Planning a Moab trip, Spring 2023

[WILDHOBO]

We did a bunch in CO (black bear, Imogene, etc). Moab has been on my list forever.

Finally get to do it this summer. Can’t friggin wait!!!

It’s a playground. We live in CO, but I haven’t done any CO badges yet. My potentially unrealistic goal is all 6 in Colorado, and the last 4 in Utah this year. In Utah I need Hole in the Rock, Metal Masher, Cliff Hanger, and Pritchett Canyon. How was Black Bear? There are so many horror stories.

Sponsored

 

[Fpolanco]

It’s a playground. We live in CO, but I haven’t done any CO badges yet. My potentially unrealistic goal is all 6 in Colorado, and the last 4 in Utah this year. In Utah I need Hole in the Rock, Metal Masher, Cliff Hanger, and Pritchett Canyon. How was Black Bear? There are so many horror stories.

I hate to say it but it was relatively easy. Easy in the sense that the terrain was easy. However the margin for error is razor thin so I made sure to stay laser focused.

I had a hitch slide and made sure to use it on the switchbacks.

The horror stories usually include ppl that had no business being there (going up the wrong way in a Ford Bronco Sport/Escape) and losing focus (forgetting to put the Jeep in park).

That last one prob explains why we now all have the AutoPark feature...

 

[WILDHOBO]

I hate to say it but it was relatively easy. Easy in the sense that the terrain was easy. However the margin for error is razor thin so I made sure to stay laser focused.

I had a hitch slide and made sure to use it on the switchbacks.

The horror stories usually include ppl that had no business being there (going up the wrong way in a Ford Bronco Sport/Escape) and losing focus (forgetting to put the Jeep in park).

That last one prob explains why we now all have the AutoPark feature...

Hitch slide? Do you mean hitch skid? How did you use it on the switchbacks?

The easy terrain, small margin of error is pretty much what I’ve heard. I don’t like shelf roads, but I’m stubborn and will do it, slowly.

 

[Fpolanco]

Hitch slide? Do you mean hitch skid? How did you use it on the switchbacks?

The easy terrain, small margin of error is pretty much what I’ve heard. I don’t like shelf roads, but I’m stubborn and will do it, slowly.

Sorry, stupid auto correct. Yes. Hitch skid.

When I had to reverse on the switchbacks and I hit the hitch skid, I backed up even more to give myself more room to cut the wheel and make the turn.

As for the shelf road portion, if you decide to look around and enjoy the view (which I recommend you do often), make you come to a complete stop.

It’s not as bad as you think. Some spots are wide enough for 2 rigs to pass. Barely enough, but enough.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Sorry, stupid auto correct. Yes. Hitch skid.

When I had to reverse on the switchbacks and I hit the hitch skid, I backed up even more to give myself more room to cut the wheel and make the turn.

As for the shelf road portion, if you decide to look around and enjoy the view (which I recommend you do often), make you come to a complete stop.

It’s not as bad as you think. Some spots are wide enough for 2 rigs to pass. Barely enough, but enough.

Oh yeah. I can see that. I’ve definitely backed into my hitch skid during a 37 point turn. If it’s that wide I’ll be fine. I really hated shafer trail in canyonlands. We had our trailer attached and it was as wide as a toothpick. Shaking like a leaf.

 

[Fpolanco]

Oh yeah. I can see that. I’ve definitely backed into my hitch skid during a 37 point turn. If it’s that wide I’ll be fine. I really hated shafer trail in canyonlands. We had our trailer attached and it was as wide as a toothpick. Shaking like a leaf.

With a trailer!? YIKES!!

if you did Shafer with a trailer, you should be able to do Black Bear blindfolded!!

 

[WILDHOBO]

With a trailer!? YIKES!!

if you did Shafer with a trailer, you should be able to do Black Bear blindfolded!!

We came down from the visitors center to Moab. I actually asked the ranger if there would be any issue with having a small trailer on it first. She said we were fine…just a dirt road. I’m convinced she’s never been on the switchbacks. Once we got down those it was easy.

 

[Fpolanco]

We came down from the visitors center to Moab. I actually asked the ranger if there would be any issue with having a small trailer on it first. She said we were fine…just a dirt road. I’m convinced she’s never been on the switchbacks. Once we got down those it was easy.

They’d prob also say climbing Everest is just walking up a hill...

 

[WILDHOBO]

They’d prob also say climbing Everest is just walking up a hill...

Maybe.

 

[WILDHOBO]

They’d prob also say climbing Everest is just walking up a hill...

When are you going to Moab?

 

[Fpolanco]

When are you going to Moab?

Tentatively the week of July 17th.

My buddy is hitting the Rubicon trail and I’ll be meeting him in Moab on his way back.

 

[Jobofly]

This thread is super helpful. I am planning this exact trip for later this year. It became my number 1 goal the minute I bought my Mojave. I do have a bunch of questions about where to camp and is tent camping allowed. Also any tips or advice around tent camping in the desert. Thanks.

 

[Mbryson]

Tentatively the week of July 17th.

My buddy is hitting the Rubicon trail and I’ll be meeting him in Moab on his way back.

Prepare to be warm. I'd want to be off the trails and back in my hotel by about 1-2 pm. It's HOT in June-July-August.

 

[Mbryson]

This thread is super helpful. I am planning this exact trip for later this year. It became my number 1 goal the minute I bought my Mojave. I do have a bunch of questions about where to camp and is tent camping allowed. Also any tips or advice around tent camping in the desert. Thanks.

I'm far from a great camper but have camped probably 100 nights in my life. Around Moab proper is being "loved to death" as far as camping. The area is mostly BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land and has been "improved" a lot the past 2 decades. There are free or low fee camp spots in any number of places within 10ish miles of Moab. I don't believe camping is allowed in the national parks except in designated areas. Arches is good sized chunk of ground and is pretty interesting but mostly asphalt roads. Canyonlands is still pretty primitive but still a national park. It's much more remote than Arches and MASSIVE in size.

There are MANY campgrounds in Moab. They are not the cheaest but have full hookups all the way down to tent sites. Some have pools and playgrounds.

Unfortunately the Moab area is becoming very commercialized. It brings a lot of people that REALLY don't understand the desert to a very harsh landscape where plants and animals survive but rarely thrive. It's an awesome landscape but is pretty harsh.

 

[Fpolanco]

Prepare to be warm. I'd want to be off the trails and back in my hotel by about 1-2 pm. It's HOT in June-July-August.

Oh I’m well aware. Making preparations now.

Purchased hotheads liner. Will prob move my fridge from the bed to the back seat. And will keep well hydrated.

Sponsored