Looking at a quick recce trip this weekend in Moab, anyone around?

[devinsixtyseven]

That's January 12-14 btw. Just looking to get out of the "Denver Zoo" for a weekend...after last weekend and this morning, I gotta get away from this gong show.

Anyone around? We're thinking about running down to Cathedral Butte for a look-see in to the Salt Creek wash, or maybe just staying north and poking around the easy trails in the area, do some sightseeing.

This is not a 4WD trip...just goofing around and getting the !@#$ away from Denver (and Summit County) for a weekend...we're probably bringing snowshoes and xc skis, and staying in Moab, and just relaxing.

...or, maybe if anyone is in the area and just wants to grab a brew and a bite with us or something, we'll be there.

-Sean

 

[bigreen505]

Sorry, I'm in Phoenix for a regatta through the 15th.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

the weekend was great...this can be moved to "completed", I'll post pics and a trip report later on.

It turned in to a 4WD exploration trip with some photography. We did the following trails/features/hikes:

Dellenbaugh Tunnel
Secret Spire
Balcony Arch
Picture Frame Arch
Pritchett Arch
Salt Valley via Klondike Bluffs

There was a significant amount of damage to the trails from all the rain in the fall...several of the lower sections on Klondike were in bad shape, but passable. The spur to Salt Valley had also taken runoff damage, and the Salt Valley road north from the Klondike Bluffs spur was crossed by numerous wheel-sized ruts. People had obviously been going around the ruts vs just driving through them...the road could use a few culverts, a grader, a sign stating travel is only recommended for high-clearance 4WD vehicles, or closure until the road is cleaned up, because otherwise I personally don't think people will stop making new roads upslope of the drainage ruts.

Secret Spire and Dellenbaugh Tunnel made for some good photography and short hiking, with a couple fun trails to each feature.

The "easier" road to Pritchett Arch is borderline "Difficult" due to a couple great shelf sections full of boulders. The "harder" road to Pritchett Arch is Pritchett Canyon, which is easily the most difficult trail in the Moab area. We drove up to the last set of obstacles, they're impressive.

More later...

-Sean

 

[devinsixtyseven]

Bump for another weekend playing in Moab, Feb 10-11 if anyone is around. Looking at a similar trip as last time, but with more hiking or biking than driving.

 

[Pskhaat]

We may be passing through this weekend. We may try and make a quick sand dune trip south of town on 191 snow permitting. We'll be quick through the area and desperately need to stop for some wine in GJT.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

lol...we keep looking at the wineries out there, haven't dropped in yet. sounds like they're worth a trip.

We're not sure if we're riding, hiking, or wheeling yet...depends if we're meeting people (probably wheeling to a hiking trail or hiking in ANP) or on our own (hiking in ANP or mtb wherever).

Brewery's back open anyway...

 

[Pskhaat]

GJT has actually my favorite winery in the whole world. No kidding. Odd that it's there, but it's the Grande River Vineyards. http://www.granderiverwines.com/ I'm no wino and personally dislike more than most many Californian wines and prefer Italian to French wines, so my taste may be questionable, but I do recommend a stop in.

And if you like a touch of literal-old-school, the Rocky Mountain Meadery produces some good mead. http://www.rocky-mountain-meadery.com

 

[devinsixtyseven]

WRT is open from Potash Road (yuck) to Mineral Bottom. We're thinking of doing a bit of hiking, and Syncline/Upheaval Dome is very close to Mineral Bottom. Gotta talk to the girl tho first . It's a ten mile loop hike. Fort Ruin is close by as well, and it would be interesting to see some of the stuff off the beaten path we'll be traveling in September.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

Bump to the top for another weekend in the desert . We'll be mountain biking Saturday if anyone's around.

...pics from last weekend when I get a chance...got some great ones, apparently (Katie has the disc ).