March unofficial 'anniversary' run...

[FINOCJ]

Anyone interested in a March run as a day of winter adventure wheeling in the spirit of the original anniversary run in March? This is not to replace the formal/official CW anniversary run that looks to take place in June in when CW opens with camping/food and all. Would just be a day trip - and might be weather dependent as we know March can bring some large snow.

Dates: weekend of 3/10-11 or 3/17-18. I prefer saturdays (sunday is better skiing day), but can do whatever works best.

Location: Gulches or Illinois Gulch/Little Moab/Rainbow falls area - Both are about the same drive. Guessing the southern Rampart area with Illinois Guch etc would be better if there is concern about snow. Would also consider something up north like Sevenmile and whatever else is open and accessible this time of year.

Any interest - suggest dates and trails?

[Getaklu]

Interested, looking like the weekend of the 17 may be better at this point but that could change. Wouldn't mind exploring Illinois Gulch/Little Moab. Schedules are a bit tight March and April so no promises.

[FINOCJ]

Chris - sounds good...we'll see how this develops. I went to Illinois Gulch/Little Moab area quite a few years ago - there isn't a lot there other than the moab obstacle but the side roads off RRR can be interesting if snow covered. You can definitely spend a bit of time at the moab spot assuming it hasn't been closed off - not really sure what is technically legal and not. A few years ago that was a popular spot for winter wheeling.

[dieseldoc]

17th Illinois gulch/ little moab would be good

[Riotcake]

Illinois Gulch is a little northwest of "the gulches"? Where is little Moab? I don't know about that one. I would put in a vote for Mayberry or longwater for my own greedy reason of I haven't done them yet. But I haven't done Illinois/little Moab either. Or regular sized Moab, but that's a topic for another day...

[Getaklu]

Thanks James, i will keep an eye on the thread/calendar.

[FINOCJ]

Illinois Gulch is a little northwest of "the gulches"? Where is little Moab? I don't know about that one. I would put in a vote for Mayberry or longwater for my own greedy reason of I haven't done them yet. But I haven't done Illinois/little Moab either. Or regular sized Moab, but that's a topic for another day...

Lil Moab is an obstacle in the Rainbow falls area - copy this lat long into google maps for exact location (39.143920, -105.086503)- there is a bit of a loop that can be made and I am not sure what the other road is (edit - Missouri Gulch Rd and Hidden Valley Rd can be made into various loops). Most of the roads in the area are pretty easy - maybe some washout to navigate, but 2wd in the summer. In the winter, the snow can make it a bit more slippery and 4wd is nice. I have not been on any of them in a few years, and they can change depending on how recently the FS ran a grader on them. They can start to get more rutted and washed-out (fun), but then the grader flattens them back down and they are easy. Hotel gulch is kind of narrow but again easy. If its like it was...its a driving around in the snow in the ramparts kind of day with some playing on the lil moab feature. There is a quarry of some kind just to the west that might have some fun spots - I don't remember if this was accessible or closed off (even if accessible, probably not legal).

In terms of the gulches - I like Metberry better than Longwater, especially if there is snow. There are a couple more fun spots on Metberry, although nothing as challenging as the longwater rock. Longwater also has steeper grades which could be a PITA with snow. Not sure how much snow is in the area - or will be in a couple weeks - its been a bit snowy compared to early in the year when things were still pretty dry and we ran Hackett.

See if this google map link works - should put the lil moab obstacle right in the center with the quarry off to the left (west):
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1438261,-105.0863422,492m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

There is also this area just to the north accessed from Illinois Gulch that I don't remember but looks a bit more interesting than most of the roads:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1551215,-105.0968532,230m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

[JandDGreens]

I will try to join in on the fun. Just going to go with what ever you guys decide. (weather permitting)

[TNTJ05]

+1 for the 17th, whichever trails are decided.

[The StRanger]

I'm hopin everything works out.
I need to get out...

[TDash]

Hey guys I'm interested I can do one more run hopefully before the new baby comes!

[FINOCJ]

Its looking promising - 3/17 is seemingly the best day for many. Keep throwing out ideas and interest...In addition to the aforementioned gulches, Lil moab, and sevenmile...Fourmile area out near BV could be a possibility - any other suggestions? Maybe we could have a finalized plan to post up early next week and that would give some extra time for people to see and possibly sign-up.

[lokorob]

I usually work on Saturdays (prefer Sundays) but maybe I can take a day off..

[JDMYETI]

+ another vote for 3/17.

Not set on any one trail, only done longwater and hacket gulches so far. Something easyish in the snow is fine by me. As long as some one has a winch:)

[FINOCJ]

Lets set the date as Sat 3/17. For those that can go on that date...let's pick a trail and meeting spot.

[Riotcake]

I'm just gonna keep an eye on it. Not sure if I'll be able to go until it gets closer.

[FINOCJ]

bump...anyone been to Illinois Gulch and Lil Moab recently? I am happy to go that direction as I haven't been there in a while, and its a bit easier to get to than heading down Cedar Mt Rd to Metberry. But it could be a pretty mellow day other than the moab obstacle. Is there still interest to go to that area?

[Getaklu]

bump...anyone been to Illinois Gulch and Lil Moab recently? I am happy to go that direction as I haven't been there in a while, and its a bit easier to get to than heading down Cedar Mt Rd to Metberry. But it could be a pretty mellow day other than the moab obstacle. Is there still interest to go to that area?

Never been there but still interested understanding that it could be a mellow day. Meet in Sedalia from the North or Manitou Springs or Woodland Park from the South?

[Brian]

bump...anyone been to Illinois Gulch and Lil Moab recently? I am happy to go that direction as I haven't been there in a while, and its a bit easier to get to than heading down Cedar Mt Rd to Metberry. But it could be a pretty mellow day other than the moab obstacle. Is there still interest to go to that area?

I ran the area two weeks ago. It was very dry with sporadic mud and only light snow in the shadows. There's only been a dusting up there since and the temps have been well above freezing during the day recently. I didn't turn into Lil Moab, but I'd guess it could be a little muddy and slick.

[JandDGreens]

I have never been down to the rainbow falls area, I figured it to be very busy area during the summer season to mix it up with the atv crowd. So That would be fine with me.

[FINOCJ]

Okay - I am going to post it up for Illinois Gulch and Lil Moab for 3/17. I am interested to explore the area and take a bit of a long loop getting around to Moab hill - maybe try going up FR350A/B from Illinois Gulch (north from Rainbow Falls staging area) and it connects through to 348/351 (fern creek). We can then loop around to the east and south and work our way to Moab Hill on 344 and spend some time there. Any and all of the 348.X spurs might also be a bit fun to loop around on - its kind of a chaotic network of stuff. Here is the 2018 MVUM: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd493724.pdf
I have old paper MVUMs of the area, but with my new USB charger installed I hope to be able to use these digital maps more easily on my phone.

I would think it would be nice to be at Rainbow falls staging area at 10am ready to roll? Drive around the network a bit, hit moab hill around noon for lunch and some entertainment? We have some meeting options - could meet in Sedalia for those of us from the north and the south crew could meet whereever they like and carpool down to RF? Or we could just meet at the Rainbow falls staging area just off hwy67. There may not be phone service at Rainbow falls (?) - seems like Deckers, Westcreek and the gulches area don't have service - so that makes meeting in Sedalia a bit more helpful. Its about an hours drive from Sedalia (last gas) to RF. That would mean a meeting time of 8:30 in Sedalia...

let me know what you think...I'll get it posted up.

[Getaklu]

That all makes good sense to me. DST is this coming Saturday night so there will be a bit longer day on the 17th if needed/wanted as well.

[goSlo]

Sounds great!
Definitely looking forward to it.

[FINOCJ]

Posted on calendar...further discussion in planned run thread here:
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?26538-Illinois-Gulch-Little-Moab-(Sat-3-17)&p=321917#post321917