Couple of Moab questions for the locals

There is a lot of (too much?) information to process for a first trip to Moab, and when talking equipment, it gets real subjective. Lot of optimists with a "no problem with stock" attitude, lot of pessimists with a "hell no". Would appreciate local opinions as to what following routes are doable for an off-road novice with the following equipment. 4 people, 2 vehicles. Other vehicle is stock Rubicon, thoughts on capability compared to the Jeep. Looking for some challenges and great views, nothing extreme. Want to test the vehicle, not trash. Thanks.

- 2017 TRDOR
- front Mobtown recover bar
- TRD aluminum front skid
- 2" lift - https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p402/Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_w/_Dakars_(HS16BK-1-Dakar).htmlinch lift -
- Duratracs - 265/75/16
- CBI - sliders
- rear bumper removal

Tip Toe Through Hell
Elephant Hill
Porcupine Rim
Seven Mile Rim
Hell's Revenge
Strike Ravine
Lockhart Basin

GoneMOAB (nissan site) rated all these Blue with the following specs.

4x4 Experience: Novice
Armor: None Needed
Min Tire Size: Stock
Lockers: None Needed

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.

 

Great info, exactly what I am after. Elephant Hill looks tight (narrow).

Thanks.

 

I've been to the start of Elephant Hill and elected not to try it (for a variety of reasons and this was years ago). I've driven the first part of Lockhart coming out of Moab in that you take the same road over Hurrah Pass out to a junction where if you go left it's Lockhart and if you go straight it's Chicken Corners, and I've been out there a couple of times. Make sure you take that spur, and if you are at all uncomfortable before even getting to the junction (or out to the corners and back), you might want to reconsider. I haven't run anything else on your list. I've done things like Gemini Bridges (top and bottom), most of Top of the World (walking what I didn't drive at the end), Long Canyon (only a little spot of 4x4 near the top unless washouts have done things, but still some great scenery), the 4x4 road in Arches, and the White Rim. 132 south of town goes up to some overlooks that have fantastic views out over Canyonlands (including looking down on Hurrah Pass) - most are just gravel road accessible, but there is a relatively easy 4x4 spur out to one.

I still consider myself a novice, but I'm more comfortable and knowledgeable than some people I've run into. I will echo In4aride (who has run a whole lot more out there than I have) - start easy, work your way up. There is *plenty* to see and do and just dip your toe in to the 4x4 aspect of things. Challenges are relative. I don't know if they're still sticking it in the same place, but if you have one remove or relocate your trailer plug if it hangs below the bumper at all - he's not kidding about dragging the hitch, and there's a very high probability you will hit that stupid plug too. I cracked/bent mine (without even touching the bumper) the first time I took the truck out there, and I wasn't even running anything difficult.

 

Appreciate the detailed replies.

 

Thanks for starting the thread OP!
I'll be going to Moab on the 20th of this month for my first trip. I've wheeled all over CO, but have no Moab experience.

Question to those in the know what is White Rim like, I assume it's a long day trip better served over a couple days?

What are the best intro to Moab trails that one should see/do?

 

2.5" lift, 285s, CBI Sliders, 16 TRDOR. I've run everything in the San Juans (engineer, Poughkeepsie, Black Bear), Mosquito, Webster, Red Cone...

I feel I have reasonable skill, I'm not trying to beat my truck and I'm not trying to justify new bumpers by tearing them off... Mainly want to have fun and see something new and different.

Thanks,

 

Thanks to replies, I have decide to go with the HD Dakar pack on the lift. AAL gets me 2" unloaded, but less with recovery gear, tools, extra fuel, etc. That departure angle is going to take a hit.

 

Size is mentioned in the side bar...
I understand the trails aren’t a comparison, more giving a context to experience.
Thanks for the info.

 

A very long day trip, yes. Especially if you get out at very many places, like the slot canyon, and there are a number of cool places to stop. It's 100 miles, but there's little to nothing that would actually require four wheel drive, at least when I last did it. Couple of steep hills and rough spots. If you're not doing extensive hikes or biking, two days would be plenty. You know you need a permit right, and that they're only available a day in advance and in limited numbers (50 total, 25 online and 25 in person)?

I'd recommend the Chicken Corners trail. TotW ends great and has a few 'challenge' spots, but overall it's a lot of meh for that wow. Gemini is also cool, but would be the busiest of anything named - at least up top. Fewer down on the bottom spur, and harder trail too. I haven't done any of the 'real' trails.

 

Permits. Is there a comprehensive listing available? I did some searching and found them listed as required for the following:

White Rim Road
Elephant Hill Road
Lavender Canyon Road
Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads


Any of these require them as well?

Tip Toe Through Hell
Porcupine Rim
Seven Mile Rim
Hell's Revenge
Strike Ravine
Lockhart Basin

Thanks.

 

All of the ones you listed requiring permits are within the National Park and subject to their backcountry management plan, which is why they require the permits (though White Rim only started requiring that in recent years). Be aware that Peekaboo/Horse has some areas of deep/soft sand, and assuming it hasn't changed in the years since I've been there, one spot where you risk cab damage due to an overhang. Side note, frontiersmen were so... limited in their naming creativity. I had to look that one up because there are sooooo many things out there named Peekaboo and Horse that I wasn't sure which one it was, and I've been on it.

To the best of my knowledge, all the rest of them are on BLM lands and generally open to travel without a permit. The only comprehensive list I can think you might find would be on trailsoffroad.com, unless there happened to be on in some guidebook or published map somewhere (btw, I find the Trails Illustrated maps for Moab, two of them, north and south, to be useful and worth it - they sell them at the visitor center in town).

 

Thanks, acidchylde. Excellent detailed information.

 

I just got back from Moab. It is an awesome place to explore. As my truck sits currently I am on the OME Nitrocharger Kit, 285/70R17s, and I have RCI Sliders and a Mobtown Rear Bumper.

While I was there I ran Onion Creek (easy, but beautiful), Fins N Things, Hells Revenge (not the gate or the escalator) and Top of the World Trail.

• Onion Creek, a very easy trail, basically a dirt road but super beautiful, lots of small water crossings and tons of great camping in the area.
• Fins N Things was the first 'hard' trail of the trip and really was not all that difficult with the exception of needing nerves of almost steel and patience. There are a lot of points on the trail that require careful approaches and departures in order to minimize ripping bumpers off. I never hit my front bumper but did kiss the rear a few times.

• Hells Revenge was my favorite trail of the trip. There were tons of obstacles that you can make easy or hard depending on how you're feeling. I skipped the Gate and the Escalator but did one of the hot tubs and all other obstacles. Kind of the same story with Fins, just pay attention and you can avoid total carnage but be prepared to touch-up your sliders and possibly pick up your bumper caps from the trail
• Top of the World in my opinion the hardest trail out of the bunch that I ran. We did this in an afternoon and ended up coming down the last 1/2 of the trail in the dark. On the way up everything can be taken on with our trucks but you WILL use your sliders here. Lots of steps and ledges where the truck will drop, worth doing but expect to hear metal on rock.

good luck and have fun!

 

GREAT pictures and information, just the kind of stuff I need. What is the lift on that setup? Thanks!

 

Old Man Emu Nitrocharger with 887 coils and the HD leaf pack

 

Thanks.

 

I am heading out to Moab (again) in November. Last year I ran Poison Spider and 7 mile. LOVED Poison Spider. Looking at running Hells this year!

 

how was poison spider? looks pretty rough?

 

Poison Spider was one of the more difficult trails I had run up to that point. Some of the climbs increased the pucker factor but at the end of the day I was so stoked to have ridden that trail and proven that my truck (and I) were capable of some cool stuff. You only get better and only find out the trucks capabilities by pushing the comfort zone a little bit. Hells has intimidated me up to now but this November, we will dance!

 

HELLS is awesome! Is PS comparable to Top of the World?