crossing for wagons. I learned something about my home state.

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/thenarrows.htm

One question, on what did you sleep in the 4R?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Angel's Landing was awesome. I'd love to do the Narrows, but I think it was closed when we were there due to high water. Snowmelt season. After Angel's Landing we washed our feet in the Virgin River and the water was frigid. You'd have to have a dry suit to do it this time of year.

Hall's Crossing was pretty cool. The ferry still runs every two hours up until 6PM.

In the 4Runner I just fold down all the seats and unroll a sleeping pad under my sleeping bag. I love sleeping in it. Super quiet and secure.

 

[Riverfisher]

Angel's Landing was awesome. I'd love to do the Narrows, but I think it was closed when we were there due to high water. Snowmelt season. After Angel's Landing we washed our feet in the Virgin River and the water was frigid. You'd have to have a dry suit to do it this time of year.



Hall's Crossing was pretty cool. The ferry still runs every two hours up until 6PM.



In the 4Runner I just fold down all the seats and unroll a sleeping pad under my sleeping bag. I love sleeping in it. Super quiet and secure.

Awesome. The Narrows is the last place you want to be with high water. You can rent dry pants and water boots at several places in Springdale. I highly recommend going that route.
Thanks for the info on sleeping in the 4R. I've seen some pretty elaborate solutions and have been wondering if they are necessary. I going to try sleeping in it next weekend in Moab.


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[JFrank]

You can do plenty in a stock 4Runner. If you want a little insurance get sliders and you'll be fine on plenty of trails.

What brand do you recommend?

 

[STX4Runner]

What brand do you recommend?

Any should be good. I have Rock Road Supersliders and they have been great.

 

[MAST4R]

Angel's Landing was awesome. I'd love to do the Narrows, but I think it was closed when we were there due to high water. Snowmelt season. After Angel's Landing we washed our feet in the Virgin River and the water was frigid. You'd have to have a dry suit to do it this time of year.

Hall's Crossing was pretty cool. The ferry still runs every two hours up until 6PM.

In the 4Runner I just fold down all the seats and unroll a sleeping pad under my sleeping bag. I love sleeping in it. Super quiet and secure.

Did you have a chance to do the Observation Point Trail? That could be a great one for your next visit. It climbs quite steeply for a while until you make it to the very top with a tremendous view of the canyon. That trail also connects to another one that exists all the way on the east side.

It is like a hiking version of Colorado 4x4 trails.

Fantastic trip!

 

[STX4Runner]

Did you have a chance to do the Observation Point Trail? That could be a great one for your next visit. It climbs quite steeply for a while until you make it to the very top with a tremendous view of the canyon. That trail also connects to another one that exists all the way on the east side.

It is like a hiking version of Colorado 4x4 trails.

Fantastic trip!

That sounds great. We just had time to do the Angel's Landing hike, though. Definately want to go back, but the crowds are crazy there. Would want to go back in the off season. Even in very early May on a weekday, the crowds were pretty thick.

 

[MAST4R]

That sounds great. We just had time to do the Angel's Landing hike, though. Definately want to go back, but the crowds are crazy there. Would want to go back in the off season. Even in very early May on a weekday, the crowds were pretty thick.

Yeah, we really don't go there though I am in Southern Utah pretty frequently.

The one time we went recently was for the winter holidays a couple years ago. It was acceptable in terms of crowds, but not on Angel's Landing. Plus it was icy. We made it to the part where you start climbing to the top, where the cables are. We did not have traction spikes either. The next day we rented some and went to Observation Point. Far fewer people there.

I had an Elephant Hill reservation for last fall but it fell through due to the rains. I now have another, we will see if it works out this time.