Midwest -> Moab March 24- April 2 2023

I would love to have visitors from WI. Should have some trails scouted out by then. I went to quiet a few spring training games last time I lived in AZ. I think there's like 15 teams in the spring training Cactus league, it's a great time!

 

I think it was 2015 when I was last in AZ and I got to see a couple Brewers spring training games. Great time, nice park and a hell of a lot cheaper than Miller Park. Would love to get back there. The closer to the season's opening day you can go, the more regular starters you'll see playing.

 

I have one very similar to this one. Less than $30.

Baofeng UV-9R Dustproof Waterproof IP67 Transceiver Walkie Talkie Two Way Radio with A Telescopic Antenna

https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-400-520MHZ-Dustproof-Waterproof-Transceiver/dp/B06XHCFG4T?ac_md=0-0-QnVkZ2V0IFBpY2s%3D-ac_d_bv_bv_bv&content-id=amzn1.sym.98e5011d-d2c1-40d9-883b-df005580173e%3Aamzn1.sym.98e5011d-d2c1-40d9-883b-df005580173e&crid=DUI5GAETXLX3&cv_ct_cx=baofeng+uv-9r&keywords=baofeng+uv-9r&pd_rd_i=B06XHCFG4T&pd_rd_r=774caa5c-8f7a-49b7-b73b-e932fcf412bf&pd_rd_w=c0Q0S&pd_rd_wg=DvLvn&pf_rd_p=98e5011d-d2c1-40d9-883b-df005580173e&pf_rd_r=463WT6EW09T4G3HYZEXN&qid=1671824663&sprefix=baofeng+uv-9r%2Caps%2C202&sr=1-1-270ce31b-afa8-499f-878b-3bb461a9a5a6&th=1

Here's a tute for the UV-5G, but it transfers to the UV-9R.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoVZ_8f3jPU&t=192s

 

Mine doesn't reset until late June, only have 3 days left, 2 for a trip in early June and will likely use the last for Wyalusing.

 

I have that radio too...solid little radio.

 

So as I am looking through my FunTreks book on Moab, I have a new trail preface: A bit tippy. Wisconsin has trails that are a bit "scratchy" but out west one should be concerned with anything a bit "tippy" it seems.

That said, for those that have been out there recently, what are your favorite trails?

 

Like Adam said, great opportunity, that's something you just have to jump on. A wise man once said: nothing ventured, nothing gained (or lost, but this will be a gain). Life has it's twists and turns.

Anyone know if the AZ forum is as active as the WI forum?

 

Have you seen the vids @Stoney Ranger posted? He'd be the one to ask.

 

I want to do Hell's revenge, Top of the World, and the trifecta (Poison Spider, Golden Spike and Gold Bar Rim). 7 mile rim would be fun also.

 

What is the pace? One a day or a couple per day? I had TOW on my list. Hell's Revenge might be a stretch (no lockers yet) but I'm game and not too proud to use the bypasses. The trifecta sounds good but I might be out of my league on the Golden Spike... Fins?

 

Oof, that's right you're open/ open with no A-Trac. Yeah that might be a stretch for theTrifecta. We can just put a pin in that plan. You have 2 months to get lockes lol.

I'd be interested in doing fins and things.

I'll have to get out my Funtrek book and look through it for more options.

As for pace, really hard to figure. Never know how busy it'll be.

@Stoney Ranger any trails you'd like to do or opinions?

 

I should be able to do two of the three and there is a bailout on that one... 2/3 is better than none! Lockers won't happen this year, sorry. Money just isn't there. you can tow me up...

 

Off the bat, I don't have lockers, either. But I am equipped with A-Trac. I did Fins and Things, Hells Revenge and Lockheart Basin. Fins and Things and Hell's Revenge are right next to each other and both can be done on the same day, if we get on the trail early enough. Say before 8:00. Earlier is better. Traffic will affect how long we are on a trail. When I was there, traffic was non-issue. I did them on separate days, on the trail by 10:00 a.m., and we were back to camp by 4:00. Poison Spider may be above my truck's ability, I only have a 2" lift, but I would really like to give it a shot.

My take on Hell's Revenge is that it has a reputation it does not deserve, Hell's Gate not withstanding. IMO, the big, steep drop-offs are what made this trail famous. Keep the wheels on the black tire marks and all is good. If you're afraid of heights, you will get a major adrenaline dump. (i.e., freak out) I thought it was fun.

I watched a video on 7 Mile Rim. I'd like to try that one, too. Will have to do the bypass in a couple of places, though.

The trails I did, in this order, easiest to most difficult, so I could get some experience without getting in too far over my head. And make no mistake, I was "in-over-my-head" numerous times. I didn't have the experience, but the learning curve is steep. Obstacles I may have fretted over early in the trip I said, "Pfft", later in the week.

1) Baby Lions Back- This the "dip your toes" trail. Takes 5 mins. You pass this getting to Fins-and-Things and Hell's Revenge. It is a "must-do" simply for the steepness. No real obstacles here, but I still kinda freaked out on this one. Ya know, it was my 1st time at the "big game". But it is a really good intro to what lies ahead. Gets your mindset on the right track.
2) Fins and Things
3) Hell's Revenge
4) Top-of the-World
5) Lockheart Basin

 

Also, I highly recommend picking up one of those little tripod thingys, so you can record your wheelin' without having the phone in your hand. I wish I had had one.

 

Bought a DMM and will have a way to mount my GoPro next year.

 

I had my Gopro mounded to my DMM last trip to Moab. Worked out well. DMM is my favorite addition to the intior.

 

If I am not mistaken we can camp out near Fins/Hell's Revenge: have to look in my notes but I thought there was dispersed camping out there near the start of those.

 

Hell's gate is the only reason I want to do hells revenge. It's just one of those iconic obstacles.

As for the trifecta. If camp up near Dead horse state park we can take the Long Canyon trail which gets close to the poison spider trail head. Not sure we can get all 3 trails done before the sun sets that time of year but we can always keep following poison spider instead of getting on gold bar to skip out early.

 

There's camp sites at Fisher Towers which is near Top of the world trail also. Bit I think the sites are limited, might be only 5 or so

 

Hell's Revenge is easier than Top-of-the-World. We could do Fins and Things and Hell's Revenge the first day. It'll be a long day, but doable. Top of the World on day 2. Took 5-ish hours up and back from the trailhead. These trails will give you good idea what your rig is capable of. I would then like to do Poison Spider and/or 7 Mile Rim later in the week. But I am open to anything.

If you want to disperse camp, there are regs. for taking care of your poop. (i.e. carrying and storing it. Yes, you have to take it with you when you leave camp.) There are chemicals available to mitigate the stench. Then you need to find a legal place to dump it. If we can figure out how dump our shit, I'll gladly camp at a dispersed site. If not, then I would rather set up a car camping site as a base.

Keep in mind I am set up for car camping. I'll need room for a 4 person tent.