Cliffhanger and Metal Masher

Gopher Flats
April 25, 2018
Moab, UT

Things are rolling along here in Moab.  We are moving at a slow steady pace to get get things done and have some fun.  

Dave led, followed by Dee, us and Scott

After all the work was completed on Wile E, we headed out to do my favorite trail...Cliffhanger.  Just mentioning scary fun and beautiful scenery always puts Cliffhanger at the top of the list for me.


Huge boulders and ledges grab your attention from the get-go. 

Any day on trail is a good day.  When I'm not paying attention to the trail and tire placement, I enjoy all the big things and all the little things.








 The cliff side of the trail gives the trail it's name...a story or event with a strong element of suspense.  Yep, it's pretty close to the edge...

 ...and if that's not enough, there is a good size obstacle of large (ummm huge!) boulders to descend.  Keep in mind that this is an in and out trail so what goes down has to go up.  But just like hiking, I think it's easier to go up when wheeling too. 

From here it's not that far to the overlook.  A nice lunch with friends and a view !  

 From there it was all downhill...literally at 15 to 20 mph and no brakes.  As we were heading out after lunch,  the pins holding the passenger front brake calipers on came out.  Dave helped out and we thought it was fixed,  but as Joe was heading downhill to get off a ledge, he had NO brakes.  Quick thinker he is,  he barreled into a mound of boulders and landed on top.  We left Wile E there and rode out with Dee to find Rory (Moab Motorsports).  He and Joe went back to tow Wile E back to the shop.  Rory is awesome and Joe was most impressed with the way he orchestrated a temporary fix to the wheel and towed Joe out...in the dark and back up all the obstacles we had driven down.  They got back to Moab Motorsports about 11:30 pm.   

A few days ago,  Moab Friends For Wheelin' had a highway clean up work day.  

Joe, Dee and Rick 

Our 2 mile section is just north of the Arches NP entrance on Hwy 191.  We had lots of people to show up to help.  





With work done,  we all set out to run Metal Masher.  I didn't count the vehicles, but I heard someone say we had 14.

To get to Metal Masher you take the shelf road that goes to Gemini Bridges. 


  

There are a lot of tall ledges to climb which have bypasses.  Below, Melissa easily drives her buggy up one of them.  


We were fifth in line behind Glen, Rick, Dee and David.

I only got a couple of scenery photos...

 The first named obstacle, Rock Chucker, is about 4.5 miles into the 11.7 mile trail.  Glen (who spotted Jamie up this obstacle last June) waits at the top just in case.  Getting lined up at the bottom is key to a successful climb.  

Wile E waits as David crawls right up.

 Mirror Gulch about .2 of a mile further is the next named obstacle.  Rick was second in line and broke a hub and decided to turn around and head back out.  He was sandwiched between Dee and us while everyone else continued on.  Next time, we look forward to tackling Widow Maker !

Well, I think we have seen the last of the cold days.  Of course, the last time I said that, I was wrong.  Fingers crossed.  I know this week has been very nice.  

Until next time, take care and...

HAPPY TRAILS !  

Up next...cool rocks, sweeping views, wildflowers and best of all, solitude !   

Tukuhnikivatz Arch

Gopher Flats
Moab. UT
April 7, 2018

This past Saturday was our first club (Moab Friends For Wheelin') trail ride for the year.  The trail scheduled was Tip Toe Behind the Rocks.  Behind the Rocks is a great place to explore...it's a region of fins, arches, spires, canyons and amazing views.  Todays trip was made even more exciting because it included a side spur and hike to Tukuhnikivatz Arch... pronounced tuk-oon-ik-ah-vatz... otherwise known as Tuk Arch and a new arch for us !  

Visiting at the trailhead before we started.  

In total, we had 12 vehicles...a nice variety of jeeps, buggies, and truck buggies. 






Heading towards Tuk Arch on the spur was new for us.  It is an in and out trail as it dead ends at the trailhead for the arch.
















Looking south away from Moab...

...and north towards Moab.

One the way, we passed another new to us arch.  This is Moab Arch. 

 I wish the light had been better.  Glen told us that when the sun is directly over the arch you can see the light coming through and get a much better photo.

This is Tukuhnikivatz Arch in the center of the picture below. This arch got its name because on a clear day, the peak of Tukuhnikivatz Mountain can be seen through the arch.  Tuk Mountain is the third largest mountain in the LaSals, but the most prominent mountain viewed from Moab.  Translated from the Ute language, the name means "place where the sun sets last". 

It was a steep climb to the arch with many boulders waist high for me.  Not to worry,  I had lots of help!  Unfortunately, the peak was covered in clouds.  

This is a little arch compared to so many others in Moab.  It was just tall enough for me to stand under and I am right at 5 feet tall.  Franklin and Theo pose under the arch while Mack explores.  

We could see the jeeps and folks who didn't make the climb down below.  They don't really show up well in the photo.  But for a reference, the tiny white line running through the center of the picture is Hwy 191.

The view from the arch is amazing even on a mostly overcast day !

From there it was back on the main trail for some fun on the rocks.  

It was a great day with old friends and new friends.  So until next time, take care and...

Pearl does her thing!

HAPPY TRAILS!  

P. S. If you look real hard you can see both arches from Hwy 191 north heading into Moab.  We have traveled Hwy 191 so many times and never noticed either one.