Friends and Family in Moab March 2010

[Moody]

My very good friend Jason and his super-hip wife Marci are due to have their first baby next month and as a result, Jason thinks his outdoor life will effectively come to an abrupt end. Jason put together a little friends and family trip to Moab to explore and put some miles under his newly acquired and modified 4th gen. 4 runner. To put it simply, we were going to camp out in Moab and go 'four-wheeling'. After long discussion around the campfire, I hope that we have helped him to realize that his life is really just beginning with the addition of their little girl.

I was accompanied by my father, John, brother Rick, son, Zander, and a longtime friend Clair. We left in the midst of one of the largest snowstorms of the season, which turned many back. Although it was snowy in Salt Lake, it was nice and pleasant in Moab with the only weather we encountered was packing up Sunday morning.

Setting up camp:

The lineup for Hells Revenge:

Hells:

 

[Moody]

It had been quite some time since I had done any formal 'four wheeling' and it was honestly quite nice. Despite the poor weather up north, it was sunny and relatively warm in Moab.
More Hells Revenge:

Between a rock and a hard place, Hells Gate:

 

[Moody]

Back at camp:

 

[Willman]

Nice trip Moody!

I bet having that 4runner and 100 there was cool to see how they do side by side!

Wish i would have made it!

Looks fun as always!

 

[Moody]

The following morning, after eating a stellar breakfast of eggs, sausage, cilantro, and salsa wrapped in a tortilla.....we trekked down to Canyonlands to drive the Elephant Hill, only to be told it was closed, along with all but one of the 4wd roads in the Needles District.


Not to be turned away, Jason asked if we could at least go see if we could make it. The rangers radioed the field and they said they would get back with us within the hour. We settled into the parking lot for some lunch, and sure enough, they opened it up for us.

We were also lucky enough to be joined with Brian and Spencer who came down Friday afternoon.

 

[Scott Brady]

Nice group of Toyotas

I love this shot!

 

[keithro]

I must have driven right past those markings when we did the trail....do you have a GPS way point for those? It looks like it is somewhere along the long, flat sandy stretch.

 

[mph]

Nice Report...Looks nice! So, Rodger, how did you like the 4runner?

 

[Cabrito]

Great shots. Thanks.

 

[canadianjk]

Wow, breath taking photos, thanks a million for sharing.

 

[KSJeep]

Nice trip guys.

 

[Moody]

Nice trip Moody!

I bet having that 4runner and 100 there was cool to see how they do side by side!

Wish i would have made it!

Looks fun as always!

They both have their advantages...The 4runner is certainly more nimble.
I hope the Willman Clan comes to Cedar Mesa with us (hint, hint)

Nice group of Toyotas

I love this shot!

The trail gods were certainly with us

I must have driven right past those markings when we did the trail....do you have a GPS way point for those? It looks like it is somewhere along the long, flat sandy stretch.

Just before the set that is on the wall where everyone is standing looking at the handprints. I don't really use a GPS....but I could show you on a map.

Nice Report...Looks nice! So, Rodger, how did you like the 4runner?

I love the 4runner. Power is excellent, off road it is not geared as low as I would like, but it just simply works. We decided to hold off for a little while before we decide on any changes. In fact, I bought a Yakima Skybox Pro 16s to mount on the roof of the IS for the family car trips. Should help out at least a little.

 

[Moody]

More Canyonlands/Needles District/Elephant Hill:

Testing out the welding job on the new sliders:

The Joint Trail...a nice short hike into some cool slots:

The Silver Stairs:

 

[Moody]

A few more random shots...

Joint Trail:

 

[Moody]

Sunset coming out of Elephant Hill:

Warm and content: