First Moab Wheeling Trip at the end of June 2025

[WILDHOBO]

On Steel Bender there is no way to bypass The Dragon's Tail that I know of. This is a very sketchy steep drop with a sharp left at the bottom. Get it wrong and you don't just flop, you likely roll several times down a steep, rocky slope.
You will not have a controlled descent; at some point gravity will overcome your traction and you will slide with all four wheels locked up until your front reaches the bottom. Photos and video do not do this obstacle justice and don't be fooled by the "B-line" - that route is even more sketchy and risks a rollover to the side. Your best and safest bet is to go straight over and get used to standing on the firewall.

Even a lifted short-wheelbase Jeep will hit the belly and scratch the tail. When we did this in the LJR we had a very built Gladiator on 42"s lower us down with a strap so we didn't somersault.

It’s not bypassable. You’re right. Many just do the trail up to that point. I went down it in my gladiator, but others were not joining me, so came back up and stayed with the group. I did need to winch. I got stuck somewhere on the way up. But I wanted to prove to myself that I could get down it safely. Since I skipped it the time before.

Sponsored

 

[OldNo7BoozeBag]

NOOOOO WAY should you camp out. I moved out here from the east coast two years ago. You're from SC, desert camping is an entirely different animal than you're used to and not to mention whatever you have for gear may not be suitable to the climate and conditions here. It's awesome and beautiful in it's own ways, but your trip will be much more enjoyable at a cheap motel or Air BnB, where you can shower and not have to bag your poop and carry it around with you. Also think about timing considerations, everything takes longer camping, including meals, cleanup, etc...at least it seems that way with me, but I'm always with my 7 & 10 year old, haha, and leaves less time for the reason you're out here.

The Ouray area is beautiful and a great idea for a side trip. I would stay a night or two though because it's like 3 hours from Moab. Then you could have time to do some trails and not just have lunch in town, then turnaround and head back to Moab. If in Ouray, I would definitely take two hours and drive up to Red Mountain Pass, google or YouTube it. There's a few Jeep Badge of Honor Trails around there if that's your thing. If you're with your wife, Ouray has a bunch of little shops, restaurants, and hot springs also. If you're not with your wife, there's a few breweries. Good Luck...and bring lots of water, drink it even when you aren't thirsty...

 

[Shibbyjeep]

NOOOOO WAY should you camp out. I moved out here from the east coast two years ago. You're from SC, desert camping is an entirely different animal than you're used to and not to mention whatever you have for gear may not be suitable to the climate and conditions here. It's awesome and beautiful in it's own ways, but your trip will be much more enjoyable at a cheap motel or Air BnB, where you can shower and not have to bag your poop and carry it around with you. Also think about timing considerations, everything takes longer camping, including meals, cleanup, etc...at least it seems that way with me, but I'm always with my 7 & 10 year old, haha, and leaves less time for the reason you're out here.

The Ouray area is beautiful and a great idea for a side trip. I would stay a night or two though because it's like 3 hours from Moab. Then you could have time to do some trails and not just have lunch in town, then turnaround and head back to Moab. If in Ouray, I would definitely take two hours and drive up to Red Mountain Pass, google or YouTube it. There's a few Jeep Badge of Honor Trails around there if that's your thing. If you're with your wife, Ouray has a bunch of little shops, restaurants, and hot springs also. If you're not with your wife, there's a few breweries. Good Luck...and bring lots of water, drink it even when you aren't thirsty...

Yeah I have heeded the previous warning about the want for A/C so we are going to do either an Airbnb or my buddy my trade his camper for something smaller than he has now(kids got big and itll be he and his wife and maybe a kid camping in the future) and we may drag a camper and find a campsite with hook ups. I am going over to his house tonight to hammer out the final details. Wife wont be coming, its going to be a guys trip for sure.

Also in no way do I expect my truck to conquer all of the trails and obstacles in the list at the start of the thread. I know how to gauge my trucks ability and will continue to research each trail and their current conditions and make sound decisions on which ones I will take the truck on and which obstacles that have bypasses will be bypassed. I have a buddy with a Tacoma on 35's that is going as well and he knows his truck will be more limited than most and on the days the group goes and does something of higher difficulty we may break off and choose to do something thats more suitable for our rigs. I appreciate all the feedback from everyones experience and I am super excited for the trip!

 

[Shibbyjeep]

Oh and if I damage my rear bumper while on the trip its just the excuse I need to replace it. I havent bc im good with the OEM one until something is wrong with it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Oh and if I damage my rear bumper while on the trip its just the excuse I need to replace it. I havent bc im good with the OEM one until something is wrong with it.

Hitch skid and bed sliders are very important. I’m on my second rear bumper, even with both. But what you don’t want is the bumper pushing into the body. Bumpers are easy to replace as long as the body is fine.

 

[pcrawfordpt]

Agreed…my hitch 41.22 hitch skid gets a workout there…probably taken an 1/8th of an inch off it already.
https://41twentytwo.com/product/hit...mVpYMrop4uAKPC12rK04B8YihL5v1qY2HW9DDkAEZFbLw

 

[WILDHOBO]

Agreed…my hitch 41.22 hitch skid gets a workout there…probably taken an 1/8th of an inch off it already.
https://41twentytwo.com/product/hit...mVpYMrop4uAKPC12rK04B8YihL5v1qY2HW9DDkAEZFbLw

I prefer something wider myself to limit some of the bumper hits. I use the Warfab Sheridan Short. Also has a recovery point on it like your 41.22

 

[WifesJTMechanic]

I prefer something wider myself to limit some of the bumper hits. I use the Warfab Sheridan Short. Also has a recovery point on it like your 41.22

Same here! Wider is better. Here’s what we use. This one is multi-purpose (step, recovery, skid, and antenna/whip mount). https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-1810.htm

 

[WILDHOBO]

Same here! Wider is better. Here’s what we use. This one is multi-purpose (step, recovery, skid, and antenna/whip mount). https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-1810.htm

Rock hard makes solid stuff. I have or their 10 lca and shock skids.

 

[ALT2870]

Trails in the Ouary/Telluride/Silverton area will be a hit or miss in June. Yes not good snow year but still plenty and it will take time to clear. I'd imagine the the Ouray side of Imogene, Engineer, Cinnamon, and maybe Ophir passes will be open. Black Bear and Imogene on the Telluride side have massive damage from storms last fall and I'd be surprised to see those open by late July. (You can usually summit Black Bear but can't go further.) Poughkeepsie Gluch will probably not be open but the surrounding passs might be. I'd personally recommend a separate trip in September for max enjoyment though most non holiday weekdays are enjoyable as well.

Edit: San Miguel County is tentatively saying September before they are able to open up Imogene on their side. Ophir is already open to the summit on the Silverton side. I'd recommend checking out this site for updates: https://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

 

[DylanM]

Trails in the Ouary/Telluride/Silverton area will be a hit or miss in June. Yes not good snow year but still plenty and it will take time to clear. I'd imagine the the Ouray side of Imogene, Engineer, Cinnamon, and maybe Ophir passes will be open. Black Bear and Imogene on the Telluride side have massive damage from storms last fall and I'd be surprised to see those open by late July. (You can usually summit Black Bear but can't go further.) Poughkeepsie Gluch will probably not be open but the surrounding passs might be. I'd personally recommend a separate trip in September for max enjoyment though most non holiday weekdays are enjoyable as well.

Last update I saw said the Telluride side of Imogene is closed until September at the earliest due to the work needed to fix the slide damage. Foot and bicycle traffic is allowed for now, but that'll end as well when repairs get started.

 

[ALT2870]

Ya, just saw that and updated my post.

 

[Sw00per]

+1 for the 4122. It did the trick at EJS

 

[MoabRat]

So with your mods I would skip the Pritchett run. It’s been pretty much eroded to be only for purpose built trail rigs for at least 10-12 years. I differ on Steel Bender. It will be demanding but we’ve never had an issue with a decent lift and tires on anyone we’ve brought there. The trick is you need a good spotter. I luckily have my wife who most everyone we wheel with asks for help . A hotel is a must that time of year and gives you a chance to hit some good food, get clean, and stay cool. Hit Pasta Jays and Milts. Have a great time. Common sense is your best friend.

 

[Stan H]

Jay's and Milts ?

Sponsored