MOAB! Last week of October

[Java]

Moab! Without highways. The last week of October I want to go from Grand Junction into Moab via the desert and crossing the Dolores River on Monday or tuesday, do a couple of Moab classics like Fins n' Things, Seven Mile Rim and Dome Plateau, maybe some hiking, then leave via Onion Creek / John Brown Canyon on Thursday or Friday before the crowds arrive. It's a quiet time in Moab, relatively, and the weather should be great.

[open_circuit]

Consider me as registering my interest here.

[Jim]

innerested

`mentioned would check some boxes.
Dolores River
Onion Creek
Dome Plateau

[derf]

There's always the rimrocker trail...

https://rimrockertrail.org/

[TDash]

interested

[speedkills]

I'm interested but it's too early for me to commit.

[Java]

If I understand this map correctly there is dispersed camping allowed in the Dome Plateau area? I'm somewhat hesitant to camp in the established campsites in moab, considering dispersed or might just do 2 or 3 nights at a hotel.

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/BLMUtahMoabCamping.pdf

[Steve-O]

Following

[open_circuit]

Late October should be good time for camping. Could always camp up in the La Sal forest (dispersed) as well.

[jayson44]

uh, yes please!

J.

[Java]

You can't dispersed camp within 20 miles of Moab, Dewey Bridge is 32.4 miles from Moab according to google maps. This map is pretty clear, looks like anywhere up by Top of the World, Dome Plateau, is fair game. I'm going to hold off deciding on camping or hotel based on weather when the time comes. Dates and trails and such are still flexible.

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Moab%20BLM%20Visitior%20Guide_pub_2019_all%20verti cal%20pages.pdf

[Schmitty]

Subscribed.

[Tom]

If not camping I would have considered this. Bummer, but will keep watching in case things change.

[GaryG]

Interested, will watch this thread

[Java]

No worries, Tom, we can all go together through the desert and split up for the night once in Moab. I'm still strongly considering a hotel, might even make a refundable reservation today for two nights just to have it. I really like having a shower in Moab! We don't have to be joined at the hip when we're there either, just plan for trail meetups when we want to and for the trek back to CO, or just leave Moab whenever / however anyone wants. It's all flexible and there's no reason we can't have people doing different things. :thumb:

[open_circuit]

I really like having a shower in Moab!

This is why I carried 6 extra gallons of water in May and brought a battery-powered shower and a shower tent. It was glorious.

[TDash]

if i go i'll be doing a hotel

sounds like i'll be getting my truck back before the end of September so here's hoping there are no setbacks

[Java]

...work BS...

[Java]

...work BS...

[Java]

Work is all good, I am free, this is happening. :thumb: Anyone interested in this for next weekend or the one after? I can take either friday-sunday off, or if anyone wants to do weekdays I can do Nov 17 Wed- ??. Meet up in Grand Junction at Bangs Canyon around noon on Friday (flexible) and go throught the desert, across the Dolores river and into Moab. It's an historically good time to cross the river, it is historically low this year. I was just in Grand Junction for a few days and the nights were really cold, not sure about camping or hotel yet... also want to see what the weather is.

[open_circuit]

Sounds like fun. Not sure I can take off either of the next two weekends due to kid commitments (next weekend is Halloween, right?).

[Java]

Sunday is. The next sunday is daylight savings time, so I guess the return trip would be an hour shorter. I can do anything through the 21st of Nov.

[open_circuit]

I have permission to take Fri - Sun Oct 29-31 to run this if the schedule lines up.

[Java]

Great! :thumb:

[open_circuit]

Sweet. Are we camping? I just bought a new cold weather bag I need to try out.

[Java]

I am on the fence about camping vs. hotel, it's getting pretty cold at night. IDK...

[open_circuit]

I bought a zero degree bag. I should be comfortable with nighttime temps down to ~25-30F. If hotel is the direction we decide to go that probably needs to be booked pretty soon.

[Java]

I have a reservation at the La Quinta, but it can be cancelled, I just wanted to have the option. I'll probably go that way unless there's a great camping option that comes up, it's just easier.

[TyTheJeepGuy]

I would be in but I'm running low on PTO for the year. I get more starting next year so more wheelin!

It sounds like you have chosen a great time of year and rough gameplan, have fun y'all!

[Java]

Change of plans: I spoke with Trent at Johnny Park and he was pretty interested in Bangs Canyon and the Delores Triangle area, but we were both kind of ho-humming over Moab trails, we've both done a lot there and only had one trail we both hadn't already done in mind. So I think I'd like to move this to Fruita / Grand Junction, save Moab for another time. There are a lot of great trails there, lodging is cheap, camping at Rabbit Valley is awesome and we can still do Bangs Canyon and the triangle roads. I'll post up a new thread soon.

[open_circuit]

Changes are coming to Rabbit Valley dispersed camping:

https://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?29122-Rabbit-Valley-camping-changes&p=347506#post347506

[Java]

I was just there two weeks ago and it was empty, maybe four campsites taken. It was always like that a few years ago, but on the weekends it's always full now and there was some trash at some sites but worst of all my wife came out of the women's room just east of the start in horror; someone had skipped the toilet, leaned up against the wall and pooped the floor. In the "ladies" room. I'm all for whatever changes they make, it's a beautiful area and I'd love to see it stay that way. The biggest problem with camping there is the same as Sand Flats in Moab, rats and other rodents. Hopefully reservations will help with keeping things cleaner. People suck.

I'm weighing this area and another for a couple of days starting around 4/20, I'll post up when we're sure.