So I'm in Moab

Talk about haphazard. I had the time, so I went. I'm in a stock 2015 4x4 Access Cab Off Road. 40,000+ miles on the Rugged Fails.

Decided to make a big curve from my trip from WA to Los Angeles. Got a nice hotel room at the Big Horn Lodge in Moab, clean room, nice price of $110.

In the morning I plan to head over to the Arches NP and then make my way westward over the next couple of days through the Parks, Monuments, and such.

I've got a cap and platform set up so I can sleep in the back but it's quite hot (87 degrees at 11pm) and I'm not sure how that will go.

Not sure when I'll have WiFi access but any suggestions? Got plenty of food & water.

 

Go drive Fins and Things before you leave town.

 

Here are a couple of threads to look at
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wife-and-i-are-heading-to-archers-moab-for-first-time.492656/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/moab-trip-5-13-5-18.491002/

 

Gemini Bridges or the Shafer Trail are both good first timer trails. Dead Horse point overlooks the Shafer Trail so going there before or after gives a cool perspective difference.

 

I wish I could take spontaneous trips to Moab like this. SUPER JELLY. Have a great time and take pictures so other members can live vicariously through you.

 

Food and water is good, but probably should get some beer next time you have a chance

 

Driving up to Geyser Pass and then down the backside to HWY 141 via forest service roads is a good way to kill a morning. Like others have said Shafer trail down to Potash road is really good, your stock truck can handle it no problem.

 

It's been wickedly hot the last few weeks; best bet is to be up early, siesta midday, then keep going until 9. Potash to Shafer and Fins and Things are classics (add in Slickrocks while you're in Sand Flats if you mountain bike) and will be pretty easy stock.

Arches is closed 1900-0700 S/M/T/W/Th so plan accordingly, but the Primitive Loop is a great hike if you hit it before it gets hot. Plenty of BLM land for camping near the north (Tower Arch) entrance to the park.

Hidden Valley and Mill Creek (near Potato Salad Hill) are other great hikes.

Dead Horse SP is worth the stop: I normally take people Potash to Shafer, Dead Horse, then back to town via 313 but you could substitute Gemini Bridges for a beautiful 4-6 hour tour.

Head up 128 (the River Road) at sunrise or sunset. Grandstaff (Negro Bill) Canyon is a nice hike off of 128: Top of the World branches off of 128 as well but the last 2 miles might be a bit exciting stock. Great views though.

Lops Pop Shop, Milt's, Sweet Cravings, Jailhouse, and Eklecticafe are all good food - make sure to drink more water than you think you need.

 

Got back, did Fins & Things, or half of it, Wouldn't recommend for a stock truck. Have a pic or two I'll post later.

 

is the la sal loop road open to geyser pass?

 

Don't know. You could call the Manti-La Sal NF, Moab Ranger District office. 435-259-7155

 

yea every time i call for whatever question they are dumb and make me mad

 

So Fins & Things wasn't the trail for me. I did the southern part of the trail first. There are plenty of routes so I was able to pick trails to avoid the big stuff. Going solo on an unfamiliar trail I was getting out and looking every 100 yards or so.

Nice view looking back at Moab.


I got almost all the through of the southern trail when I ran into this:


Sorry, this isn't working out. for whatever reason as I upload pics it's inserting the previous pics as well.

Anyway I got to an obstacle I couldn't get around and scrapped my trailer receiver about 8' on. My trailer connector would have been wiped out but I had taken it off the bracket and stuffed it into the frame awhile ago.

I did start the northern section of trail but jumped off about half way through to the main trail that splits the North & South sections.

Then I drove through Arches to see the spectacular views. Glad I tried but more glad I didn't get stuck.

 

My Scrape, the center one with the dirt streak.

 

Nice view


I was in Utah for about 5 days and was chased by rain the whole time, from sprinkles to a downpour, some amazing lightning too.

 

We did that trail last year and a brand new Tacoma passed us. Looked like he was on the test drive.

Everybody scrapes on that obstacle

 

Sounds like you had a great trip

 

Great pics.

 

Cool trip

 

Very nice !