Showing posts with label Moab Jeep trails. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moab Jeep trails. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

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...

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Some Revenge and a Britney Spears Flop

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
June 19 and 20, 2015

The next morning, after Joe III's very brief introduction to jeeps the night before, he was in for a challenge and some revenge...Hell's Revenge that is. It's my all-time favorite 4X4 trail ranked mid-way on the difficult list in Charles Wells' Guide because of "steep climbs and descents over sandstone domes and ledges. Not for stock vehicles or novice drivers." We would never have ventured out on such a daring trail if it had not been for Dee's encouragement and having her at the helm. Thank you Dee for a great day and experience...one I am sure Joe III and Jena will keep forever in the memory bank.

Just follow the black tire marks...





I rode with Dee in her buggy Wild Thing, Joe III and Jena rode saddle and Joe and Ronnie were tail-gunner in Pearl.








Descending into the entrance of Hell's Gate...Dee took Joe III and Jena for an exciting ride on one of the obstacles. 

Check out the video that shows their ride...

Photo by Dee

Photo by Dee...Joe III climbing out of Mickey's Hot Tub 

Early the next morning, we off to AreaBFE on the south side of town. BFE is a 320 recreational park for many different outdoor activities such as trail runs and camping as well as hosting special events like competitions, club gatherings, and music festivals. It is privately owned, but open to the public. It is free to use, but donations are accepted to help with upkeep. 


Meeting/staging area

Pearl and Rubi followed these buggies to the playground known as Britney Spears.






Britney Spears as described on the BFE webpage...
Trail Rating : Expert
Description : Horseshoe loop up the side of a hill. Major boulders! Counter clockwise is harder!
Requirements : Min. 37" tires, Lockers, Winch, and a great spotter - Do not attempt alone!




Yikes! The first buggy up made a great effort...a lot of backing up and repositioning  for different lines, but in the end it was a flop. It's quite impressive watching these folks in a crisis...Glen unstrapped the driver in the picture above, then Jeff scrambles to turn the engine off. Driver was OK and the buggy lost it's brakes. 







The second buggy up had a successful run, but not without a little help.







It did not flop, but it was stuck...

L to R...Dee, Joe III and Glen strap and pull so it could move forward.

Woo-hoo!
One other buggy tried, but after a few attempts, was advised to turn around. 


Joe and Jena at the top of Britney Spears Trail
 Tired, hot, thristy and hungry we followed Dee to Zax...yep, the AC and a pitcher of Blue Moon "fit the bill"! 

Let the good times roll...


HAPPY TRAILS!

Up next...the little camper that could!