Southern Utah: Moab, The Goosenecks, and Canyonlands NP

[edgear]

We decided to spend Thanksgiving near Moab, doing some mountain biking, hiking, trail runs, and relaxing. On Thursday, we had a delicious potluck meal :chowtime: while we watched some basejumpers doing their thing from a mesa just above our camp. But after making camp & going to sleep the first night near Moab, we found ourselves waking up in Snoab -- about 4" to be exact, and still coming down pretty hard. So we decided to head further south where we would be dry (but not necessarily warmer) - and check out some areas I saw with Mr. Brady, et. al., back in May. Night 2 we spent camping near The Goosenecks of the San Juan River, near Mexican Hat. Kind of like having our own personal Grand Canyon - without all of the tourists. After a quick drive through Valley of the Gods, we headed north through the Manti-Lasal National Forest, NE of Blanding. That pass was a little over 8700', so needless to say, there was still a good amount of snow still on the ground. We camped just north of Beef Basin, so that we would be able to head into Canyonlands National Park early the next morning. After entering the park, we were the only tire tracks in the snow until just before the Silver Stairs. Only a few tricky obstacles in the ice, but overall a wonderful trip, made especially scenic with the fresh snowfall! And an awesome way to spend Thanksgiving with good friends!!

Camps

• Night 1: Behind the Rocks (near Moab). Elevation: 4500'. Low: 28F.
• Night 2: The Goosenecks (near Mexican Hat). Elevation: 5100'. Low: 22F.
• Night 3: Beef Basin (south of Canyonlands NP). Elevation: 6100'. Low: 16F.

Vehicles

• 2004 Dcab Tacoma, White -- Blake & Gretchen
• 2004 Dcab Tacoma, Silver -- Jeremy & Windy
• 2007 Dcab Tacoma, Silver -- Eric & Beth

Eric just bought his Tacoma a few weeks ago, so this was a great way for him to break in the new truck.

I've attached a few photos below -- and there should be more to follow from the others.
:beer::sombrero:

 

[SAR_Squid79]

Did you actually do the trail "Behind the Rocks"? If so - how was it? I chickened out (passed) on that trail when I was in Moab.

 

[BogusBlake]

Did you actually do the trail "Behind the Rocks"? If so - how was it? I chickened out (passed) on that trail when I was in Moab.

No, we just camped in the area. No one without a roll cage belongs on that trail.

Ill post some of our pics tomorrow.

 

[neliconcept]

totally missed you guys, i was in canyonlands when yall were doing this, that must have been the snow that the park ranger warned me about, dont htink it hit the park though

nice pics!!

 

[articulate]

Excellent. I see you got your RTT! Careful . . . they cause babies.

Isn't Goosenecks one sweet place? Personal Grand Canyon all right. Nice trip.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

No one without a roll cage belongs on that trail.

No Kidding!! ...Hense the reason why I took a pass.

Nice pics, BTW - can't wait to see the rest.

 

[Willman]

Excellent. I see you got your RTT! Careful . . . they cause babies.

I will have to tell my wife!......She wants more kids!!!



Love the pictures guys!!! The snow down there makes for some pretty shots!

I love the D-cab trip!!! Way to plan!

 

[Ursidae69]

Great pics!!!! Love the snowy camp pictures.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Stunning pics!

Nice dog. What is it? Does it have some Chow blood in it's ancestry?
The dog will just have to be my Laptop background pic till further notice

 

[blupaddler]

Great pics!
Congrats on the tent too! Now the important question...Did Carter sleep with you guys in the tent or the truck?

 

[kcowyo]

I'd love to see that area under a blanket of snow, looks awesome.

Beef Basin and Goosenecks is good stuff. Snoab? :xxrotflma

 

[Nuclear Redneck]

How did the RTT do in the snow? Any tips you'd care to share? I'll be up that way in a week or so.

Thanks,

 

[Overland Hadley]

Good fun in the snow!

Look forward to seeing more photos.

 

[Mlachica]

Wow, beautiful. I need to go there next year.

 

[edgear]

Nice dog. What is it? Does it have some Chow blood in it's ancestry?
The dog will just have to be my Laptop background pic till further notice

We think he has some Chow, Akita, and German Shepherd. I'll be sure to let him know that he's now internationally renowned!

Congrats on the tent too! Now the important question...Did Carter sleep with you guys in the tent or the truck?

He slept up in the tent with us. Although, he hasn't learned to climb the ladder yet -- I have to carry him up & down. Maybe I'll try fabbing up some sort of doggy ramp.

How did the RTT do in the snow? Any tips you'd care to share? I'll be up that way in a week or so.

It performed wonderfully. We just tried to knock as much snow off the top before folding it up to move camp. After hearing Scott, Chris & Pasquale report no failures whatsoever on the Eezi-Awn tents during the Arctic Ocean trip (even in -50ºF), I was sold. Just make sure you have some warm mummy-bags to handle the cold. And throw a waterbottle inside your sleeping bag as not to have frozen water in the morning. And frozen water meant no coffee first thing in the morning.
:REOutCampFire03: