Trip Reports
| Moab | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date: | October, 4th-6th 2007 | |||
| Trip Leader: | Mike Borum | |||
| Members Present: | Mike Borum, Paul Beaudean, George Borelli, Matt Dodds, Donavin Durban, Fred Haskell, Jim, Gil | |||
| Guests Present: | Kaley | |||
| Picture Link: | Mike's Pics Jim's Pics Matt's Pics Fred's Pics George's Pics | |||
| Description: |
Every year the Bighorn 4x4s plan a trip to Moab, UT to wheel some of the most fantastic, awe-inspiring scenery in the U.S. And each trip promises something unexpected and exciting. This time, there were 10 people and 7 Jeeps all gussied up and ready to go. My wife Marilyn and I were in our yellow Rubicon; Paul Beaudean brought his black/burgundy flatfender; George Borelli steered his black/burgundy CJ5; Matt Dodds drove his red YJ; Donavin Durban and friend Kaley rode in his white TJ; Fred Haskell had his steel blue Rubicon JK; and Jim and Gil were in Jim's dark blue TJ. Thursday - The first trail was Fins n' Things. This is a moderate trail up and down the slickrock fins that are all over the east side of Moab. For first-timers George and Jim, this trail got them used to the incredible traction of the sandstone, and there are plenty of steep climbs and steeper descents to prove it. Paul hadn't wheeled the area for many years so he was enjoying it as well. Just before lunch, George's CJ-5 started having some electrical problems. But we jumped into the problem, found a workaround (a jumper wire and a screwdriver) and got him running again. We finished the trail and decided to run Hells Revenge, which was just down the road near the Sand Flats Recreation Area entrance. This trail is similar to Fins n' Things, but with longer climbs, steeper descents, an outstanding overlook, and a few very challenging obstacles. We pondered the best line into and out of the Hot Tub, but then nobody attempted it Later, Matt decided to attempt Escalator and promptly got some serious air. Fred drove to the top via the bypass and we winched Matt up before he could roll his rig down that obstacle. Tip Over Challenge was the last obstacle, and everyone who tried it negotiated it without a problem. Friday – The morning was calm and warm. The trail we decided to run was called Metal Masher and the obstacles are all ominous-sounding: Rock Chucker, Mirror Gulch, and Widowmaker. Of course I quickly got us going the wrong direction, so it took a little backtracking to put us on the right trail. At Rock Chucker, my LJ scampered up with just a strategic placement of a piece of driftwood. Matt followed the same line and we were looking for the exit while Donavin's luck ran out, as his rig couldn't quite make the steep ledge. Worse luck when Matt started winching him up; caught a tire in a crack and the tie-rod pretzeled. Better luck with a jack handle and a lot of help made it all better. Mirror Gulch was up next, and we figure it was named that because of all of the side mirrors that have obviously been ripped off by the rocks. Careful tire placement and some good tires are needed to get through this narrow alley. Just past Mirror Gulch Paul's CJ2A developed a braking problem but it didn't take long to correct it and off we went. This was a week of overlooks, and the next one was scary. Looking straight down onto Hwy 191 from 1100 feet high forces you to scoot up to the edge. What an awesome sight! Finally we reach Widowmaker. This is a 7-foot ledge with no way around. It stands you on end and then it dares you to hit the gas. We hooked a tow strap on my front bumper with a guy holding the other end just in case it got too tipsy, and I made a few attempts before my tires got enough traction to pull my rig up. Now that's a rush! Matt once again followed me over this awesome obstacle, and Donavin got on it just enough for a poser shot. Fred gave us all a heart attack when his right front tire caught some air and two of us were pulling hard on the tow strap to keep his rig from turning turtle. I hooked my winch cable to the strap and got him safely on top. The rest of the group decided to backtrack to the nearest bypass road and they met us on the trail. Our last stop of the day was at Gemini Bridges. This unique pair of rock arch formations was the perfect spot to get a promo-style picture of our rigs, and to gaze at what took millions of years to make such a wonder. Saturday – The last day of our adventure started with a trip to Flat Iron Mesa. This is mostly a long trail with some tight turns and two interesting obstacles in Tilt-A-Whirl and Easter Egg Hill. These are not particularly difficult but they both require you to work a slow downhill line. Our last trail of this trip was Moab Rim. This trail always raises the pucker factor because of the proximity to the very edge of a precipice and the way the trail always seems to tilt your rig towards it. As it was getting later in the afternoon, we decided to cut the trail short at the sand hill. This hill is always a lot of fun. The only way to make it to the top is with lockers and wheel speed. If you can't maintain both, you're headed back down—backwards. Finally, it was time to say goodbye to this fabulous 4-wheelers playground. See you next year, Moab! |
|||
 |
|
 |
 |