good-times-rollin

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Wile E

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT

Pearl, our 2013 JK, has been an awesome jeep.

Moab Rim...October 2016

All the modifications we have made to her have allowed us to successfully do some really hard obstacles on some difficult trails. Not one time (knock on wood) has she faltered or spent time in the shop for repairs.

Last October, we decided it was time to give Pearl a rest and invest in a jeep we could take out and enjoy without having to worry about breaking our only means of transportation.

We found a 1988 YJ a friend had for sale and so the adventure began.

Work began at M4O (Moab 4X4 Outpost) before we left for the winter. Below is our Dana 60 front axle being fitted with a M4O truss.

New King coilover shocks being installed.

And then, new Nitto 40" trail grappler tires were installed.

M4O installed PSC hydraulic steering...

and checked out all the running lights.

We headed out to run Hell's Revenge but discovered significant oil leaks at the trail head. It took major will power to use good judgement and return Wile E back to M4O where we left it with Steve Nance and his crew to give the YJ a good going over during the winter. Note the tire stickers didn't even get worn off.

So when we returned to Moab in mid March, we found Wile E ready to hit the trail with a re-built head & valve train assembly, M4O doors and a brand new freshly painted hood.

Here we are bringing Wile E. through the gate at Gopher Flats for the first time !

We've run the north side of Fins n' Things once, backward (south to north) Steelbender twice, and the Steelbender Loop once. All those trails are close to home...just in case. We've made several trips to town (at my request 'cause I'm loving it) and and in-between had Wile E back to M4O to change out rear coilerover springs and add bump stops, extend the exhaust pipe, and tweak the Teraflex transfer case linkage.

Our first pictures of Wile E on trail...thanks Dee !

So the fun begins...until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS ! WOOHOO !

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Corona Arch

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
April 11, 2017

Hiking to Corona Arch is one of my favorite things to do in Moab. We haven't done this trail since our son Joe and DIL Jena were here in June, 2015. It was time, and yesterday was the day !

With highs expected in the mid seventies, we were up and at the trailhead a little before 10:00 am. The parking lot only had two other vehicles...perfect !

Corona Arch Trail is rated moderate. It's an in and out 3 mile roundtrip trail that follows Bootlegger Canyon. The trail begins with a climb up a rocky talus slope, that changes to sand and then climbs a shallow rocky canyon. From there its a trek across sloping slickrock with cairns showing the way. There is very little shade on this trail...spring and fall are perfect months to explore here.

In one spot, Moki steps and a cable make climbing a steep slickrock ledge a lot easier.

A ladder is used to climb up another steep slickrock bench. I love the gnarly cedar tree that stands all alone at the top. A cable for the ladder wraps around the base of the tree.

Corona Arch is magnificent with an opening that measures 140' X 105'. I was glad to see signs restricting rope usage on the arch. It has been a popular spot for rappelling. An added bonus on the hike is Bowtie Arch. It's a pothole arch formed when a pothole above filled with water and eroded down into a cave below.

Bowtie Arch...

I climbed up to the base of Bowtie Arch and found Moon Flowers growing in the moist soil.

Corona Arch...

A zoomed in photo of Joe looking up at Corona Arch.

Same photo not zoomed in.

If you look closely, you can see me walking under the arch.

And an up shot...

All along the way to and from the arches, we enjoyed the warm sunshine and signs of spring along the way. Reds and oranges were the colors of the day. The Hedgehog cacti were quite stunning...