Trip Video:
https://youtu.be/Gk8aXxUSrso
Last April I packed my family into the JK and headed for Moab. We booked our campsites and permits 5 months in advance. Our objective, the White Rim road. I now understand why this area is considered the mecca for jeepers as this trip far exceeded my expectations.
We left from Tacoma on a Friday night and made our way to Bend Oregon. Upon arrival purchased and outfitted our new Roof Top Tent from Cascadia Vehicle Tents. Id been drooling over one since the 4x4 show at the Puyallup fair grounds a few months earlier. We departed later that day and started our 2 day journey to MOAB.
I had never traveled this area of the country and was pleasantly surprised at the rolling terrain created by an ancient lake Bonneville. The flood of the lake through Red Rock pass made for outstanding views of the water line still etched into the country side.
Arriving late we decided to snag a camp site off hwy 128 overlooking the Colorado river. While the site had great views the hwy noise just didn't fit the atmosphere.
Bright and early the next morning we started our decent of the Shaffer switch backs. Its an impressive drop into the canyon and one that would normally be an easy trek. However, it snowed the night before and the ground turned into a mud/clay id never experienced before. The type of clay that didn't respect my mud terrain BFGs. We had to pull over and let the ground dry out as even at rest the jeep moved slightly toward the edge. And yes the wife was not amused.
After a bit the mud dried and we spent the next several days venturing through Canyonlands. The road is roughly 100 miles but its slow going and I would not recommend trying it under two days.
Campsites are things of legend here. Sipping coffee and enjoying the massive views never tired. The nights got very cold. Into the 20s. Luckily the RTT had a vestibule. We hooked up the little buddy heater down below and it kept the family nice and warm. Our 6 month old didn't mind one bit.
Takeaways from the trip:
3 days on white rim road is ideal.
If going in early spring use larger propane tank. No one like changing out the bottle at 3am.
Heavier rated coils for the JK. We were just way over weight for the springs. Im going to install OEM 600s.
Dont over book your trails in MOAB. Its just impossible to get them all in. Expect to be back a few times.
The MOAB guide book really is great if you have never been.
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