Backwards Steel Bender

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
November 1, 2016

What a gorgeous November we are having.  Chilly mornings give way to clear blue skies and fluffy white clouds with temperatures in the upper sixties to lower seventies.  Who would have thought it ?  Weather history states highs should be in the low 50s and lows in the high 20s.  Looking at the extended forecast, that might just be the case next week.  But for now, it's weather bliss !

Way back on November 1st...yep, that's how far behind I am as I am still struggling with making time for the computer...we joined Dee, Chris and Scott, and Dale and Ward (Rolande's son) for an awesome day of wheeling on Steel Bender.  There are two described routes for Steel Bended in the Charles Wells Guide.  We did what Dee refers to as the backwards route starting at Ken's Lake.  It is rated difficult because of numerous tall ledges (some with bypasses) so larger tires, high ground clearance and lockers are recommended.  Joe and I had done the Steel Bender Loop Route a couple of times, but this was our first time to do Steel Bender Flat Route trail south to north.  To say it's 8.8 miles of epic scenery and fun ledges would be an under statement.  Here is a small sampling of our fantastic day.

Riding along Spanish Valley Road towards Ken's Lake which is only about 5 minutes from Gopher Flats.

 Ken's Lake is an off-stream agricultural reservoir at the foot of the west slopes of the the LaSal Mountains that is fed by a tunnel which diverts water from Upper Mill Creek.  It's a popular camping and fishing spot managed by the BLM.

Scott and Chris led our group followed by Dale and Ward, Dee, and us bringing up the rear.  

Hi-Ho-Hi-Ho, it's off to play we go !

It's always a treat to follow Dee !

After we all climbed down the loose gravel and boulders know as Witches Step, Scott, Dale and Dee had fun climbing back up and down again.

First Scott in his YJ...

then Dale in his buggy...

...and Dee in Blanche.

There is one more tricky spot.  Its a huge boulder (Charles Wells says extreme ledge), 8 feet high or so on the driver side and less on the passenger side.  It has washed out at the bottom with lots of loose rocks.  The taller driver side is close to a deep drop off.  Dee goes first trying her hand at the tallest section of the boulder which she has done several times in the past.  It wasn't meant to be this day.  After backing off the boulder several times on the loose rocks and sliding closer and closer to the drop off, she needed a strap and a winch to pull Blanche back up onto level ground.

 All turned out good and Dee climbed the middle section...6 feet high or so...along with Dale.  Joe and I took the far passenger side with Dee spotting us.  Scott had climbed earlier to winch Dee.

From there it's an easy drive on slickrock, down through some washes, and across the creek to the exit on the north side.  This is definitely a trail we look forward to doing again...on wheels and on foot.

 Until next time...let the good times roll !

 HAPPY TRAILS !

Moab Rim

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
October 24, 2016

Joe and I have enjoyed several hikes on Moab Rim and Hidden Valley area during the past several years, but for a couple of years now, we have dodged Moab Rim 4X4 trail...every since we witnessed first hand a jeep in a "head stand" almost vertical coming down one of the obstacles known as the Z-turn.  We were passengers with Dee that day and to say it made a great impression on us is an understatement. (To check that post out, click on Featured Post in the right hand column.) Charles Wells describes this trail as "difficult and dangerous" and goes on to say "The first mile scares the wits out of most people."  Well, with Dee's help, we can now say we have done it.  Corky and Libby Yates (visiting from Arkansas) joined us...they were first timers on this trail too.

Moab Rim starts off with a bang.  Right from the get-go, the scary fun begins.  

With jeeps parked below the Z turn...

Corky watches as Dee describes the Z turn.

...we all get out and Dee shows us what we are going to do and why.

Her explanations are concise and thorough.    

  

Dee drives the obstacle first...we watch.

She always comes back to spot us.








Corky drives up the Z turn next as Joe watches his careful tire placement.  His front driver tire gets air as the passenger tire climbs the ledge.  









Notice how close the driver side front tire is to the rock that juts out...the closer the better.  Just a few inches can make a huge difference for a successful climb/descent.





 This nearly 8 mile (roundtrip) trail offers all my favorites !

A narrow shelf road to the top of the rim...

...humongous views...

Libby and Dee taking pictures of Moab below...

The Valley...

 ...and domes and slick rock.  As we crested this dome, we had a great view of Sleeping Buffalo (the rock formation in the center) and the trails that lead to Hidden Valley in the top right quadrant. 

 What goes up, must go down.  The Z turn and Devil's Crack can't be bypassed.  

Dee got great pictures of Joe and Corky as we head out. First the Z turn...

...then Devil's Crack. 
Joe and I watched from behind as Corky drove the crack like a pro while Libby took pictures.  You can't see Dee, but she is standing right in front of Corky if he needs help.

Potash Road and Poison Spider Mesa can be seen on the other side of the Colorado River.  The views coming down were spectacular.

  Dee shared her pictures of Joe lining up at the crack...

...crossing the crack...

...and headed for the exit.  WAHOO!

Yes, the crack is on the cliff edge and that is Kane Creek Road and the Colorado River directly below.

From there it was off to Zax for a brew (well maybe a few brews) and late lunch with lots of laughs and recaps of our adventure.  Thanks Dee...you are awesome ! We hope there is more wheeling with you in the future Corky and Libby...what a great day !

Until next time, let the good times roll...

 HAPPY TRAILS!