Ram'ing around in Moab and Yellowstone

[falfrenzy]

This is a collection of photos from my August 2014 Yellowstone NP and Moab trip. 9 days in duration from Central IL and back. My father and I left with the intentions of heading to Bonneville for the Speed week before going to Moab. Well, it was the first time in 100 years that it was cancelled due to rain. Yes, the salt flats were too wet. Luckily for us, I saw the SCTA post the cancellation up on Twitter while sitting in Omaha, NE having lunch. So after some discussion my father made the suggestion to go to Yellowstone instead. It was a good suggestion. All photos taken with a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini smart phone.

Preparation.

Custom fabrication front winch mount. The power is delivered to front and rear via 00 copper welding cable with quick disconnect twist ends. While in transit I have a ziplock bag taped over them to keep out the road grime and debris

Ole's Steakhouse Paxton, NE. Not too many polar bears in Nebraska

They don't mess around with their snow fences in Wyoming.

I-80 in Wyoming.

Lander, WY

North on Hwy 287 towards Yellowstone

The Grand Teton range is getting closer

Almost to them

There they are. They are quite "Grand" to this flatlander

Panorama:

Tourist hunting would be easy here

That had to be a fun drive from Minnesota

More of Yellowstone

Went into Idaho to get some refreshing spring water

Clean for now.

Went through Montana to get to Idaho (Yellowstone West Gate)

 

[91AzXJ]

Nice pictures, glad you worked out an alternative trip to save the day.

 

[falfrenzy]

Part 2

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone:

Other than Moab photos, this is one of my favorites:

Was about 40 yards off the roadway

Less than 40 yards

Entering Wind River Indian Reservation on Hwy 789

 

[falfrenzy]

Part 3

Still in Wind River Indian Reservation

Boysen Reservoir

Some really "Big Sky" Country here

Approaching the Wyoming Colorado border near Baggs, WY

Approaching Rifle, CO on Hwy 13.

Heading towards Moab on Hwy 128. As a first timer, I highly recommend this approach as it follows the Colorado river. Do it during the day though.

Fisher Towers road

Won't be clean for long

 

[falfrenzy]

Part 4
Climbing up into the La Sal Mountains on Geyser Pass.

Must be mindful of the open range livestock

Looking towards Moab

It gets a little narrow

Lunch

La Sal Pass East to West (I know, backwards)

not much of a shoulder

Steeper than it looks. Put it in 4WL, and let it crawl down.

Still doing good. Notice that I have swapped the Cooper Discovery At3's for BFG M/T's. A second set of tires is always nice

It was quite rainy while I was there. Wait til you see the photos of Onion Creek Road.

Heading to Polar Mesa/Thompson Canyon. Came close to making a fatal error going up Polar Mesa when it was still wet. Would not recommend it to anyone, even with tank treads!

Made it safely off Polar Mesa. Was careening off both sides of the ditches it was so slippery. How we didn't slide off a cliff I don't know. I honestly thought we would have to winch down the Polar Mesa switchbacks. Luckily 4WL and the transmission locked in 1st gear on the way down worked. It was really slow and white knuckle the whole way down.

 

[falfrenzy]

Part 5
These guys were staying at the same hotel. Didn't get a chance to talk to them. I doubt it was Ewan and Charlie for those who get the reference.

Arches National Park

well marked footpath with cairns

Salt Valley Road (did it backwards also, SE to NW) Came up behind a Jeep doing the same thing, LOL

This was a little tight

Got to use 4WL again to climb this boulder (probably didn't need it, but better safe than sorry)

One of only 5 other vehicles we saw on the trails.

Tower Arch

The ever so fragile Crypto

Going out over the rocks. The heavy rains had washed away a lot of the sand making it more challenging.

Took some small damage to my drivers side rocker panel here

Look right behind the mudflap, and you'll see the rocker panel punched in a little.

 

[falfrenzy]

Part 6
Long Canyon Trail (yep backwards again East to West)

The rains did a number on the culverts

Like this culvert, washed downstream

Pucker pass

Found this easier going up honestly

One of my favorite photos. The silence up there was truly deafening. Looking at the Green River. Hey Joe Canyon trail is below along the river.

Rappelleers or climbers have been here

The dual sports were out and about also

I got smart and bought the proper tools for the delicious rainbow trout.

Another view of the La Sal Mountains

As I didn't see a GPS collar on the sheep dog, can someone tell me what those dogs eat? I know the free range sheep graze.

Start of Thompson canyon or End I guess since we were going backwards again.

Did the majority of TC in 2 wheel drive

Do I get a prize for finding ALL of the tumbleweeds? Had to move some to clear a path. Heading to Onion Creek now. Well's guide book rates it an "Easy" trail....

It says "suitable for most passenger cars"

I didn't find that to be the case:

I survived, the truck took another good size hit to the rocker panel under the rear passenger door. Wait to you see the skid plates I fabbed up. Glad I did.

A heavy impact to the skid plate under the transmission (glad there was a good gap), and three heavy impacts to the fuel tank skid plate. These plates were brand new and smooth at the start of this excursion.

 

[falfrenzy]

Part 7

Mineral Springs Point I think

Another great shot of the Green River

On the way to Secret Spire

Rainbow Terrace
Glad I was coming up from the South. Had I been coming from the north, I probably would have nosed into this washout. And then would have needed a crane to get out.

It was a good 8-10 foot drop.

My plan of going around to the left did not work so well... High centered pretty bad

Glad I brought the winch. The front winch mount held up just fine. I would have taken some winching photos, but not dying out in the desert was the principal thought going through my head. it was 95 that day I think.

Would have been a lot of shovel work without a winch.

This is similar to what caused the damage to the right rear rocker panel, a un-forseen drop off. A healthy reminder to always get out and walk it. I turned around.

85 Octane in a Hemi did not work so well in the dunes. Will remember that for next time.

Had some fun no doubt

On the way back in Colorado I believe.

That's the gist of it folks. I took over 800 photos and a good bit of video. I think a GoPro is in my future, the La Sal Pass was quite interesting to say the least and would have liked to get video, but driving took precedent. My father was too busy holding onto whatever he could in the truck, LOL. We met a BLM truck on La Sal Pass, and the female driver was taking a stock (maybe) Chevy 2500 with street tires up the trail. It was a tight squeeze to let her by. My first time in Moab by the way.

 

[PetitFrereArmada]

Wow. Talk about telling a story in pictures.

Great report.

 

[unkamonkey]

Moab is a fun place, Ive driven many of those trails. I'm glad you had a good time. It makes me want to go back.

 

[Bushcoat]

Looks like a great time! And amazing pictures! I love the "basic" approach of your rig, something that can blend in with minor mods and not overly built, new,reliable,good fuel mileage,surely you are able to do more exploring/less wrenching this way.

 

[gregaf3]

Great pictures, thanks for the write up. That was the first time that I have seen anyone with enough room to bring an extra set of wheels. Did you end up throwing the BFG's back on for the drive home?

 

[pmatusov]

An awesome trip! Try a bumper-mounted GoPro set to time lapse next time (just need to get out and clean the lens every now and then).

 

[upndown]

Great trip report as well as photos + the time spent with your Dad...Priceless!
I've been fortunate to have seen those places as well as many more in between. My favorite still is the Tetons, from both sides. Thanks for sharing!

 

[falfrenzy]

Great pictures, thanks for the write up. That was the first time that I have seen anyone with enough room to bring an extra set of wheels. Did you end up throwing the BFG's back on for the drive home?

Yes I put the Cooper Discovery tires back on. My favorite purchase for the whole expedition was my Dewalt 18 V cordless 1/2" impact. I don't know how I have survived this long without one.