Return to Moab (and the west) - itinerary suggestions?

[ChrisNLA]

Umm, I think you need to change that. I'm not so sure that works with my schedule.

Welp. Guess we'll all have to plan another westward trip. You wont have to pull my leg too hard.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Welp. Guess we'll all have to plan another westward trip. You wont have to pull my leg too hard.

Ozark Overland Adventures just mapped a route called Moab Adventure Trail a couple months ago. Pretty sure the file is available on YT if you’re interested. 5 sections with a couple of them that looked fairly calm. You said you’re taking family with you for the experience so that may be doable. Wheel for a day then back to the hotel. Most of it is in outlying areas around Moab. Not in the “popular” sections.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Ozark Overland Adventures just mapped a route called Moab Adventure Trail a couple months ago. Pretty sure the file is available on YT if you’re interested. 5 sections with a couple of them that looked fairly calm. You said you’re taking family with you for the experience so that may be doable. Wheel for a day then back to the hotel. Most of it is in outlying areas around Moab. Not in the “popular” sections.

I will check it out (well - depending on what pay wall he may have it behind). Im a relatively experienced wheeler but my Gladiator just isnt as capable (without damage and struggle) as my JK was. My mother has never been offroading anywhere other than mudholes and slick rock will probably have her properly shitting her drawers - even in a 'stock' Gladiator.

 

[Orange01z28]

Edit: 1/13, any opinions on a spring visit vs a fall visit?

What is the best time frame in the fall? We always traveled out west in April before but there is absolutely no reason why I still have to do so.

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So, back in 2019 and 2020 we went to Moab the week after EJS. At the time, I had my 2016 two door (MC 2.5" lift on 33s, and every bit of under armor you could buy), and I ran Elephant Hill, Poison Spider, Steel Bender, Top of the World, Fins & Things, Hells Revenge, Metal Masher, Long Canyon, and part of Chickens Corner.

Easter of 2021 we went to Arizona (Sedona, Jerome, Peach Springs). Did stuff like Crown King, Broken Arrow, Schnebly Hill, etc.

In 2022 I bought my Gladiator and we went to Merus (Palo Duro - west Texas) for Easter 2023.

Well, it's been a couple years, and I am starting to itch for a trip out west again. However, I'm not sure I can talk my old crew into this trip as I can't really afford / don't want to build this truck out to be as capable as their rigs, or even my old two door, was. So - this is going to be a more laid back trip, and I think I want to take my mom to see the area for the first time. She isn't getting younger. She saw some things in Colorado 20+ years ago, but as you guys know - Moab (Utah and AZ in general) is a different world from the Rockies.

So - thinking about the week after EJS 2026 as that seems to be tradition for me.

My tentative idea (no particular order).
- Moab to Potash Rd, to Shafer switch backs into Canyon Lands - if time allows come back via a visit to Dead Horse State Park and take Long Canyon back to Moab.
- Onion Creek (possibly all the way to / through La Sal pass and back into Moab)
- Fins & Things / easy day around town.
- Chickens Corner (but all the way down to Fielder Natural Arch / Lockhart Basin Rd). Last time we turned around just past Hurrah Pass.
- Gemini Bridges / Gemini Bridges Rd
- Arches NP (depart via Willow Springs Rd or whatever the trail was that leads in and out aside from main entrance) - though buying

I will have 5 to 6 full days in the area, plus the afternoon that I arrive, if I plan the same as I did 2019 and 2020.

Open to suggestions of things to see or do (doesn't have to be ALL off roading). That someone with wheeling experience can comfortably to in my truck - a Gladiator Sport/Max Tow with a 1.5" level and 33s. I may add diff covers and an engine/trans skid as I scraped the front axle and other items some at Merus. I have a hitch skid from my previous Jeep and I have bed corner sliders already.

Also open to suggestions in southern / southwestern CO from Walsenberg to Cortez along US 160, and if Monument Valley is worth the detour I am happy to go that direction to at some point.

My current ride as it sits:

My old ride at Top of the World, 2019.

It's not a hard trail, but I would get two nights on the White Rim if you could. Most awesome/beautiful trail there is

 

[ChrisNLA]

It's not a hard trail, but I would get two nights on the White Rim if you could. Most awesome/beautiful trail there is

On a future trip I'd definitely like to do this - come back to the general area and tent camp each night.

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