Classicvibe
New member
I dropped this in the expedition planning area as well:
Putting together a relatively informative post here because I think it will take a couple of days to get around to getting the site up. I will continue to update THIS POST with changes until I can get the site live, so please review the "Last Edited" at the bottom to see when changes have taken place. Without further ado...
sol·stice
Syncro Solstice...a Transporter Jamboree
Location: West Moab, Utah
Looking down Long Canyon from a site just down from Pucker Pass, below the eroded area.
Trails Runs: Daily adventures for the kind of exploring that fits you best! Each trail is led by 1 or 2 experienced drivers (one in the front and one in the rear).
There is much more to detail, but this should give us all something to chew on. We expect fees to be very small, and we will begin registration shortly.
Resources
Putting together a relatively informative post here because I think it will take a couple of days to get around to getting the site up. I will continue to update THIS POST with changes until I can get the site live, so please review the "Last Edited" at the bottom to see when changes have taken place. Without further ado...
sol·stice
- /ˈsɒlstɪs, ˈsoʊl-/[sol-stis, sohl-]
1. A highest point or culmination
Syncro Solstice...a Transporter Jamboree
- This weekend event is specifically geared towards both 2wd and 4wd VW vans, and the families that love them. You will find adventures that suit every driving style, life style, age and van capability. We'll chase dinosaurs, pursue geologic wonders, and take our vans to places most have never seen. We'll mountain bike and run rivers, hike and climb and play in the dirt. We'll meet with those wonderful people that make up the community, learn about new systems and gadgets and "how they did it." Within the safety of this supportive community, each of us will find ourselves exploring new boundaries of Transporter life, returning home with our own unique story and success, new friends and knowledge. Details below...
- We would like to give people a travel day (Sunday), so there will be few "official" events that day.
Camping all 3 nights (12, 13, 14).
Full moon weekend!
Come when you can, we will be waiting for you!
Location: West Moab, Utah
- We have chosen an amazing base camp just west of Moab enroute to Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky in an area called "Big Flat" which borders Pucker Pass/Long Canyon on Long Canyon Road.
Directions:
From any direction, you are making your way towards U.S. Route 191 in Utah...
then to the State Route 313 (SR-313) - Dead Horse Point Mesa Scenic Byway.
SR 313 is an access road for both the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. The highway is a toll road in Dead Horse Point State Park. Westbound traffic is charged a state park entrance fee at the park boundary which is beyond our base camp. You will find the the northern entrance of Utah Highway SR 313 (Dead Horse Mesa) Scenic Byway at mile marker 136.8 on US 191, 11 miles north of downtown Moab, Utah or 20 miles south of Exit 180 on I-70 at Crescent Junction.
Coming from the south, south-west or south-east:
You will access U.S. Route 191 via the Navajo Nation in South East Utah via the 160 & 163 from the South or South-west). Take come time to enjoy this area. A sunrise in mittens in unforgettable. For those coming from the south east, you will likely pick up the 191 or the 491.
Coming from the east, west or north
You are just carving your way toward exit 180 to Crescent Junction & Moab on I-70 in Utah.
- About 16.5 miles up the SR 313, you will notice "Long Canyon Road" veering off the the left. Long Canyon Road is a well-groomed dirt/gravel road traveling about 3 miles to the base camp. Base camp is perched atop Pucker Pass, overlooking long canyon, the La Sal Mountains and the Moab Valley.
Site: We have some exposed camping upon the slickrock overlooking the canyon, and some less exposed sand spots. Both offer even terrain where campfires are allowable. This area has no improvements such as tables, shade, shelters or crappers. These are all things we will bring in with us, and things we will take away.
A note on crappers...we believe we will be ordering some "Johnny on the Spots" just to simplify things, to make camp more enjoyable for all. Tell your wives and children there will be quality crappers (if Moab has any to rent)!"
A close-up of our camp spot, the area just above the S-turn (Long Canyon Road then drops into Long Canyon and exits along 279 to Potash/Moab.
http://tinyurl.com/4ne4h3f
A note on hotels...They are totally cool, and may be a great way to get your family to come out with you if this is all new. Town is not far, and there are many things to do. Do not feel like this is a "camp or nothing" event. I would recommend the base camp for all, but for those looking for a daily shower and a quiet bed, please, get yourself a hotel room and we will wee you at the Solstice!
A note on showers...Please note the noted swim holes. There are also some pay showers at various places in Moab, so no worries. We will release more detailed info on this and more soon.
A note on what to bring...List to be released shortly.
A note on access...The drive to base camp is about 40 minutes from town via SR 313. It may be possible to get to town via Long Canyon Road (down), but the trip back up is likely too dangerous due to flooding erosion over the last few years. We will verify as we get closer to the arrival date.
Looking down Long Canyon from a site just down from Pucker Pass, below the eroded area.
Trails Runs: Daily adventures for the kind of exploring that fits you best! Each trail is led by 1 or 2 experienced drivers (one in the front and one in the rear).
- * Scenic Backroads: Routes designed to cover some territory...light duty and big scenery! Dirt/Gravel and light "off road" - 2wd/4wd
* Offroad Xplorations: Focus on getting drivers familiar with off-road fundamentals and van capabilities. See why Moab is famous and improve your skills! - 2wd/4wd
* Obstinate Obstacles: AWD or rear locker needed (clearance helpful) to tackle these famous trails. Up your game on Moab's finest.
* Death Cookies: Pure spectacle. Bring your popcorn and watch the big rigs mash metal. Guaranteed carnage. AWD & Locker necessary.
* Geology Tours and Dino runs - we will venture to those seen and unseen places to marvel at geologic wonders and the prehistoric patchwork that makes Moab so incredible. We will search fossils, petroglyphs and Dino tracks, and walk in the steps of Giants
* Mountain Biking - Pick a trail that suits your style, led by one of our local gurus. You will see some of those rare trails the "in the know" folks will rarely share. you can rent equipment in Moab. All levels, all ages!
* Surf the Giant - Run the Colorado with your group or Solo. We will have a trained guide leading the adventure. You can rent your equipment in Moab. All levels, all ages!
* Swimmin' holes - our favorite go-to spots to cool off!
- Mill Creek North Fork http://www.climb-utah.com/Moab/mill.htm
-- From the town of Moab, go southeast on Mill Creek Dr. (don't take the left fork, which leads to the Slickrock Mountain Bike Trail) and go onto Powerhouse Lane (less than 1 mile from town). Park at the end of this road. The trail leading out of this lot, which is a continuation of the road, leads upstream to the dam (about a 10 minute walk) , where most people swim. For more swimming places, continue on this trail past the dam, hiking upstream to where Mill Creek and its Left Fork come together. There are swimming places up both of these forks, each about .3 miles up. From the lot, there is also a smaller trail that heads downstream, about a 1 minute walk, to a small swimming hole about 5 feet deep with 8 foot and 10 foot jumps from the rocks. Local kids dam the stream here to increase its depth.
- Moab Aquatics Center http://www.moabcity.state.ut.us/residents/FacilityDetail.cfm?mode=summary&id=1149436378328
- Colorado River (at the bridge)
* "Modified," our daily tech courses will distribute that tacit information, from guru you the rest of us.
* Campfires - hot and huge, desert style
* Acoustic Jam - we will spread it thick, so bring something to bang on.
* Dinner - We will serve tin-foil dinner for you hungry and tired folks on your first night in camp. You just get here safe and we'll do the rest! We are considering a Utah-style dutch oven potluck for night 2. Details to come...
8:00-8:45 a.m. - Modified
9:30-12:00 p.m. - Morning Trail Run
- Scenic Backroads
- Offroad Xplorations
- Obstinate Obstacles
- Death Cookies
12:00-1:30 p.m. - Lunch
1:30-4:30 p.m. - Afternoon Delight
- Dino Tracks
- Petroglyphs
- Mtn Biking
- Colorado River Run
- Geology Tours
- More Trail runs
- etc.
4:30-6:15 p.m. - Socials
- Van Visits
- Time in Town
- etc.
6:15-7:00 - Evening Mods
7:00 - Dinner is Served
9:00 - Light up the fire!
There is much more to detail, but this should give us all something to chew on. We expect fees to be very small, and we will begin registration shortly.
Resources
- * Here is a great Canyonlands National Park Map that details the area where we are camping and playing, so you can follow these discussions on trails and geology: http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/app...acode=cany&parkname=Canyonlands National Park
* A little "heresay" on the Mineral Bottom reconstruction: http://worldaccordingtopedro.blogspot.com/2011/01/mineral-bottom-road-update-ii.html
* Mineral Bottom is Looking good-it may just be done it time! - http://matchbin-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/public/sites/269/assets/HZPZ_05_mineral_bottom.jpg
