Rough ideas about Moab???

Didn't want to start a "planning" thread for Moab run, until there was more input. Looks like a lot of people are interested and Moab is "as good as it gets". I have never put together a serious run, for a group of vehicles, so I hope some veterans might want to take charge.

Personally, I would love to go on a four to seven day trip in the "spring". The cool spring time, has more green and less dust, and is a real pleasure for camping. Plenty of spots to the northwest of Moab with good camping and "easy" access to Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands, Arches, etc... for simple family runs. Also lots of trailheads for the difficult stuff.

It would be a chance to make some good memories for everyone. Also a good place to scope out an unbelivable amount of off road opportunities, of every difficulty. Canyonlands is more restrictive and requires more permits and planning, but just looking down on the White Rim Trail, Islands in the Sky and the Needles is a wonderful thing. Maybe it would be a chance to talk about some serious exploring of the White Rim Trail, the Needles, etc.. for other trips in the future. It is so huge, a lifetime wouldn't be long enough to explore it all.

I've mostly gone solo, in a basically stock rig, so I don't have the experience to talk about details. I've got a buddy who's whole family has practically been raised on the slickrock, and he might be up for being there as a guide. Perhaps there are others reading this who have the experience to guide, that I am lacking???

Questions which come to my mind are:
How many want to come? More = more organization and support.
Is the goal glory or pleasure? Family fun or hardcore (or both?)
When would everyone want to go? I hate heat - others might not care.
Where to go depends on what everyone wants to accomplish?
Should it be a "once in a lifetime" or a "one of many" kind of trip?
Who wants to be boss? Seems easier with one chief and lots of indians - especially if the cheif has planned runs to the Moab area before.

etc..... etc....

 

I'd love to go.

College and work are the main issues for me though.

 

Sounds like fun to me.

I'm with ya on the cool times of the year though. Either spring or autumn would be good. Spring would probably be better to let me get a few upgrades done first though. If it was to happen this autumn, I probably wouldn't be able to attend due to a large project I have to finish.

As far as difficulty, if by going by this scale (http://www.4x4now.com/tr.htm), I might be willing to try a 3 to 3.5 if we had a good leader that thought my truck would be able to do it. I just dont know if our trucks have the clearance for the 4 and higher trails with out some major long travel work, but then again, I've never been there either, so no clue. I'm perfectly ok with keeping it easy as well.

Frequency, if we found someone willing to lead it, I wouldn't have any problems with a bi-yearly event. I dont see any problems with something like that, but I think a lot of that will depend on how the first one goes.

 

There's a lot of easy stuff, hard stuff and a little medium stuff.

http://www.traildamage.com/ has some good reports.

I think most would be interested in something medium.

A hard trail should be planned too for those with more capable rigs.

 

Count me in. I have been wanting to go down to Moab for awhile. This will give me an excuse to put it on the calendar.

 

Will definitely be keeping an eye on this. Have never done anything in moab except hike to arches. Stoked!

 

Hey...

I found another excellent site: Red Rock Wheelers, rr4w.com. They are all about the Moab area and their descriptions are for real. Check out the 1 to 10 scale (personally I'm about a 4.5 at present and hope to be a 7 by the spring). I doubt I'll ever have the budget for 8+ trails.

The Moab Mesa, Poison Spider, and Golden Spike are the toughest I have run, in a long travel and air locker equipped Jeep, that I rented in Moab. I didn't have the experience, budget, or brass to tackle Pritchett Canyon.

Timmer's trek is a ways to the north and west and in the general area I've spent most of my time. Hey timmer - when are you thinking of going? Want company?

The trails and roads in the NW are mostly fine for TRD 4X4's, and there is good camping. I was impressed how well people have cared for the area, and it was easy to Leave-No-Trace. Where there are difficult spots there is often another easier access on a different trail. Timmer's suggested set up makes most of this area an easy drive, with a little caution and attention.

98tacoma27's pictures bring back good memories. Looks like he might have some input to share - expecially with 25,198 posts and counting -

I think Ill make some calls, pull out my trail maps, and do a bunch of web crawlin... sure would be a good way to spend a few days...

 

1: County dirt road maintained for high clearance 2WD and 4WD use in adverse conditions.


2: County dirt road with infrequent or light maintenance after rain or snow, 2WD high clearance with low gears, otherwise light duty 4WD.


3: Road with frequent use, but seldom maintained. Dirt, sand and slick rock surfaces, with mud holes possible (note: maybe impassable when wet due to soil composition.). 4WD recommended under most circumstances due to ruts or wash erosion.


4: Road surface consisting of loose rock, dirt, and sand with some slickrock surfaces. Erosion, washes, gulches and rock steps no higher than 12". 4WD is recommended with good ground clearance and driving skills. Aggressive tires and limited slip would be a plus. Water and mud is possible.


5: Road surfaces are rutted, rocky and sandy with steps not exceeding 14", with considerable slickrock surfaces. Water not exceeding 12" with some mud possible. Good vehicle approach and departure angles are helpful. Tall tires (33" plus) and traction added device (lockers, limited slips) is recommended. Above average driving skills are desirable.


6: Roads are difficult with considerable erosion damage repaired just enough to be passable. Water in excess of 12" is possible with mud conditions. Steps not exceeding 24". Tall tires (33" plus) with traction added devices (lockers, limited slips) are recommended. A winch would be a plus. Enhanced suspension travel and ground clearance are helpful. Excellent driving skills are recommended.


7: Trail consists of rock; sand and considerable slickrock with many steps exceeding 24". Steep inclines and declines are prevalent. Enhanced off road equipment is required including locking devices (front & rear), tall tires, maximum vehicle ground clearance, and tow hooks. A winch is desirable. Excellent driving skills are required. Vehicle mechanical or body damage is likely. Roll over possibilities exist.


8: Extreme trail similar to #7 except a bit more extreme. Excellent driving skills are required. Vehicle damage is likely. Equipment or mechanical damage is probable. Lockers front and rear, as well as a winch are mandatory equipment!


9: Extreme and beyond, similar to #8. Vehicle damage is likely. Excellent driving skills are required. Roll over is very common. Winches, spare parts and tools are recommended. Be prepared to spend the night on the trail. Beyond the capability of most modified stock vehicles.


10: Let the carnage begin! Buggy territory. Street driven 4X4’s should not attempt this trail. Modified factory vehicles will not be able to complete this trail.


The other scale

1 All weather road; 4WD not needed.
1 1/2 Graded road; 4WD may be needed in poor weather.
2 Unimproved or rarely graded road. 4WD or extra clearance needed at times, with no special driving skills required.
2 1/2 Road rarely maintained, 4WD, good clearance, low gears often needed, with some extra care and a bit of driving experience useful.
3 Road in difficult terrain, rarely maintained, 4WD, good clearance, and low gears essential, with some driving skill and daring required.
3 1/2 Road in difficult terrain, probably maintained only by occasional users. Excellent stock truck or utility vehicle required, with considerable driving skill and daring needed.
4 Trail either never bladed or badly eroded. Stock vehicles are in jeopardy. Modifications for improved off-road performance and top driving skills needed.
4 + We can hardly improve on the original description written a few years ago by Jack Bickers: "with driving by World Class Yahoo Jeepers not much concerned with vehicle durability or personal safety." It is common to have as many as 10 percent of the vehicles experience major mechanical failures (gears, axles, driveshafts) on these trails.

 

Going by the 10 scale, tire height is going to be my major restriction since I need to keep my truck street legal as well.

I am eventually planning to move to 33's (285/75R16), but larger than that just isn't going to happen on my 1st gen with out some major fender work and/or lifts, making the truck not street legal. I guess that puts me at about a 5 or 6 with a good guide, after I get sliders, install my suspension, and get new wheels/tires.

I also see it as there being a point that there's an increase risk of damage to components. If we go by the 10x scale, I wouldn't want to take anything above a 4, even after upgrades. The trails rated 5+ seem to be more for dedicated rigs with higher chance of body damage and/or breaking things.

 

Most if not everyones truck should do just fine. My truck stock with only 31" tires did 3.5's and a 4+ (hells revenge) with eaze..i also have a 4l 2.7... although i do have a really short wheel base.

but it all depends on if your willing to take a risk.. i came back with small dent and 2 scrapes from trees on each side of my truck.. so i highly recommend everyone invest in some rock sliders. If you dont like the look and dont want it permanent CBI offers clamp on sliders instead of the welds. Theyre probably about 400 to 500 dollars.

Id be down for a spring time run.. Although if we have a ton of people lets not go during the easter jeep safari because it will be a mad house. This year I went during the end of east jeep safari and it was a blast.. there was still people, the weather was good, and it wasnt packed.. I stayed at the Slick Rock Campground. its pretty big we could all maybe stay there get a bunch of campground together?

 

Shawn if you are ok with it I think you should get thread started and we can start taking names. It sounds like you have a much better idea of the area than any of us. I would be happy to help out.

I would agree that we need to stay away from Jeep Safari Easter weekend. I think there would also be some interest if in a fall trip to Moab.

 

I've done some 4-5 rated stuff in my truck with the lift and stock tires on the 1-10 scale.

 

+1

 

+1
... I'd rather be a part of a squadron than an army ... more personal and fun... more time actually driving... easier to organize... and less impact on nature.

Since I am basically retired I could provide a fair bit of support for someone with more experience running in a group... H

 

alright guys heres the moab thread.. lets get it started! ideas ideas ideas!

UPDATE: hey sorry guys my link I put up was bad.. here is the new link to the thread.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/south-west/100681-2011-tw-moab-trip.html

 

bump

 

Don't forget to bring your beer! Utah has weird liquor laws.

 

Also think its time to kill this thread and keep everything to Shawn's new thread... please