I'm working on planning a trip to Moab in my JKUR...and I want some challenge, but need to keep some sanity too. My signature shows my mods, but to summarize, Evo Enforcer on 37's, gussets, full Currie front end, and PS bumpers.

I have my wife and three kids along, but for the hard trails I'll probably just bring my son (14) and leave the others behind.

I am trailering my jeep out, so I'm not too concerned with mechanical issues, but I'd prefer to avoid body damage. My second trip to Moab in this Jeep, the first time it was stock and I was only there for two days. I did hells revenge, and fins and things...both were fun. Now that I have more clearance and some more miles, I'd like to see what it can do!

Here they are, in my preferred order:

Kane Creek - 6
Hells Revenge - 6
Top of the World - 5
Poison Spyder where eagles dare - 7
Strike Ravine - 6
Porcupine Rim - 5 (not sure about this one...)

What do you guys think? Note that I don't have a winch...

Thanks in advance!!

 

you shouldn't have problems with any on you list.

Hell's Revenge if the first time you didn't do Hell's Gate and Escalator, with the right spotter no problem, other then that skip it and do others.
Kane Creek - is fun crosses the creek a lot and really only has the one obstacle along the cliff. you shouldn't have any problems with it.
Top of the World - some smaller ledges and of course the awesome view and photo op.
Poison Spyder where eagles dare - 7 - (eagles dare haven't done that section) but poison spyder has some fun areas. also part of the trifecta which is a good all day trip and is a must do if you can. poison spyder, Golden spike, Gold Bar Rim.
Strike Ravine - 6 (? never done it.)
Porcupine Rim - 5 (not sure about this one...) have done the lower part from fins n things... it's ok..

a few of my favorites I would recommend for your Jeep..
Cliff Hanger, awesome trail and great views, probably my favorite.
Metal Masher also is another one of my favorites. a few of the harder obstacle's are optional.. another one for some great views.

 

Thanks!! Great feedback.

I was afraid of cliff hanger, but maybe I should do it. I've ridden MTB on it (20 years ago!), and it was awesome. I love the descent and the creek crossing.

Golden spike calls for a winch... But with 37's and beadlocks, etc...it seems doable. I'll have to ask RR4W.

Thanks again!

 

I wouldn't say golden spike calls for a wench more then any others. Those trails, cliff hanger, metal masher, trifecta wouldn't be ones you'd do alone. With 37" and the correct approach you will or should have no problems.
Top of the world me and the wife did alone.

I've done moab with 2 different jeeps. JK 2" lift on 34's. Then my current one JKU 3" lift also on 34's. So you should be good.
Have a few tow straps and maybe another Jeep with a wench, in case something does jump out. 3 Jeeps would be a good number to have as a minimum. Just my 2 cents worth.
Of Course EJS will have a lot more then 3 jeeps per run.
Sounds fun. I need another trip to Moab.

 

Great! Thanks for there'd back. I'll have two straps and a hi-lift with me, plus two attachment points front and rear. I can't wait!

 

I don't know why Strike Ravine is rated 6... it's fairly easy, I'd say closer to a 3-4. There's like 2 challenging spots, that's it. The majority was like a fire road.

If you're going to Area BFE, run Green Day. That looks like loads of fun.

Maybe also consider Pritchett Canyon? It's tough, but your rig seems capable. Why can't you get a winch before EJS? You don't need to spend $1000 for a capable one.

 

Thanks for the tip JK freak, I'll "strike" strike ravine. As far as the winch, I have over-spent my jeep allotment with the new car hauler, misc parts, powertank, spares, etc... And Im only home two weekends before I leave for Moab... But I like your attitude!

I'll find another trail, or I'll see if they'll let me in anyhow... I'd think straps are all I'd need with this group...

 

If you are going during EJS I wouldn't worry too much about signing up with RR4W. Do a couple to support the club, but they take all day as they have 30 rigs in a convoy and most people are novices. There are plenty of trails to do on off days (not reserved by RR4W) and plenty of people on the trail in case you have problems. Someone is always willing to lend a hand. Last year I hit the trail alone and found another single on the trail. We looked out for each other and had a great time.

 

The only one on your list that I've run. Did so at EJS a few years back. 33 inch tires and 2.5" spacer lift with rock rails. Lot of fun, and the Jeep did amazingly well. Did not hit Where Eagles Dare, however.

Also, as alluded, avoid the official EJS runs. Get their schedule and stay away from those trails whey they are on them (they'll be closed anyway).



That last pic is my Jeep, BTW.

 

I just got back from Moab and no winch was needed on Golden Spike altho it has some challenging sections but nothing I had troubles with 35's. We ended up with one of the tj's in our group breaking down and from the crack on did in the dark never got out til almost midnight. Porcupine was nice but not difficult. We did Poison spider 2x, top of the world and it was muddy so pretty challenging getting up taking the left side. It was tougher than the last couple of times I did it. We wanted to do where eagles dare but we decided not to at the last minute after looking at the entrance did not look like a fat 4 door was going to have good luck getting in with out creasing the body . (that was from the cave side off poison spider) might have been a better entrance somewhere else.
I wanted to do devil's staircase on hells revenge but none of us had ever seen anyone go up it so after walking it I was not confident in the correct line so decided to wait until another time. I will at least watch some videos before trying it if I cant see someone go up it. heck we saw a full size dodge ram 3/4 on both hells revenge and poison spider both of them were new and the one poison spider was pretty banged up LOL. had texas plates. the one on hells revenge looked ok but looked like he was worried about the exit.