Jackson Hole

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
April 10, 2016

Sunday dawned with excitement as Joe and I got ready for our first 4X4 trail of the year.  Moab Friends For Wheelin' had Jackson Hole (a new to us trail) on the calendar.  MFFW is an awesome group of people and we are so fortunate to be apart of this club.  

There were 12 rigs total...a nice group of Samurais, jeeps and a Toyota Buggy. 

 It was so much fun seeing everyone and when we stopped we all jumped out of our rig and picked up the conversation right where it left off from the stop before.

Jackson Hole has a moderate trail rating due to some small ledges and rough spots.  It heads north and west of Hurrah Pass and loops around Jackson Butte.

It's always a beautiful sight to stop and take in the view at Hurrah pass.  

We could barely see Jackson Hole trail from Hurrah Pass...it is in the lower right side quadrant of the photo.  

  It was a gorgeous day with warm sunshine, blue skies and white fluffy clouds. Round trip was about 50 miles which includes the 12 miles for the Jackson Hole loop. 

The picture below shows Jackson Butte in the center.  Jackson Butte stands in the middle of Jackson Hole...an abandoned meander of the Colorado river.  The trail loops around the butte.  The high rocky cliff that curves around behind Jackson Butte is the Cliffhanger 4X4 trail and biking/hiking trails. 

  

Our lunch stop was a great area to explore.  There are a lot of river rocks and petrified wood covered in manganese... so shiny and black.    
 The hill behind the rigs was covered in these beautiful tiny pale lavender flowers and. 

This is the fourth year Joe and I have spent several months in Moab.  There is a definite draw for us to visit this scenic paradise.  Whether it's hiking or wheeling,  there is a wow around every turn. 





 Until next time, happy days and...

    happy trails!

Steel Bender

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
August 15, 16, 2015

Wrecks was a little under the weather last week. It is always a difficult decision as to whether or not to make a visit to the vet. He was seen on Wed. at Moab Vet Clinic and its a good thing we went. As it turned out he had a bladder infection. He is much better now!

Mill Creek

Last Friday morning we ventured out with Dee to do a "new to us" trail...Steel Bender. What a nice surprise to encounter washed rocks in creek crossings, sandy washes, slickrock, and lots of rock ledges. Mill Creek is a major drainage from the La Sal Mountains so this trail is constantly changing.  We traversed through the canyon and rode narrow ledges that climbed to overlooks of Moab Rim, Mill Creek Canyon, and the La Sals. 

 Moab Friends For Wheelin along with the BLM and representatives from the mountain biking community added fencing for a safer trail and to protect trees and vegetation. 

The fence has since been cut and bent over. What a shame. Even with the fence, the trail is plenty wide offering a variety of choices to climb/descend rock ledges ranging from moderate to difficult.

Beautiful views of Moab Rim...

Moab...

The Whale's Tail...my favorite!

 Late Saturday afternoon, we joined in on a Hell's Revenge run to put up "No Vehicle" signs in a couple of areas where vehicles have driven off trail...this wash tub is not a legal BLM approved obstacle.

Jeff and Glen installing one of the signs.

The late afternoon sunlight was very nice...

Looking back at Pearl...

Johnny picking up trash...we always carry trash bags.

It wasn't all work. Dave and Dee flawlessly crawl up a major obstacle on Hell's Revenge called The Escalator. 




Have a great week...