For Day 3, it was time to kick things up a notch and challenge both Jeep and Driver alike on the Cliffhanger Trail. Right from the get go, this trail has big ledges you have to decend, tough rock gardens you have to climb and never racking narrow shelf roads that hug the side of towering cliff faces. The best part is, Cliffhanger is a one way in and one way out trail and so every obstacle you have to take on, you have to take on again but in reverse. But, as fun as this trail is, I'd have to say that it's one of my favorites because of its unsurpassed beauty. Here are some pics from our day out:

Condo #2 cooking up some awesome breakfast for us...


TikiJK asking JeepCacher about the "Dangerous Tippy Spot" on the trail map...


With the storm behind us and a beautiful day ahead, it was time to strip back down!!


Driving along the Colorado River and heading out to the trailhead...


Airing down and disconnecting at the staging area...


The Cliffhanger Trail - Here we go!!


Immediately, past the trailhead sign, you have to drop down some big steps...


Getting ready to drop of the first ledge and, it's a really big one...


Trail Bud making his drop...


JeepCacher getting some air time with his rear tires...


Inyo JK making her drop...


toad looking serious as she gets ready to make her drop in her 2-door...


Even with a set of 40" tires, brainchild was able to get his driver side rear tire to get a little air coming down the tallest side...


Being a bit more conservative, Mituk makes his drop off toward the right were the ledge wasn't as high...


Making our way down to the creek and to the next obstacle...


Let me tell you, it was a massacre - literally thousands of these buggers were raining down on us at the hill climb immediately across Kane Creek and it was all that we could do to not squish them. Because of this, we now call this obstacle "Catapillar Hill"...


Catapillar Hill has to lines up - to the right, there is a near vertical climb with a tough breakover at the top. To the left, there is a challenging rock garden you have to negotiate with plenty of spots to get high centered. wayoflifette decided to take on the climb...


McPuck86 thought about taking on the climb as well but, I encouraged him to take on the tough rock garden...


ramin powering through the rocks...


After an unsuccessful attempt that the steep climb and multiple valient attempts at the rock garden, we decided to strap toad up to help move things along...


sm_rubi taking on the climb...


brainchild working it as well...


By taking him far over to the right and close to hitting the wall, I was able to get gonegoannas with his 35's up the climb as well...


Without any lockers, this slipperly and tough rock garden proved to be too much for Taco and so, after multiple attempts, we decided to strap him up as well...


With his virtually all new 2-door, KenB1010 made several conservative attempts to get up but, in the interest of safety and time, decided to get strapped up as well....


Picking up the rear, Mooching making it up the climb with ease...


Working our way through the canyon....


Tippy section of trail...






Stopping for some lunch and to let some of the traffic up on top come by...




wayoflifette setting up to take on a wicked inverted double ledge climb...


JeepCacher leading the rest of the group up the main trail...




Trail Bud throttling his way up the ledges...


brainchild taking a stab at the ledges and killing it...


Heading up to the next obstacle...


wayoflifette taking on a harder line up...


ramin going up the main route and showing that it's still work to get up...


toad negotiating her way up...


Mituk taking on the harder line...


More pics below...

 

View from the top of the cliff face...


View looking at the trail ahead...


Starting to work our way across the narrow shelf road...




Checking out the big ledge before taking the BIG step down...


Here goes nothing...


McPuck86 cautiously making his way down...


View from behind ramin to show you there's a safe 2 feet of ledge before it starts to roll down the 1000 ft drop....


sm_rubi tip toeing his way down...


Mituk making the mistake of looking out...


KenB1010 getting ready to make his drop...


Moochie pulling up the rear...


Line up shot along the rim...


Toward the end of the trail, there's a section of trail that isn't life threateningly dangerous but, tippy enough to make crossing it a challenge...






Beautiful scenery every which way you look...








At the end of the line and what a view it was from up there....




Working our way back out...














Working the last big ledge up...






Climbing up the last set of steps to the top of the road...






And, what would the end of yet another perfect day be without HONEY!!


There are literally over 700 more pics that were taken of everyone and, if you would like to see them now, simply click on the link below:

Project-JK Moab EJS 2011 : Day 3 - Cliffhanger Photo Gallery

Be sure to check back soon as more pics from MOAB Easter Jeep Safari 2011 will be coming your way!!

 

Awesome, Bloody Awesome. Great photos, beaut scenery. Thanks

 

Thanks for sharing. Looks like you guys were having a great time. What amazing scenery too. Great pictures.

 

It would be in the near future but some day I would love to go out there.
It looks like all of you have a blast.

 

Wow!!! Great shots!! Looks like such a good time!

 

Great job on the pictures Andrew

 

thank you and yes, the scenery is amazing on this trail

definitely had a great time and, as i had mentioned, this is one of my favorite trails due to the amazing scenery

definitely need to make this happen

 

What a great trip!! Thanks for sharing.

 

thanks and it really was a great time. i know you're far from moab but, if you can ever make it out, i think you'd love it.

plan it now