APTRLTACO
New member
The idea of this trip was first tossed around while playing billiards while I was home from college two years prior. Long story short, after a year of planning, my dad buying his 2013 FJ to replace his Sequoia, modifying the trucks, and a few test runs in the George Washington National Forest, we were ready to go. I hope this post will be able to help others planning a similar trip.
Day 1: Nashville
This stop wasn't so much overland related but I've always wanted to go. We only had one night so we ate at Acme Feed & Seed and then bar hopped from Tootsies to the Tin Roof and ended at The Stage. On our way out of town we pit stopped at Prichard's Distillery. It's worth noting that this trip could have doubled as a distillery/brewery tour.
Day 5: Ouray
This was by far my favorite stop on the trip. We started with Imogene Pass after leaving Ridgway State Park. The Pass was not open but we made it up to the switchbacks before deciding to turn around. I was surprised with how much traffic was on Yankee Boy Basin with the majority being the tour trucks filled with tourist that will stare at you like they've never seen a modified Toyota.
Day 6: Ouray, Silverton, Ophir, Telluride
If I said we had planned this day to go as smoothly as it did I'd be lying. It just sort of happened. We started in the Red Mountain Mining Area and completed both sections of the trail. The first was mainly abandoned mines and the second portion was breathtaking views with an altitude of over 12,104 feet. We then ate in Silverton, took the Ophir Pass to Telluride, and ended the day sitting at Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewery in Ouray. We would have gone to Ouray Brewery for a second time but who closes a bar at 9pm on a Saturday night? Apparently they do.
Day 7: White Rim Trail, Canyonlands National Park
This is where things started to get more interesting. For some reason we were told to check in at the Canyonlands visitor center before getting on the trail even with all our permits printed. This meant we couldn't take Potash road from Moab but the Shafer Switchbacks kept things interesting. Rangers told us the road was washed out and flooding at mile 65 “may be impassible” but to “just wade in and check it out.” We were too determined to get down to Shafer campground to think much about the possible blockage. That night we camped in the quietest site I've ever camped at.
Day 8: White Rim Day 2
I recommend waiting until you get off of a trail to start researching the trails accidents & deaths. I'm also glad I didn't look too much in to Murphy's Hogback. After hours of driving the whole fuel issue started to dawn on us. We brought enough extra fuel for only one vehicle to double back at mile 65 if it was truly impassible. We also underestimated fuel consumption on the trail. The Tacoma weighted down with gear and kept in 4Lo for the majority of the trail was averaging 9.5 mpg according to the scan gauge II.
Murphy's Hogback was much more challenging than we expected. A crash from exactly one-month prior didn't ease our minds either. The Tacoma prefers to be on three wheels when off-road because of the RTT/OME leaf pack combo. We decided to winch the Tacoma down the steepest rutted section to avoid being the next “that guy”. After hours of driving we arrived at our second camp spot on White Rim but the thought of not being able to cross and low fuel kept us going to finish out the trail.
Luckily for us the water was no more than 18” deep and we were able to finish the trail without the use of our spare fuel. I was told later that the riverbed I parked in to check the water depth was actually quick sand.
Day 10: Top of the World
After a day spent in town and a few beers in Moab Brewery we decided to try Top of the World Trail the next morning. This trail gets progressively harder which allows you to find your limit. Unfortunately for me, after spraining my ankle spotting for the FJ at the difficult section I decided to turn back.
We woke up the next morning, loaded the trucks, got flipped off while going the speed limit leaving Moab, took Highway 128 to 70, and began the long drive back. The drive was filled with touring breweries and distilleries and staying with relatives along the way. The round trip total was 4,645 miles.
What I got out of the trip
-I am glad we went to Moab but I could have spent the whole time in Colorado.
-Colorado uses 87 as midgrade gasoline
-The 12-hour drive through Kansas and Missouri was exhausting
-Bring enough fuel for both vehicles to double back on a trail
-We could have been completely self sufficient with a vehicle fridge
Day 1: Nashville
This stop wasn't so much overland related but I've always wanted to go. We only had one night so we ate at Acme Feed & Seed and then bar hopped from Tootsies to the Tin Roof and ended at The Stage. On our way out of town we pit stopped at Prichard's Distillery. It's worth noting that this trip could have doubled as a distillery/brewery tour.
Day 5: Ouray
This was by far my favorite stop on the trip. We started with Imogene Pass after leaving Ridgway State Park. The Pass was not open but we made it up to the switchbacks before deciding to turn around. I was surprised with how much traffic was on Yankee Boy Basin with the majority being the tour trucks filled with tourist that will stare at you like they've never seen a modified Toyota.
Day 6: Ouray, Silverton, Ophir, Telluride
If I said we had planned this day to go as smoothly as it did I'd be lying. It just sort of happened. We started in the Red Mountain Mining Area and completed both sections of the trail. The first was mainly abandoned mines and the second portion was breathtaking views with an altitude of over 12,104 feet. We then ate in Silverton, took the Ophir Pass to Telluride, and ended the day sitting at Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewery in Ouray. We would have gone to Ouray Brewery for a second time but who closes a bar at 9pm on a Saturday night? Apparently they do.
Day 7: White Rim Trail, Canyonlands National Park
This is where things started to get more interesting. For some reason we were told to check in at the Canyonlands visitor center before getting on the trail even with all our permits printed. This meant we couldn't take Potash road from Moab but the Shafer Switchbacks kept things interesting. Rangers told us the road was washed out and flooding at mile 65 “may be impassible” but to “just wade in and check it out.” We were too determined to get down to Shafer campground to think much about the possible blockage. That night we camped in the quietest site I've ever camped at.
Day 8: White Rim Day 2
I recommend waiting until you get off of a trail to start researching the trails accidents & deaths. I'm also glad I didn't look too much in to Murphy's Hogback. After hours of driving the whole fuel issue started to dawn on us. We brought enough extra fuel for only one vehicle to double back at mile 65 if it was truly impassible. We also underestimated fuel consumption on the trail. The Tacoma weighted down with gear and kept in 4Lo for the majority of the trail was averaging 9.5 mpg according to the scan gauge II.
Murphy's Hogback was much more challenging than we expected. A crash from exactly one-month prior didn't ease our minds either. The Tacoma prefers to be on three wheels when off-road because of the RTT/OME leaf pack combo. We decided to winch the Tacoma down the steepest rutted section to avoid being the next “that guy”. After hours of driving we arrived at our second camp spot on White Rim but the thought of not being able to cross and low fuel kept us going to finish out the trail.
Luckily for us the water was no more than 18” deep and we were able to finish the trail without the use of our spare fuel. I was told later that the riverbed I parked in to check the water depth was actually quick sand.
Day 10: Top of the World
After a day spent in town and a few beers in Moab Brewery we decided to try Top of the World Trail the next morning. This trail gets progressively harder which allows you to find your limit. Unfortunately for me, after spraining my ankle spotting for the FJ at the difficult section I decided to turn back.
We woke up the next morning, loaded the trucks, got flipped off while going the speed limit leaving Moab, took Highway 128 to 70, and began the long drive back. The drive was filled with touring breweries and distilleries and staying with relatives along the way. The round trip total was 4,645 miles.
What I got out of the trip
-I am glad we went to Moab but I could have spent the whole time in Colorado.
-Colorado uses 87 as midgrade gasoline
-The 12-hour drive through Kansas and Missouri was exhausting
-Bring enough fuel for both vehicles to double back on a trail
-We could have been completely self sufficient with a vehicle fridge
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