so a few of us are making the 3 day trek from bc to moab in early september and i ahave a few questions,there will be a bone stock 2 door rubicon,a 2003 dodge hemi pickup 35 's and hopefully one locker if we can get it in time,and myself in the jeep listed below,what trails are doable with these vehicles.we have never been anywhere with this type of wheeling so i am not sure what to expect,any advice comments or whatever would be appreciated , also we will be staying at the portal rv park in moab any thoughts on that

 

With those rigs you should be able to tackle most of the trails depending on the drivers skills and good judgement...and a bunch of us will be down there on Memorial Day weekend if that's the same time you will be down there, join up with us!

 

Even a stock JK is capable of some very tough trails. However, if you're not very experienced, I'd strongly suggest you start with some easy stuff.

Gemini Trail

Gemini Trails is a nice, mostly dirt road with a few simple shelfs you must cross.









Shafer Trail/White Rim Trail

Shafer Trail, then White Rim Trail (go out and turn around unless you have a permit to camp overnight on this 100-mile trail) is an awesome drive down into the Canyonlands.







Tower Arch Trail

Tower Arch Trail in Arches National Park will take you to a remote part of the park that few people visit. There are a couple small challenges on the north end of the run, and that should be where you start. Other than that, it's mostly just washboard and sandy road.




Check with the rangers before driving Tower Arch Trail and heed their instructions ...


Fins and Things

Fins and Things is rated difficult, but I've seen a stocker with a new four-wheeler run it. There are a few places that are high PF (Pucker Factor), so go with someone experienced to help you pick a line and to give you confidence you can go. If you complete the first half (south side of the road) and feel you can take on more, take the tougher north side. If you feel you've reached your limit, bail-out is easy before getting into the somewhat tougher, but even more fun, north side.





A couple other things: Everyone take a CB radio (U.S. legal, of course). Get a copy of Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells before you go.

 

we are going to be there on the 5th or 6th of september i'm not sure what day memorial day is?when i said i havent done this kind of wheeling before i didn;t mean i never go wheeling just not on this scale this far away,this is my 6th jeep and we have beat them all

 

In that case, I'd suggest Fins and Things, and Poison Spider Mesa. Both great trails with lots of fun obstacles. I'd also suggest Shafer Trail/White Rim Trail, not for the wheeling challenge, but because it's like having an E-ticket* to the floor of the Grand Canyon. Take-your-breath-away beautiful. You can go out 10 or 15 miles and turn around and return easily in a half day, leaving plenty of time for stops to enjoy the magnificent scenery.

*For those of you not old enough to remember, the coveted E-ticket got you on the best rides at Disneyland. It has nothing to do with commercial flying.

 

Make sure you get the 2nd edition of this book if you get it, not the first. Several things have changed.

 

Good point. It's now in color, and if you order from the author's website, you can get a spiral bound edition for an extra $5 (my first edition binding is splitting after the abuse it's received on three trips to Moab).

hxxp://www.funtreks.com/index.php

 

For those rig's it shouldn't be to bad. The Dodge may have a tough time on anything with tight turns. As for lockers, not sure really how important those are. We just got back from Moab yesterday and of the trails I hit (Fins & Things, Hells Revenge, Elephant Hill, Top of the World, Tower Arch, Gemini Bridges, Bull Canyon and Imogene Pass in Colorado) I used the lockers only one time in my stock Rubicon Unlimited.
-What I learned, tire pressure is key when playing on the sandstone of Moab. I'm running stock 32" rubber on a Rubicon and was running at 15lbs. If you and the Dodge are running 35's, you may need to find your sweet spot unless someone on here can chime in on what works best.
-Other than that, if you have not already picked it up, get the Charles Wells book for Moab (spiral bound if you can find it). It's pretty much the bible for navigating the trails.
-Though it should be a little cooler in Sept than in Aug be sure to bring plenty of water. (Hint, buy it by the gallon and refill your water bottles.)
-If you don't already have a tire inflator it may be an idea to invest in one. There are a few gas stations on Hwy 191 in Moab that off free Air, but depending on the trail you're running it may be a hike to get to those.
-Common Sense. I did see some people out there running without that. Just use good judgement and you'll be fine.

 

I was there in a TJ with swaybar disco's and BFG AT's and had no problems.

 

Great advice so far. Unlike the stuff in BC, Moab's rock is like sandpaper and very grippy wet or dry. I have been out on many trails with stock Jeeps and they do just fine. As an experienced Jeeper you will really love the terrain and country.

Fins and Things is a great warm up and then you can get right on to Hell's Revenge and take it up a notch for the steep up and down slickrock fun. You have to pay a fee at the Sand Flat's recreation area gate but it's only $5 or so. You can also camp there if you are not staying in town (2 miles away).

Gemini Bridges is scenic and you can go down to Bull Canyon and play on some sand dunes at the bottom. One of the easier trails.

I also love Gold Bar Rim and the view at the top. Take a strap and give a tug if someone struggles. There is just soooo much to do.

Also some great restaurants and local breweries if that's your thing.
Sept. is after the high season and rooms can be found for cheap.


Enjoy!