Utah adventures via highway, dirt roads, slickrock and mud
- Thread starter desertracer79
- Start date
desertracer79
Observer
So we left off last time as we were just arriving at the Sand Flats Recreation Area in Moab. We were able to get a spacious site with a cool view of the Fins n' Things trail.
We did that trail early the next morning. I was surprised by the amount of side by sides on these trails, seems like they outnumbered jeeps almost 2 to 1. This is the steepest climb I have ever done in a jeep. I had it in 4-Lo with both axles locked and it was still super gnarly.
After that trail we headed to Arches NP. There are some off road trails to be had there but we were exhausted from pulling in so late the night before so we just did the major stuff. Wish we would have set aside a full day, there are some awesome spots to explore. Here are the famous delicate arch which graces the Utah license plate and the Window Arch.
The next day we tackled the famous Hell's Revenge Trail. I'll let the photos speak for themselves. No, I did not try Mickey's Hot Tub!
Later that day we explored Dead Horse Point State Park. It's up on the plateau west of town and gives a view of the entire Moab Valley. Great hiking spot.
Our last night in Town we stayed at the Motel 6 and had a nice steak dinner at the Sunset Grill. The next morning our friends had to leave for home so we said our goodbyes and continued South towards Blanding, UT.
Last installment to come soon!
We did that trail early the next morning. I was surprised by the amount of side by sides on these trails, seems like they outnumbered jeeps almost 2 to 1. This is the steepest climb I have ever done in a jeep. I had it in 4-Lo with both axles locked and it was still super gnarly.
After that trail we headed to Arches NP. There are some off road trails to be had there but we were exhausted from pulling in so late the night before so we just did the major stuff. Wish we would have set aside a full day, there are some awesome spots to explore. Here are the famous delicate arch which graces the Utah license plate and the Window Arch.
The next day we tackled the famous Hell's Revenge Trail. I'll let the photos speak for themselves. No, I did not try Mickey's Hot Tub!
Later that day we explored Dead Horse Point State Park. It's up on the plateau west of town and gives a view of the entire Moab Valley. Great hiking spot.
Our last night in Town we stayed at the Motel 6 and had a nice steak dinner at the Sunset Grill. The next morning our friends had to leave for home so we said our goodbyes and continued South towards Blanding, UT.
Last installment to come soon!
desertracer79
Observer
Well yes there is actually, I've just been super lazy. If you're interested I could post the last few pics. In Zion we boarded our dogs at the Doggy Dude Ranch, they were great people. I found the spot we camped in DNF on google earth, it's basically on the map I posted earlier. Here's a trail write up from some other folks, I guess they did it when it was drier: http://www.traildamage.com/trails/report.php?id=1043
Backroadexploration
Observer
Great write up! Looks like you had a really great trip!
desertracer79
Observer
Last installment, only a few months late.
From Moab, Utah we headed South towards Blanding. The plan was to drive a dirt road called Valley of the Gods and up onto a high plateau called the Moki Dugway. The Valley was awesome, there are large rock spires pointing straight up into the sky. From the top of the Plateau you can see for miles out over the valley.
From the top of the Moki Dugway we drove down to a campground called "Goosenecks of the San Juan River" a friend had told me about. It's basically another high plateau about a thousand feet above the San Juan River. You can camp right on the edge!
After a VERY windy night we packed up and headed towards Monument Valley, AZ. It is similiar to Valley of the Gods but the spires are even taller and more impressive. It's located on Navajo Reservation land and costs about 20 bucks to drive the trail but it's totally worth it. On the way we drove on the famous Forrest Gump highway, featured in the movie.
After Monument Valley we headed to a campground just outside of Flagstaff, AZ called Cave Creek Falls. We pulled in late and enjoyed our last night of camping
The next morning we packed up and did a short hike, then piled into the jeep for the long drive home. Overall we had camped ten nights out of fourteen and travelled over two thousand miles, about a third of that off road. Great times!
From Moab, Utah we headed South towards Blanding. The plan was to drive a dirt road called Valley of the Gods and up onto a high plateau called the Moki Dugway. The Valley was awesome, there are large rock spires pointing straight up into the sky. From the top of the Plateau you can see for miles out over the valley.
From the top of the Moki Dugway we drove down to a campground called "Goosenecks of the San Juan River" a friend had told me about. It's basically another high plateau about a thousand feet above the San Juan River. You can camp right on the edge!
After a VERY windy night we packed up and headed towards Monument Valley, AZ. It is similiar to Valley of the Gods but the spires are even taller and more impressive. It's located on Navajo Reservation land and costs about 20 bucks to drive the trail but it's totally worth it. On the way we drove on the famous Forrest Gump highway, featured in the movie.
After Monument Valley we headed to a campground just outside of Flagstaff, AZ called Cave Creek Falls. We pulled in late and enjoyed our last night of camping
The next morning we packed up and did a short hike, then piled into the jeep for the long drive home. Overall we had camped ten nights out of fourteen and travelled over two thousand miles, about a third of that off road. Great times!
Luckytibbs
LuckyTibbs
What a great trip report! Thanks!
JCMatthews
Tour Guide
Great write up the last pics aren't working.