Way early for this but...

[TJS86TOY]

Who, if anyone would be interested in taking some time off to do this run?

http://montrosecounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=294f88f09b3c4002b4e9cd87511fe3b1

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=556

[Jim]

YES!

[Tom]

Yes

[Jim]

I expected Tom's name to show up!

Brad?

Chris might be in too.

[dieseldoc]

Wish I could take time of for a run like this.

[78bj40]

TJ, when are you thinking of doing it?

[ExplorerTom]

I ran it back in early June. Depending on the weather this winter, it could take until late May or early June to fully open up. I think we were about 7 to 10 days after the road through the section outside of Montrose was clear of snow.

When we we ran it, it was BONE dry. I saw lots of this in my mirrors:
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu143/TJUrbanek/Explorer/Rim%20Rocker/DAB21189-0F47-48CC-8202-60D61B29CC8A.jpg (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/TJUrbanek/media/Explorer/Rim%20Rocker/DAB21189-0F47-48CC-8202-60D61B29CC8A.jpg.html)

The trail itself is easy (when dry). We left Montrose around noon, camped near the CO/UT border around 8 pm, left camp around 8 am, and were in Moab by noon. And that was stopping at nearly every major intersection to photographic and document them for the trailsoffroad write up. Most parts of the trail are what I call "Ford Escape capable", but there are some sections of rocks that are nice to have some bigger tires and clearance.

There was was plenty of evidence of people struggling on the road when it's muddy.

Its a a good trail to take to get into Moab slowly- but perhaps only possible when it's hot in Moab. It was 100 degrees in Moab when we got there. The Kokopeli is still better in my opinion.

[TJS86TOY]

TJ, when are you thinking of doing it?

No concrete dates yet. I had planned on running it next Year in one of the "mild seasons" so I recently spoke with my friend Dave to see if he wanted to go. He was interested so I decided to post it up here. As in the pic above, I knew it would be dusty but we don't have to run tight, that's what radios are for. My thoughts are that I should get it up here early because depending on how many people want to go, we will have to plan around everyone's schedule and possibly split in to groups. I would be running in the 3RD gen 4Runner as it is better set up for that kind of trip. Also, I won't be in a big hurry so if you want to run the whole trail in one day go for it, but I won't.

My suggestion for time to run it is early to mid Fall, of course just a suggestion. As some of us know, Moab and the arid climate gets awful hot in the summer, early spring we may contend with lots of mud and snow. Just observations, I very much welcome everyone's input and we can put this together!

[Jim]

Later season sounds good to me (no snow / dry / not MOAB hot).

[ColoJeeper]

Looks like fun to me, would like to do it if the schedule is right.

[Jim]

Heck - Tom's now thinking of upgrading his rig for this run!!!

http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?25398-I-need-a-new-rig

:lmao:

[JandDGreens]

How many days would this trip involve? 3-4? If so I would be interested also. If it doesn't interfere with my son's Graduation. Would it be a good trail for a overland trailer?

[ExplorerTom]

How many days would this trip involve? 3-4? If so I would be interested also. If it doesn't interfere with my son's Graduation. Would it be a good trail for a overland trailer?

We left Denver probably around 7:30 am. We got to Montrose around noon and filled the gas tanks. Got to our camp site around 8 pm. Left camp around 8 am and we were in Moab just after noon. It was 2 days, 1 night for me. I don't think you could stretch it into 4. 3 days maybe if you did a lot of stopping.

Most of of the trail is a dirt road. There is 1 spot that I can remember that would be a slight challenge with a trailer. But if the trailer is set up right it would be fine.

[FINOCJ]

That could be fun...if done when I am on summer break from teaching then it could be a go. Sounds like better to take the Tacoma with some camp gear and can close-up the windows to stay out of the dust.

[JandDGreens]

I was thinking what the round trip would be? If we are going to Moab would we camp one night there (play in Moab?) and then return the way we came? That could easily run into 3-4 days.

[TJS86TOY]

How many days would this trip involve? 3-4?

Thanks Tom, I was going to ask you about that.

I would like to keep options open for everyone interested as well. Some may want to run one way and run the highway back, some may (including myself) want to explore some trails in Moab. I tend to take my time to run trails, im not too slow but I like to see the scenery. I will try to drum up an itinerary here soon.

Myself, I plan on taking a week off and exploring aside from running this trail.

[MultiScuf]

Give a date you have in your head I book for the first 3 weeks of the new year but other than that am golden.

[JandDGreens]

If the timing is right (late spring early summer) I would love to go. I can manage something like Thurs-Tuesday. Hopefully this can be the first of many Overland type of trips.

[TJS86TOY]

Give a date you have in your head I book for the first 3 weeks of the new year but other than that am golden.

Ok lets say Friday Sept 1st 2017 through Sunday the 10th (Monday the 4th is Labor Day)

Lets see if we can work around that. If not we can consider another date range.

Or

June 17th to June 25th

[ExplorerTom]

I was thinking what the round trip would be?

pick up the Kokopeli Trail at Dewey Bridge and run it back to Fruita.

[Jim]

Any thought to go Moab > Gateway CO for a return route?

UT-128 / Dolores Triangle Safari Route

or

Dolores Triangle Safari Route / La Sal Loop

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.6763409,-108.9775836/38.5312688,-109.4981753/@38.4944245,-109.4167593,11z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e1

[Tom]

Any thought to go Moab > Gateway CO for a return route?

UT-128 / Dolores Triangle Safari Route

or

Dolores Triangle Safari Route / La Sal Loop

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.6763409,-108.9775836/38.5312688,-109.4981753/@38.4944245,-109.4167593,11z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e1
That road out of Gateway looks like the one I drove a few miles down last spring when I went to the hanging flume. Its a georgous canyon.

[TJS86TOY]

Any thought to go Moab > Gateway CO for a return route?

UT-128 / Dolores Triangle Safari Route

or

Dolores Triangle Safari Route / La Sal Loop

So many choices. Thats why I figured it would be a good idea to post this now. Lots of planning.

To answer your question, no I had not thought about it but I sure am now!

[Java]

I'd be interested in the Gateway to Moab part, it goes through John Brown Canyon and is a stunning area. http://coloradobirdingtrail.com/site/john-brown-canyon/ I just bumped a video thread about it

[Java]

Just an alternative: from Montrose you can take the Uncompahgre Plateau to 141, 141 to Gateway to Moab. I've been scheming and dreaming about it for a couple of years, here's an old post about the Uncompahgre Plateau: http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?18127-Anyone-been-to-the-Uncompahgre-Plateau

There is so much to do there, tons of side trails and camping, and you can drop down midway to Escalante Canyon, another incredible place.

This site is still about two months from done, but I put up simple drawings of both routes on the map: http://coloradooverlandroutesandelements.com/index.html

[coolerthanafan]

Ok lets say Friday Sept 1st 2017 through Sunday the 10th (Monday the 4th is Labor Day)

Lets see if we can work around that. If not we can consider another date range.

Or

June 17th to June 25th

Hey TJ!
I'm in for either. I'm guessing Sept is not as hot?
Lets do this! :thumb:

[Tom]

Hey TJ!
I'm in for either. I'm guessing Sept is not as hot?
Lets do this! :thumb:10 days is way more than I can commit to. I was thinking more like 5.

[JandDGreens]

10 days is way more than I can commit to. I was thinking more like 5.
I think that if enough go. Those that can go for a extended stay will and those that can go for lets say the 1st to the 4th or 5th can make their way back on a route that would suite them. For me I am going to try and do Friday and head back on Tuesday to be back by Wednesday. It would be nice to do some trails in Utah.

[TJS86TOY]

Rite ^ , Im taking 10 days off, just not wheeling every day. The dates I posted is merely a range to provide flexibility. Some people are going to want options as far as going home when, what way to take back, and long to go. Once destinated in Moab, we can split in to as many small groups as need be to suit the needs of individuals. Don't care how we work it out but the main goal for me would be everyone's safety. I would hate to see anybody broke down on a 160 mile long trail or highway out in the middle of nowhere having no other vehicle to help (Ever see the movie "Wrong Turn???) ..

My suggestion is that if you are serious about going, post up a rough draft Itinerary, if the dates I listed are good for you and how many days you want to try and go for. I will post mine here soon.




Hey TJ!
I'm in for either. I'm guessing Sept is not as hot?
Lets do this!

Quite rite. Been to Moab 4wheeling in Mid August and had no A/C in the rig at the time. Won't be doing that again!

[jayson44]

watching this for the dates. the new JK would love a trip like this!

J.

[TJS86TOY]

watching this for the dates. the new JK would love a trip like this!

With the holidays, havent had time to actually sit down and figure things out yet but soon.

[66cobra]

I would be up to doing this run.

[Chris]

I was just reading about Rimrocker elsewhere and think it would be fun. It sounds like not much more than a dirt road with good scenery which is enough for me these days.

[The StRanger]

When we find out when I'd love try to fit it in.

[TJS86TOY]

Still trying to iron out some details. Should have a general Idea here soon. Didn't forget about it :)

[Victor]

Let us know! I may be interested as well, need a reason to use up some vacation time

[TJS86TOY]

Well crud. Some unexpected life changes happened (company I worked for went belly up) and everything at this point is in the air. I know I kinda started this post so, sorry. If things get back on track and I don't end up living on my property in the middle of nowhere by San Louis, in my camper :erm: , I would like to still plan on this.

[JandDGreens]

Sorry to hear this, Hope that you rebound quickly. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that this will open up bigger and better things!

[TJS86TOY]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[Tom]

I too am likely not doing anything longer this year. Have had major issues as well. Looks like 5k in doctors and hospital bills in Jan. Been really really sick. Son moved home, 2k at least for his apt that he's no longer (2 months on the lease). Had to buy a new bed for the wife, waterbed started leaking. 2017 has not been good so far.

[TJS86TOY]

2017 has not been good so far.

No kidding! When it rains it pours! Optimistically, I really hope the rest of the year meets everyone with good fortune!

[Chris]

Maybe we can put together a gimp run. We can meet and stare at our trucks and the trail. :brody:

[Chris]

Well crud. Some unexpected life changes happened (company I worked for went belly up) and everything at this point is in the air. I know I kinda started this post so, sorry. If things get back on track and I don't end up living on my property in the middle of nowhere by San Louis, in my camper :erm: , I would like to still plan on this.

Well that sucks TJ. Good luck on finding a new & better job fast!

[JandDGreens]

Ok I am not sure if others are still interested in going to Moab over the Labor Day weekend but, My wife got her Vac.s approved and we were planning to go Leaving Friday Morning and heading home on Monday. We are staying at the KOA south of Moab but do intend on taking the rim rocker trial to Moab (if there are not any takers I we will just make a B-line to the KOA) and may camp one night along the route if it is what others want to do. Once in Moab we plan on more sight seeing than wheeling but will be playing it by ear.

[Chris]

I don't plan that far out David but I think we'd enjoy going that weekend.

[JandDGreens]

I am hoping we get a group together so we can do the trail out there.

[Chris]

Might want to start a new thread for a Moab run.

[TJS86TOY]

Time to revive this. I am still thinking of doing the Rimrocker trail Leaving starting September 1st and getting back,, well, whenever I get back... Would like to run the trail, spend a day or two in Moab then depending on time and how exhausted I am head back to Denver via whatever route seems appropriate at the time. Sorry for not being more detailed but that's half the fun, not knowing what is around the next bend. Wanted to see if there is still any interest?

[JandDGreens]

Hey TJ, I'm interested!