10/25-27 planning (Moab?)

[FINOCJ]

Had been planning on a trip to Moab for 10/25-27, but now that my tow vehicle is unavailable for a while, not sure if I want to drive the cj5 all the way to Moab and back...but still thinking those dates could be a fun trip somewhere - preferable overnight. Its getting a bit late for anything higher elevation in Colo, but just testing the waters. Plus, if there was interest to go to Moab, I'd probably make it work somehow.

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Following

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This probably isn't quite what you are after, but I've long wanted to visit Big Bend NP. October is a good time for that.

[Java]

I'm there the week before, 21-24 or so, combining it with some stuff in Grand Junction. Haven't finalized plans yet, but will post when I do.

[FINOCJ]

Its looking like I could make Moab for the dates above - my tacoma replacement loaner is another tacoma with a hitch so I can pull the jeep. Anyone interested in Moab end of the month?

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Have any plans for what you want to do in Moab?

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Probably some of the stuff you just ran....Golden Spike and Sevenmile are on my to do list that I have never done. Poison Spyder is currently my favorite trail in the area, so always open to running that one again. Steel Bender or Strike Ravine would be new ones that I don't think many people here have run....

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I'd like to run all of Poison Spider Mesa sometime. I feel like we didn't run much of it when we ran the trifecta. I'm interested in the dates you propose, but I'm uncertain if I can go then. Golden Spike is not something I'm excited to run again so soon, but Sevenmile is always good fun. I'm not familiar with Steel Bender or Strike Ravine, but I can look those up.

Are you planning to primitive camp or find something in town (improved campsite/hotel) this trip?

[FINOCJ]

Did you guys only run the section up to the Golden Spike turn-off? When I ran it with Jim and Brian, we did the whole PS lollipop loop, and then did Where Eagles dare on the way back. Steel Bender and Strike Canyon are listed as about the same as PS/GS according to the Red Rock Wheelers website, but I don't know much about them. Always happy to explore some new ones. We would probably stay in campground in town.

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We took the first turn off of P.S. onto Golden Spike. We missed most of P.S. and never reached the loop. There is a connector from the end of the P.S. loop to G.S. I think, but we didn't get that far. In retrospect, it is very good that we did not run any more of P.S. before getting onto G.S. We would not have finished before dark if we had run any more trail miles.

Golden Spike was a big step up in difficulty from the part of P.S. we ran and compared to Gold Bar Rim. I believe P.S. and G.B.R. are 7/10 and G.S. was an 8/10. That jump from 7/8 is where my Jeep would really benefit from lockers and/or 35s instead of 33s. G.S. was pretty stressful since it put me in positions where I felt my rig was not fully equipped for the task.

Anything that is the same as P.S. or G.B.R. would be a good time, but if we get into G.S. difficulty I'd have to research carefully.

[FINOCJ]

Here is the RR4W trail info for comparison of the trails....
https://www.rr4w.com/Trails-Home.cfm

They rate Golden Spike as a 7, and PS at a 6. I ran some of GS when we went did the Where Eagles Dare, and I think you are correct that there is a difference between 6 and 7 for rigs on 33s without full lockers. Both Steel bender and Strike Ravine are rated 6....Again, these are the RR4W ratings - not sure how they compare to the ratings you are using, but for 'internal' comparison that GS is pushing the limit, whereas PS is 'fun', means SB and SR would be more like PS.

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The ratings I'm calling out are what I remember on the signs on the trail. My memory may be wrong, and it could be 6 and 7 instead of 7 and 8 for those trails. Regardless, for a single resource (common rating system), anything that was P.S. difficulty seems like it would be fun and anything G.S. difficulty might be more work and stress than fun for me. Sounds like Steel Bender and Strike Ravine are worth a closer look. I'll check them out later today.

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Did you guys only run the section up to the Golden Spike turn-off? When I ran it with Jim and Brian, we did the whole PS lollipop loop, and then did Where Eagles dare on the way back. Steel Bender and Strike Canyon are listed as about the same as PS/GS according to the Red Rock Wheelers website, but I don't know much about them. Always happy to explore some new ones. We would probably stay in campground in town.

The map on this page shows how we cut off P.S. early pretty well. We got off the purple route and onto the gold route at the first opportunity.

https://www.jeeptheusa.com/golden-spike-45.html

Also, you are correct about the P.S. and G.S. ratings. My memory of the signage is off. Here's a photo of the signs along the trail -- https://traildamage.com/reports/gold-bar-rim-171014/#gallery/1ca874871b438eafe158f961984e6aa2/62472

[Brian]

I just got back last weekend from Moab. Ran seven trails in six days and one of the new ones for me was Moab Rim. I haven't seen you guys mention it, but I thought it was a good blend of technical and scenic trail riding. Cliffhanger was another new one I did, however it was pretty intense and will definitely give your skid plates a work out.

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I just booked a tent site at moab valley RV and campground (the same place I've stayed the last few years during the fall trip)....We will arrive Sat 10/24 in the evening (no wheeling), and leave on Tues 10/27. It is probable that we will spend half the day on Tues morning doing stuff in the area, before needing to head back to Denver in the afternoon. We are heading to Moab no matter what, but if no-one else with 4wd interest goes, we will leave the jeep home and bring our MTBs...If we have interest from others to wheel, then we would certainly bring the jeep with us. In terms of jeep trails, would be interested in Strike Ravine and Steel Bender for new trails, and are open to spending a day re-running favorites such as Poison Spyder or Hells Revenge....Although its a bit of a trip towing the jeep (if we bring it), we might only shoot for Sun-Mon wheeling, and then save Tues morning for MTBing before heading home....we are completely flexibly - just looking to enjoy out last bit of 'summer' before winter ski season in Montana picks up.

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Mountain biking could be good fun instead of wheeling. I've never taken my bike out there.

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Mountain biking could be good fun instead of wheeling. I've never taken my bike out there.

Its a lot of fun - especially with the cooler weather. Just like wheeling, riding on the slickrock is pretty unique, and I much prefer it to riding in front range Colo. After MTBing in Moab for a few years, we started going to Fruita a few years ago and get much the same red rock, canyon type riding with a bit shorter drive from Denver. Its quite nice to drive out in the morning, and still get a nice afternoon ride in, and the same on the way home. Plus, from Fruita, in addition to the classic canyon country red rock trails near kokopelli and rabbit valley, and the 'lunch loops' trails near the monument, you can also head just a bit north (18 road) and bike cruisy flow trails on the mancos shale, as well as more colorado-esque rocky mt trails near Palisade on the grand mesa. And the vibe (pre C19 of course) in Fruita is mellow low key compared to moab.

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I'm out this time. Not able to get away on those days. Enjoy!

[Udi]

Hmm...

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Hmm...

Hey Udi - so far no one else is going, so my wife and I are just planning on taking our mountain bikes and doing non-motorized stuff. Louis was interested to go and bring his old land cruiser a couple days ago, but was having trouble finding camping options for Sat night (Jeep Jamboree ends on 10/24 and I think many are staying Sat night and leaving Sunday). He opted out due to limited time and weather concerns with travel on Sunday. If you decide you are interested and are going to go, let me know asap as I will need to get my jeep ready to tow out on Sat. cheers....

[Udi]

Thanks James, I wish I could. Have fun biking up there and stay safe.

Udi