A Ravine, A Rim, and Revenge!

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 31, June 1, June 5, 2014

Spanish Valley Drive towards Strike Ravine

It has been  busy in Moab...just the way we like it with good friends and good trails.





A ravine...a small narrow steep-sided valley that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon that is usually worn by running water.

Strike Ravine ranks 7th out of 20 on the difficult trails list in the Moab Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails guide.





Sites along the way...

Then the fun really began...

There were 7 vehicles in our group...the leader for the day was Dee in her buggy, followed by Larry in a Toyota Tacoma, Dale and Rolande in their buggy and Scott and Chris in their modified Rubicon and Pearl behind them. Following us were Ron and Sharry in a beefed up 2 door similar to Pearl and the tail-gunner was David and Lois driving their totally modified jeep (it has a hemi) with passengers Martin and Jan.

The trail is described as "Difficult. Steep, rocky climbs and descents sandwiched between easy and moderate stretches." 

OOPS!

I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw this picture...is this male posturing?

Scott maneuvering one of the many obstacles...

Dale made the tight squeeze look easy...

Dee...a great spotter. It amazes me how she knows these trails like the back of her hand.

There is a lot of work maintaining these trails. Its not all play. Volunteers are always needed. We have our name on the list and hope to be called.

Isn't he beautiful? Dee spotted 5 of these gold collared lizards on the trail and using the CB pointed them out to the team. They were all definitely in posing mode.

Dale's buggy performed flawlessly...

Aside from the challenge and the up close and personal experience with nature, the camaraderie between fellow jeepers is special.

A rim...the upper or outer edge, border, margin, or brink of an object. Moab Rim is not for Pearl. This challenging trail ranks 17th out of 20 on the difficult list. We were quite happy when Dee invited us to join her for the day as we had never had a buggy adventure.

Moab Rim is located on the left off Kane Creek Road. Right from the get-go there were beautiful views of the Colorado River...which has overflowed its banks a little.



 The guide describes this trail as...Difficult. Trail wastes no time getting started. The first mile scares the wits out of most people. A long climb of tight, tippy and extremely difficult ledges.

Once on the rim, we were treated to miles and miles of scenic views...

Our lunch stop...

Meet Zuni...his people parents are Scott and Chris.

 On the return trip, there is a descent on a very narrow section of trail into a sandy valley. Sand Hill is an optional obstacle...only Dave tried it with his hemi as tremendous horsepower is required... he made the short hill look easy, but the bigger one can't be checked off his list yet.

Z-Turn is the first and last big obstacle on this trail...

Dave entering the Z-Turn...



A few hours later...Dave exiting the Z-Turn. His excellent driving skills and capable 4-wheel machine saved the day!

Revenge...payback, retribution, retaliation, or vengeance...

Hell's Revenge ranks 10th out of 20 on the difficult list and is described as...Difficult. Dangerously steep climbs and descents over sandstone domes and ledges.

 

Pearl did this trail last year with stock gears and no lockers...quite a memory! This year's revenge, however, was made easier as we now have lower gears and front and back lockers.






The trail is well marked with black tire marks, yellow flame symbols and brown signs.

Looking up...

Looking down...

There are several intimidating obstacles on this trail...Hell's Gate being one of them. I got to ride up it with Dee in her buggy. Totally awesome...nobody did Escalator...and Pearl was the only taker in Wash Tub.

Unlike last year, Pearl crawled right over Tip-Over Challenge and no one got stuck on the boulders as we exited back to Sand Flats Road.

Today is a much needed rest day. Well, after the laundry is done and Joe installs a new spare tire carrier for Pearl. The puppies are happy to have us here and I am sure extra play time at the park is on their agenda after it cools off this afternoon. I took this picture thru the screen door the other day...its supper time for the Tan Clan. Aren't they waiting patiently?

 

Until next time, take care and

 

 

happy trails!

Always a WOW!

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 27, 2014

 Joe and I have made the hike to Delicate Arch 4 times and each time we have the same reaction..."WOW!". It is breath taking to turn the final corner on the last leg of the hike and see this natural wonder. Delicate Arch, towering 80 feet over hikers, is the most widely recognized landmark in Arches NP.

Delicate Arch was not always Delicate Arch. Because of its distinctive shape it was known as "The Chaps" by local cowboys back in the day. Also, this arch was not  even part of the original designated area known as a National Monument established in 1929. It was not added until 1938 when the boundaries were enlarged. Pictures don't capture the "WOW!". It needs to be experienced in person to be really appreciated. 


Our recent hike to Delicate Arch was even more special because Pam and Vic ( Travelin' in the Big EZ) and Catherine and Guy (friends from Belgium) were experiencing this awesome wonder for the first time.

Near the trailhead is the historic Wolfe Ranch. The original cabin was destroyed in a flood; the current one was built in 1906.

When you pass the Homestead, a footbridge crosses over the Salt Wash.

Guy, Catherine and Joe

From there the trail climbs a small ridge that contains colorful boulders.

Pam leads the way!

Then its a steep climb up a mountain of slickrock...the most difficult section of the trail for me. Lots of stops for pictures ( ummm to catch my breath!). The views from here are stunning!

From the slickrock, you can see the parking lot down below...

and a stop was necessary to photograph the Windows Section on the distant skyline. Do you see the arch?

Vic is pausing to take it all in!

It is like being on the moon or another planet when you reach the top...







 The last section of trail is a 200 yard somewhat narrow ledge which was blasted from the sandstone.

And then there is the "WOW!"...


Pam...

Yep, we are patiently waiting our turn...

Its a lot to take in...the arch and miles and miles of beautiful scenery. 

Pam and Vic

Pam and Vic were the first to venture out to the arch...these pictures show how huge this arch is.

Joe stayed behind to take pictures so I ventured out with Guy and Catherine.

 

It was an absolutely beautiful day...well, maybe alittle warm.   We were all smiles though as we drove home. Sure makes one feel fully alive to spend days like this with friends and nature!

 

Our week ended much too soon.

 

Wednesday, Guy and Catherine headed south to Flagstaff. No "goodbyes" said, but rather "until next time". The rest of our morning was full of conversation and laughter with Pam and Vic...

 

Once again...there were no "goodbyes" on Thursday morning as Pam and Vic had to leave early for a long travel day to Vegas. Hugs, smiles...

 

until next time, take care and

 

 enjoy the journey!

 

P.S. Pam left a jar of almond butter with us. We had ourselves a    "day-aaang" good AB&J sandwich for lunch!