Moab Club Run

Moab Club Run
April 9-16, 2011
Report prepared by Rich Wohlers and Mike Whittington

Attendees:
Mike & Laura Whittington - Trip Leaders
Rich & Corkey Wohlers, Bill Cavan, Jeff & Carol Sanders, Mike Bourdon, Bob Boltner, Norm & Pat Taylor, Dale Merrill & Dave Worley (friends of the Wohers')

Rich and Cork got to Moab on Saturday afternoon. Rich’s friends Dale and Dave from SLC had also arrived earlier on Saturday. The rest of the OTR group got there on Sunday afternoon after spending Saturday night in Cedar City, Utah. We woke up to snow on Sunday morning in Cedar and drove most of the rest of the way to Moab with snow falling and several inches on the road.

Sunday:
Upon arrival in Moab on Sunday afternoon the weather was beautiful. Most of the group decided to do a short, shake down run up Moab Rim. Due to time limitations, we wheeled to the top to the rim, took in the great view of Moab and the surrounding red rock beauty then headed back to camp and dinner at the Moab Brewery.

Monday:
On Monday the entire group did Rose Garden Hill and Top Of The World trails. As many times I have been to Moab, I have never done RGH and TOTW. With the exception of the steep, long and rough climb up RGH, the trails are relatively easy but fun. The trails are located Northeast of Moab in mostly scrub cedar without a lot of slick rock (sandstone). The views (as they were all week) were mind blowing beautiful.

Tuesday:
On Tuesday we split up. The Wohlers', Dale and Dave drove down to the Needles district of Canyonlands The rest of the group did Golden Spike trail.
Rich: We stopped at Newspaper Rock and then into the park. We ran Elephant Hill, which was fun and then further into the park. We had a couple of instances where the tumbleweeds had been blown onto the trail, such that the trail was not visible. We stopped to look at pictographs and marvel at the pinnacle peaks all around us. We had mostly easy roads/trails with a couple of nice four wheel areas interspersed. We went into Ruins and Beef Basin. In the Ruins area we found a couple of Anasazi built structures, which were built around 800-1000 years ago. The road out took us high in the mountains and the roads were muddy with snow and water. The round trip for the day was just over 200 miles.
Mike: I believe Golden Spike is the longest of the Easter Jeep Safari Trails. It is also my personal favorite. I've done the trail many times and never get tired of it. This year was a bit interesting as the normal markers (stenciled golden spikes on the rocks) were difficult to spot in some sections. On top of this, there was a recent cross country foot race and they painted white broken lines along the trail that didn't necessarily follow the GS route. Thanks to the GPS we found our way with a few short deviations from the main route. Our only mishap was a broken tire bead on Norm Taylors XJ which was quickly repaired. I wanted Jeff and I to get an opportunity to play on the Double Whammy but drove right past it, realizing it too late!

Wednesday:
Rich: On Wednesday we did another run separate from the rest of the group. The trail is called Hunter Canyon and it comes out through Arches. We stopped to look at dinosaur tracks, Tower Arch and a variety of the other neat things to see in the area.
Mike: The rest of the group did Hell's Revenge Trail. Located just East of town, this is a very popular trail that is 90+ percent slick rock. Upon entering the trail, we ran into Dan Mick. For those that have never heard of Dan, he is a local, knows all the trails like the back of his hand and runs an 4-Wheeling guide service. When we saw him, he was doing HR with two paying passengers in his Jeep. Apparently he had a scanner because he quickly joined into our conversations on the CB (Dan is never short for words and jokes). We tagged with Dan up to and including a run up Hells Gate, a nasty steep narrow obstacle. Dan went up first. After he topped out, I followed. I have probably been up this obstacle a half dozen times without incident but know how dangerous it can be. This time I found out just how dangerous first hand. Nearing the top, I jogged left when I should have dipped left then right. The next thing I knew, I was on my side and sliding backwards! Thankfully I stopped. Anybody who has ever watched the uTube video of the Jeep rolling 2.5 times back down the hill would know what went through my mind when I started sliding. Thankfully I stopped quickly, held the brakes tightly and didn't move a muscle until help arrived. The guys called Dan back (since they were all behind me). Dan quickly turned around and got a winch line on me and pulled me out of trouble while the guys de-flopped the Jeep Conan The Barbarian style. Thankfully the only damage to the Jeep was my brand new Rampage Top...what a bummer. Somehow during the flop (and I have no clue how) my left hand found its way outside the Jeep between the rock wall and the plastic door surround. Thankfully the only damage done was some abrasions on the back of my hand and swelling. Upon returning home, I went to the doctor where they X-rayed my hand. Thankfully no broken bones! Dan spotted the rest of the guys up "The Gate" without incident. Thanks for your help Dan!!! Glad we could put on a show for your passengers. After clearing a hydro-locked engine we ate lunch and proceeded on.
Following Hell's Revenge, we visited Potato Salad Hill where Jeff and I climbed it. What a rush!!!

Thursday:
On Thursday Dale and Dave left. Everybody did Cliffhanger Trail. (I wanted to do Pritchett Canyon but the hand and head decided otherwise). CH is a kick! Not too long...some nice obstacles and as always great views of the area. It is an up and back trail with the end (and lunch spot), overlooking the Colorado River about 1000 feet below us. Cliffhanger gets its name for good reason as a section of the trail is literally cut into the same cliff above the river. You can look out your window and see the canyon floor waaaaay down there. I love it!

Friday:
On Friday most of the OTR group left. Staying behind were Rich, Corkey, Norm and Pat (the retired folks).
Rich: We discussed what to do and decided to run a trail north of town called Hidden Canyon and Hidden Canyon Overlook. Since Norm and Pat were interested in learning how to do Geocaching, we identified three caches on our way along 191 and found all three. We had downloaded a couple of more on Hidden Canyon, but had turned around before finding. The trail was fun and the terrain interesting. It was cold and windy with a couple of rain drops here and there; just enough to make mud.

On Saturday Norm and Pat left and we went into the Islands in the Sky area of Canyonlands north and west of Moab. We stopped at most of the overlooks and took a couple of the short walks to look down into Canyonlands. You can see the off road trails down there that would be fun to take some time. To do a lot of them would mean a multi day trip with overnight camping. We left the park by the Shafer Trail. This trail drops down off the plateau at least a 1000 feet with a bunch of steep switch backs. Once down, the trail out can be rocky or smooth. The trail follows above the Colorado River a lot of the way and comes out at the Pot Ash Plant. We looked, but could not see any Jeeps on Cliffhanger. Once again, today was cold and windy, but it did not deter us from having another great day in Moab.

Sunday, there are blue skies and no clouds.

Mike's final comments:
Each day after running trails we met back in camp for happy hour and bench racing then either off to one of Moab's surprisingly good restaurants or dinner in the motor home. We drove to Moab in snow and drove home in snow but amazingly the weather in Moab and the surrounding area remained nice all week...weird but I'm not complaining. Thanks to all for making this such a great trip. Cannot wait until next year!