Choose your adventure - Memorial Day weekend

[goSlo]

I figured we could be diplomatic and put up some choices of things to drive over this weekend.

Choose one, it's looking like a great weekend ahead of us!

1. Slaughterhouse Gulch (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/463-slaughterhouse-road-aka-slaughterhouse-gulch) (rated 3 - 5)
2. Rampart Range to Ice Cave and Balanced Rock Roads. (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/335-ice-cave-road) ( rated 3 - 4)
3. Cedar Mountain Road and one of the gulches (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/251-cedar-mountain-road). (rated 3 - 6)
4. Topaz Mountain/Wallace Gulch (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/2738-topaz-mountainwallace-gulch) (rated 3 - 3)


I'll vote #1

[TDash]

trying to get my whole family out so that crazy wash board everyone was sharing nightmare stories about for Ice Cave was scaring me a bit. The easier the better for when I bring the kids and wife so Slaughterhouse looks good to me funny that trailsoffroad is saying it's "Technical Rating: ( MODERATE - DIFFICULT )" but then if you read through it there are stock looking small SUVs and no one saying anything was hard.

[TDash]

P.S. what day are you planning on doing the run? Sat/Sun/Mon?

[RockyMtRebel]

wish I could join but I'll be driving to California this weekend..... duty calls

[goSlo]

It looks like Saturday has the best weather forecast.

Hoping Saturday would work.

I've never ran Slaughterhouse, it sounds the nicest (smoothest) for the family based on those reports.

Most likely it will be busy I would imagine.

Despite the name, you can tell your fam it's called S-Laughterhouse gulch. :P

[derf]

If anyone feels like going out to Moab, I'll be out there with a group. Finding housing anywhere near town may be a challenge though.

[goSlo]

Not that I'm following too closely, but I've got a trip planned in 26 days 19 hours and 40 minutes.

:steer:

[speedkills]

Slaughterhouse has one technical section with a bypass, that must be the 5 they are referring to Scott. I got through it with my silver Rover much to the amazement of the Jeep club I was with and a 5 is about all I can do in that so the rating for that section feels right to me, but again there is a bypass and I think your truck would walk right up it anyway.

[goSlo]

Would anyone oppose to doing this on Sunday?

It would help me with the family participation.

[speedkills]

I'm free Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

[goSlo]

Hopefully TDash is good with it.

I've already moved the calendar entry to Sunday.

Thanks Shane!

[TDash]

my CB is kind of out of order, since i got my truck sprayed, anyone recommend a good handheld for this weekend i can get from amazon?

[goSlo]

You good with Sunday Scott?

I'll have two extra Baofeng BF-F8's you can use one. They aren't CB, but GMRS/FRS.

Something like this should work for basic FRS comms.

https://smile.amazon.com/Midland-T10-X-TALKER-Channel-Walkie/dp/B00SLHM0PC

We will just have to do a little scan dance to find the exact frequencies already programmed into it and all jump on that.


edit: changed recommendation

[goSlo]

If anyone feels like going out to Moab, I'll be out there with a group. Finding housing anywhere near town may be a challenge though.


I'm still jealous! Have a great time out there this weekend!

[TDash]

yup i'm good with Sunday, we're open all weekend :)


ok i can pick these up easy.

felt mostly like a bum on the last run because i hadn't put my hi-lift back into my bed after getting my truck sprayed so i had to borrow one when my bead blew... part of the reason was just because of time but also partially because mine is really too small for my truck, luckily i got my new 60" hi-lift jack hoping it fits with my same old brackets i had for the 48" that i'm giving to PeterCbaby
https://i.imgur.com/X7ZvfSC.jpeg


haven't got a new antenna for my CB so i had to borrow a handheld too, after seeing Shane's comms setup i'm wondering if I should just replace what I got with his which seemed much better

also was able to get a tire kit with some spare valve cores :)

just dont have the can of ether lol, want to make sure i have the right one on hand

[speedkills]

I have those same Midland's and they work great for the price. If you don't have one in time Scott you can borrow one of mine, I keep extras in my rig just in case.

[speedkills]

For starting fluid I grab something with ether out of habit because that's what I was taught when I was a kid https://www.amazon.com/Johnsens-6732-Premium-Starting-Fluid/dp/B0009XEGO4 but it doesn't really matter. I've seen people use propane or gas in a pinch as well. I prefer fluid because you can spray a "fuse" on the ground where with propane you just need to get real close to the tire which I don't love.

[TDash]

ok cool ordered those and the starter fluid but won't be here until sunday or next week

[PeterCbaby]

ok cool ordered those and the starter fluid but won't be here until sunday or next week

I'm down for Sunday, just gotta see if the Fam wants to come! Should be a yes!

[goSlo]

Thunderstorms likely. High 54F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

I'll keep an eye out, but this makes me sad. I don't wanna put the top and doors back on! :frown:

[FINOCJ]

Keeping an eye on this run - kind of looking to get the jeep out, but that forecast isn't the best, and same, the doors and top are off and I'd rather keep it that way.

[derf]

I'm still jealous! Have a great time out there this weekend!

Getting out here was an adventure. But I have a new steering gearbox now.

[The StRanger]

Soooooo. The white Ranger is now the wife’s primary driver, the Black Exploder has front diff issue
and the green YJ is about 70% unregisterable ( long story) for now...
Im out for this weekend.

[Hugh]

Count me 90% in for Sunday. Side note, are you sure slaughterhouse is open? I'm seeing several sources list it as closed due to mud/erosion until 6/15 or dry conditions.

[goSlo]

The very last report I read on Trailsoffroad said it was open.

I wonder if I can get a ranger on the phone today.

Maybe also consider an alternative close to Bailey just in case.

There seems to be confusion. Hopefully a phone call will clear it up.












Status:

Open


Offroaded on:

05/20/2021


Open for the season.

















Status:

Seasonal Closure


Offroaded on:

04/12/2021


The seasonal mud closure is now in effect. This closure is in effect until June 15th, or until conditions are dry enough for the Forest Service to open the gates for the year.

[goSlo]

The Ranger station's hours are M-F only, got a voicemail.

The alternate, which actually sounds better than Slaughterhouse, will be a 30 minute ride south along Redskin Creek ending at Lake Wellington (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/3701-wellington-lake).
All of which are easy and open. I could definitely be convinced to ride this instead of Slaughterhouse, where the views probably aren't as nice.

edit: We can plan to meet at original location, if it looks busy we could move on to plan B.
I do worry the lake could be busier than Slaughterhouse.

You?

[TDash]

We are down for whatever, let's meet at the same spot and figure it out?

[goSlo]

Yep that works. See ya then.