Moab Visit In August

I am planning a visit trip to Moab, and hit Staffers and White rim trail with some overnight, but bit confused on the rules they have now, anyone been recently this year and can shed some light on their permits and stuff, i have a annual National park pass and dont have issues getting into any other parks but sounds like there something odd about moab trails now, my plan is to go 3rd week of August for 4 days, any tips or recommendations, i am not planning into anything insane 4x4 just normal offroad and scenery stuff.

thanks for help in advance.

 

I guess no one traveled there this year

 

I know you need a permit to camp in the national parks. I would just call them and see what you need to do to be legit, and just start a conversation and ask them your questions.

 

You either need a day use or a camping permit for the white rim. You can go online to the NPS site and reserve a site. I think it is like $15 to $20 per vehicle/ night.

My wife and I did the White rim the first week of January (Stayed at White Crack Campground). Overall I would have rated the entire Trail Moderate due to all of the erosion/ Snow. I am not sure of the conditions in the summer but I am sure the trail is a lot more traveled. It was peaceful but kinda white knuckle going down Murphy's Hog Back with it covered in 1-2" of Snow/Ice. If you get a chance, visit Lathrop canyon. Its rated as a difficult but there is nothing crazy.

You might also want to go explore the La Sal Mtns. We just spent last weekend in Moab/ La Sal Mtns.

Some Pictures of the trip this past January and last weekend.

 

thats awesome, will stock tacoma do well or need to upgrade tires and everything else to get tho those?

 

The stock All Terrains that come with the Taco will be fine for the areas shown above. I would invest in at least a IFS/ Mid skid (not the cheezy factory one) If you are going to do the white rim. For the most part, the trail is an easy road. Going up Murphys hogbak and hardscrabble hill will require 4wd High/ Low to maintain control up the ascents/ decents(not sure of the current condition).

Also, you should plan on bringing enough gas to give you at least 1/2 of a tank (I brought ~9 gal (three 3gal rotopax). To the trail head (depending upon which end you start from) is about 40 - 50miles away from moab. The white rim itself is about 80miles of dirt and that was starting from Potash road (Shaffer switchbacks were closed in the winter). Dont see any reason why you might have to turn back in the middle of the trail but factor that in for fuel consumption.

Also, since you want to do this in August, bring plenty of water (mainly for mtn bikers!). The white rim is in a very remote place in canyon lands. A lot of mtn bikers do the trail un assisted and I have read countless stories of mtn bikers getting heat exhaustion.

You might also want to look into a tire repair kit (and know how to use it) for yourself and a small air compressor. If you get a flat on your spare, you may have to do a self rescue since it is August and not that many people want to experience 102* heat.

The pictures shown in the La Sal Mtns are easy (well Geyser Pass road is). If you want to form a loop you can do the La Sal Mtn Truck trail which is rated as a moderate (has small ledges and about 8 -10" size rocks). I did it last weekend and I was in 4low for most of the trail up to the summit (some sections were too much of a strain for 4hi). I can post links if you want info about the La Sal Mtn trails.

 

Thank you for info, i am planning to take a spare gas canister 5 gal and full tank before setting off, and lots of water, do have repair kit for tires(and done few in field myself) and compressor and a shovel did u deflate ur tires for the trail or wasnt to necessary. do u have exact names or part numbers for ur skid plates, i been looking for replacement of stock as they are not much protection.

 

Whenever I am offroad I always deflate my tires (~18psi) because they are 255/85/R16 (Toyo Mud Terrains). They have very stiff side walls. It provides a better ride, and keeps the wife/ dogs happy on our journeys.

I would look at Pelfreybilt. They are a vendor here on Tacoma World and I have personally met the owner. I randomly stopped by and he showed me around his manufacturing shop. He makes Steel/ Aluminum parts for air craft which is why there is such a long lead time on bumpers (not the main focus).

I will be ordering the Hybrid bumper for my 2011 soon and will deal with the 8 week leadtime!

 

We "tried" to cross over on La Sal Pass trail and it was blocked by snow at 9,200' the first week of June this year.





Still, it was a great trail even though it became an out and back.

Strongly recommend you check it out, as others have posted here, it's a cool break (literally) from the red rock and summer temps.



We also ran about 6 miles of White Rim (just past Musselman's Arch) and it was extremely scenic, and as others have mentioned, remote.



We understood for overnight travel you needed to apply for a permit in person at the Island In The Sky ranger's station, or apply online 30 days out from your trip. Double check to be sure, but IIRC that was what I read when we visited. There was a posted trail closure for White Rim as the 63 mile marker due to flooding, but we saw and spoke to a couple of Yota drivers ('16 4 Runner with lift and 12' Taco with lift & tires) who had run the whole trail in a day (they were coming up Shafer Switchbacks when we were headed down) and said with a well equipped (3" lift and tires) vehicle it was no problem.