Pritchett Canyon

Gopher Flats
October 13, 2019
Moab, UT

One of the most difficult Jeep trails in Moab (according to the Charles Wells Guide, the Red Rock 4 Wheelers rating and many locals) is Pritchett Canyon.  Pritchett has been on our list of trails to check off since we got Wile E, but for one reason or another, we haven't done it.  Since there is a high risk of roll-over (YIKES!) and an even higher probability of breakage we didn't want to risk loosing Wile E. until late in our Moab visit. So....

The scheduled club ride for October 13 was Pritchett.  We decided to give it a try knowing it was close to the end of our stay in Moab and because it seems to be getting more and more difficult every year.  Also, knowing the best spotters EVER would be with us to help us maneuver these hard core challenges made the decision a lot easier.   

We followed Jeff with Dee right behind us.

Strategy : a high level plan to achieve a goal under conditions of uncertainty !  Uncertainty being a key factor we needed a high level plan so Jeff takes a few minutes to go over one of the first challenges with Joe. 

Then Joe watches and Dee photographs as Jeff climbs right up Chewey.

Joe and I were thrilled to see Rory show up for Pritchett.  Along with Jeff and Dee, Rory is also a great spotter and indeed spotted us up and down several places.

Trail Mator is so much fun to have along...well, Rory is too...on trail.  It is so cool watching that monster truck maneuver the obstacles.  Chewey gets way tippy and the fun was just beginning !

  




















There are many almost vertical climbs...   

Dee (driving Blanche) always makes them look easy. 

...and tall, tippy ledges.  Rocker Knocker was our favorite obstacle.  We watched as Jeff drove it first.  The front passenger tire climbs a tall ledge...

Jeff built his Samari buggy.

...the passenger front tire does a dig and moves the jeep across the ledge...

...until the driver tire hooks up and pulls the jeep up and over the tall ledge. 

Jeff makes it look so easy!

Dee drove it after us.  This is what it looks like from the front.  

Passenger tire climbs...

...does a dig and moves the jeep across the ledge...

...and the driver tire hooks up and pulls the jeep up.  Dee makes it looks so easy!

Susan, Jeff's wife was next. (Jeff built her Samari buggy as well as many other buggies in his business "Dirt Squirrel Inc".)

Susan...just before the driver tire hooks up.

With all the challenging and famous obstacles on Pritchett like Axle Hill, Rock Pile and Yellow Hill it is hard to take in the gorgeous scenery.

Pritchett Arch 

Window Arch

Our first Pritchett run was a huge success...Joe and I were all smiles and talked about it for days. We really are proud while at the same time very humbled.  Were it not for wonderful friends like Dee, Jeff & Rory, we would never have even dreamed of doing anything in our lives this exciting.  Knowing how much they care about our happiness and wellbeing is just unbelievable. We are so very, very, Blessed !!!

Our last club run for the year was Metal Masher on Oct. 19 .  Like Pritchett there was a large turn-out of vehicles.  MM is a fun trail with lots of tall ledges, slick rock domes (including Widow Maker), narrow passages, and beautiful overlooks and vistas.  There are lots of blog posts about MM and if you want more pictures or info, use the search engine in the side bar.      

Jeff climbs a tall ledge...

Dee gets flexy on the rim with Hwy 313 in view...

I love these gnarly old trees!

 The next day, we returned to Metal Masher with Jeff and Dee to help Keith, a friend and club member, get his jeep.  He left it overnight at the bottom of Misty's Thumb (don't ask...its not a pretty picture how this obstacle got it's name) when his starter decided not to work.  Jeff took us a different way and before we got to Keith's vehicle, we enjoyed a gorgeous view of Gooney Bird Valley.

L to R: Dee, us, Jeff (Keith rode with Jeff)

 
Our last few days in Moab went by all too quick.  The weather plays an important part in our travels.  Reservations had been made in advance for our travels heading south, and then a freaky very cold weather system was forecast with lows in the single digits.  In hindsight, we probably should have adjusted reservations and left a week or so earlier.  Oh well, that's life !  

New banners on Main Street show pictures of motorized vehicles, bicycles, and hikers with emphasis on "Stay on the trails".  I like it! 

Up next...Bluff, UT.  Until then...

Heading home on the county road after Pritchett...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Cliffhanger and Metal Masher

Gopher Flats
April 25, 2018
Moab, UT

Things are rolling along here in Moab.  We are moving at a slow steady pace to get get things done and have some fun.  

Dave led, followed by Dee, us and Scott

After all the work was completed on Wile E, we headed out to do my favorite trail...Cliffhanger.  Just mentioning scary fun and beautiful scenery always puts Cliffhanger at the top of the list for me.


Huge boulders and ledges grab your attention from the get-go. 

Any day on trail is a good day.  When I'm not paying attention to the trail and tire placement, I enjoy all the big things and all the little things.








 The cliff side of the trail gives the trail it's name...a story or event with a strong element of suspense.  Yep, it's pretty close to the edge...

 ...and if that's not enough, there is a good size obstacle of large (ummm huge!) boulders to descend.  Keep in mind that this is an in and out trail so what goes down has to go up.  But just like hiking, I think it's easier to go up when wheeling too. 

From here it's not that far to the overlook.  A nice lunch with friends and a view !  

 From there it was all downhill...literally at 15 to 20 mph and no brakes.  As we were heading out after lunch,  the pins holding the passenger front brake calipers on came out.  Dave helped out and we thought it was fixed,  but as Joe was heading downhill to get off a ledge, he had NO brakes.  Quick thinker he is,  he barreled into a mound of boulders and landed on top.  We left Wile E there and rode out with Dee to find Rory (Moab Motorsports).  He and Joe went back to tow Wile E back to the shop.  Rory is awesome and Joe was most impressed with the way he orchestrated a temporary fix to the wheel and towed Joe out...in the dark and back up all the obstacles we had driven down.  They got back to Moab Motorsports about 11:30 pm.   

A few days ago,  Moab Friends For Wheelin' had a highway clean up work day.  

Joe, Dee and Rick 

Our 2 mile section is just north of the Arches NP entrance on Hwy 191.  We had lots of people to show up to help.  





With work done,  we all set out to run Metal Masher.  I didn't count the vehicles, but I heard someone say we had 14.

To get to Metal Masher you take the shelf road that goes to Gemini Bridges. 


  

There are a lot of tall ledges to climb which have bypasses.  Below, Melissa easily drives her buggy up one of them.  


We were fifth in line behind Glen, Rick, Dee and David.

I only got a couple of scenery photos...

 The first named obstacle, Rock Chucker, is about 4.5 miles into the 11.7 mile trail.  Glen (who spotted Jamie up this obstacle last June) waits at the top just in case.  Getting lined up at the bottom is key to a successful climb.  

Wile E waits as David crawls right up.

 Mirror Gulch about .2 of a mile further is the next named obstacle.  Rick was second in line and broke a hub and decided to turn around and head back out.  He was sandwiched between Dee and us while everyone else continued on.  Next time, we look forward to tackling Widow Maker !

Well, I think we have seen the last of the cold days.  Of course, the last time I said that, I was wrong.  Fingers crossed.  I know this week has been very nice.  

Until next time, take care and...

HAPPY TRAILS !  

Up next...cool rocks, sweeping views, wildflowers and best of all, solitude !   

James Drives Wile E

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
July 5&6, 2017

Wednesday morning we were up and out the door early to meet Dee and Adrienne to run Hell's Revenge.  Hell's is a wild rollercoaster ride over slickrock domes or fins.  It's 6.5 miles of scary fun offers steep climbs and descents with some areas very narrow and close to the edge of high cliffs, several named difficult optional obstacles, and spectacular panoramic views.  Today, James was driving !

Dee led driving Blanche , followed by Adrienne driving Pibble, and James bringing up the rear in WileE.  

Dee gets a mirror shot of our small group.

A sweet picture at the dinosaur tracks. 


















I'm not sure who had the most fun...James or Joe and I.

Dee and James at the river overlook...

James rides along with Dee on Hells' Gate...

Another mirror shot...thanks Dee !

When we reached the top of the Dragon Tail, a very steep descent, I snapped the following picture.  The driver of the vehicle on its top misjudged the line in the dark.  Both driver and passenger spent the night and hiked out at daybreak. 

Thursdays trail of choice was Metal Masher.  Red Rock 4-Wheelers rates this trail a 7 out of 10.  This 11.7 mile loop follows around Arth's Rim and offers up some difficult named obstacles, and lots of fun.  Dee (with passenger Rob) led our trusty band of wheelers followed by James, Scott (with passenger Adrienne) from Texas,  Jim from Texas, and Glen bringing up the back.  
The first couple of obstacles are unnamed tall ledges.
Joe and James discuss options for tire placement...

James gets lined up...

and crawls right up !   

Dee's photo captures how tall Rock Chucker is.

   
A great warm up for what is coming next...Rock Chucker...a tall, gnarly, ledgy climb.








Glen spots...

Dee's photo as James gets lined up.

and James climbs.

A happy mom !

Thanks Dee !

Once Rock Chucker has been conquered, there is a loop that connects back to the main trail.  It's pretty hairy too.
Glen stands by to make sure all four wheels stay on the ground.  It's tippy...I like tippy !

A great photo Dee !

I just realized I failed to get pictures at Arth's Rim...a spectacular overlook about 5700 feet above Hwy 191.  MM is a favorite so I'm sure there will be a next time !

It was so much fun having James here.  Five days...five trails full of scary fun filled with lots of laughs, WOWS, spectacular views and wonderful memories !  

I want to send a huge thank you to Dee who organized trails and led us on Hell's Revenge and Metal Masher.

Another huge thank you to Glen who led Kane Creek Canyon and joined us on Cliffhanger and Metal Masher.  He always manages to be in the right place at the right time just in case.

 And lastly, a huge thank you to Jeff who works hard all week in his buggy fabrication business, Dirt Squirrel Motors, LLC and still came out to play on Sunday...and led us on Cliffhanger.

  

He also got up early on Monday to weld breaks in Wile E's front coil over mount enabling us to enjoy the rest of the week wheeling !    





Ahhh...the memories !

Until next time,

 Happy Trails !