Moab FSJ's 2007

[BRUTUS]

I wanted to start a thread for all FSJ'ers that want to go to Moab in 2007. It will be my first time so feel free to make suggestions on campsites, trail runs, dates, etc.

10/22/06 UPDATE: It is time for an executive decision, show up April 18th, wheel April 19-22, 2007 depending on when you have to leave.
1. Who is definately going to be there?
2. Camping plans? Tent, KOA, Hotel
3. Should we have a list of trails that we want to do or should we just wing it when we get there? Post up the trails that you want to do.


10/25/06 UPDATE: I am going to try and keep track of things on this post much like Flint does with the KOA image.

[fsj1978]

The Wife and I have never been to Moab, how would a slightly lifted (about 1" or so in front and 3" in back) WT on 35s with a rear locker do out there?

[BRUTUS]

Originally Posted by fsj1978

The Wife and I have never been to Moab, how would a slightly lifted (about 1" or so in front and 3" in back) WT on 35s with a rear locker do out there?

Kennyh would no better than I would because he has taken a STOCK '74 wag (only overload springs added) out there last year and only has a couple of body dings as a result. 30" tires, no locker... good to go. I would think you would do just fine.

[youngjeeper]

Pretty much any time is good for me, minus December. As long as I have enough money for fuel at the time I'm game. I don't know about any campsites, runs, etc. Although I do have a map from the forest service of all the ORV trails in my area if you're interested.

[Big Blue]

I would definetely go. What time were you thinking about? March-May is usually a good time as its not too hot not too cold. As far as camping goes, KOA is really nice if your not wanting to totally rough it. They have excellent facilities (showers and bathrooms), prices arent too bad especially for what you get, and are only a few miles outside of downtown Moab. KOA is the only place i have ever camped at though in Moab though so i couldnt tell ya much about other places.
As for having a basically stock rig on 35's and a locker, you can run MANY trails out there without much of a problem. Ive run Hells Revenge with a 4 inch lift and 31's with no lockers.

[shimniok]

I'm going a week after EJS whenever that works out this year (anyone know)? The weather will still be good but traffic on the trails is light. Hope others can join me.

If there is enough interest, we can all meet at the same time, but run trails in 2 groups, hardcore & normal, meet back for dinner and/or in camp.

Stock FSJ will do a lot of neat trails. There are many trails for many skill levels and Jeep levels.

I've been a half dozen times since 99, it's a good time. Happy to help with suggestions. Take a look at traildamage.com, it should have some moab trails. 4x4now.com should have a good list of trails.

Michael

[shimniok]

PS: lots of good camping from wild to civilized...

[kennyh]

I think a week or two after the EJS would be best. Easter is April 8, 2007 so I assume the EJS will be ending that day. Middle of April would be nice. This year it was in the 80's during EJS. Summer is pretty hot out there. I did Fins & Things, Hell's Revenge and most of Kane Creek Canyon (too much traffic on that trail, had to turn back.) Better-than-stock clearance is very helpful as is a locker. Also, someone with a winch should be along, and you may make good use of the handy-man jack too. My '74 Wag is basically stock, open diffs, add-a-leaves bring the sagging springs to barely over stock height, and my E-lock wasn't working, but I didn't have much trouble. Scenery is spectacular and that slickrock lets you climb steeper stuff than you thought possible. It's pretty cool easing up a steep rock and hearing the tires chirp a little. I was gonna try Poison Spider but being alone, the first obstacle was too intimidating. With a group I think I'd try it. Should be fun!

[kennyh]

There I was with my reply window open, researching some trails and Easter '07 dates, and Shimniok has posted twice already. He sure is quicker at this internet stuff than he is at supplying air to his ARBs. That week sounds great to me, Michael.

[fsj1978]

Mid April huh? I wonder if I'll have our rig in one piece? If so, and finances permitting, we may just drag our little pop up out there and spend a few days.

[Ronson]

I think there is a huge car show the week after EJS that books up a lot of places. My dad used to go that week every year with guys from the JU site(Jeeps Unlimited). It can still be warm that time of year, but the town is kind of relaxed and winding down after the big mess...uh... I mean EJS! If you have never been, you should try to at least show up on Sunday to see it for yourself. I went twice and didn't even wheel the second time. We just sat on the main drag and watched for hours. We were waiting in line at Wendys for about an hour!

[BRUTUS]

Well, based on the Red Rock 4-wheelers website, EJS 2006 was held 8 April 2006 through 16 April 2006 with the Easter holiday falling on 16 April.

By that logic... with Easter falling on 8 April 2007, I would assume that EJS 2007 to go from 3 March 2007 through 8 April 2007. So by that schedule... should we plan on everyone showing up on 9 April 2007 and we will wheel up to saturday or sunday depending on when everyone needs to leave for home? Does that work?

[fulsizjeep]

see: http://www.moab-utah.com/

Moab Easter Jeep Safari, March 31 - April 6, 2007

Moab Car Show April 26, 27, 28, 29, 2007

So we should have the trails pretty much to ourselves for weekend of April 12-15 or 19-22, 2007 for a MOAB FSJ invasion. The last couple years, we have been showing up on Wednesday afternoon/evening or early Thursday morning and wheel trails on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with drive home on Sunday.

Good wilderness type camping at Sand Flats Recreational Area (BLM) which has a fee and no Joe to come around and harrass you. If you camp at Sand Flats there is no additional access fee to get to Porcupine, Fins & Things, Hells Revenge trails. This is where I plan to camp and may just bring a pop-up camper this time.
http://www.grandcountyutah.net/sandflats/

[Ronson]

Whoops! Thats right! I went back for the car show a couple weeks later. That was in 02'. I was trying to stay the whole time to save 1000mi trip, but didn't have the time off! My bad...

[shimniok]

The car show isn't scheduled around Easter like EJS so you have to be careful which weekend you pick after EJS.

I get pretty excited about Moab so sorry for the long post.

This year we went we coincided with the car show which was kind of cool as far as looking at the cars, but I'd rather have the place to ourselves.

As for hotels, when we went a couple years ago it was super cheap at Bighorn Lodge which is actually a really nice hotel.

As I mentioned there are a lot of 2-rated (out of 5) trails to pick from if you're stock. A stock FSJ can do 3-rated, and maybe a 3-1/2 if the driver is good and with spotting. A little lift and 31's will get you into 3-1/2 rated trails no problem, maybe even 4's.

I could go with either weekend. Wed/Thu, head back Sun works out real well. Plenty of time for trails to make the drive out worth it.

For the 4-rated trails and up I agree with Ken --- you want to go with some experienced folk with all the recovery, spare, and repair gear. You'll need to be running 33's, 4" lift, and a rear locker at a minimum. We've seen our good share of carnage and malfunctions on Poison Spider / Golden Spike / Gold Bar Rim -- leaking gas tank, malfunctioning carb, broken ujoints, pretzled, driveshaft, popped tire bead, etc.

Michael

[BRUTUS]

Brutus is gettin ready for Moab as we speak....

[fulsizjeep]

those tires appear to be over inflated Jason... teehee...

Really, Brutus is starting to look serious for the likes of Moab...

[BRUTUS]

1. I am definately going to be there April 18th and leaving on April 22, 2007
2. I am going to tent camp as much as possible.
3. I want to just wing it because I have only been through Moab two times... going to Lake Powell and returning from Lake Powell.

[shimniok]

Originally Posted by BRUTUS

10/22/06 UPDATE: It is time for an executive decision, show up April 18th, wheel April 19-22, 2007 depending on when you have to leave.

1. Who is definately going to be there?
2. What are your camping plans? Tent, KOA, Hotel
3. Should we have a list of trails that we want to do or should we just wing it when we get there? Post up the trails that you want to do.

1. Me.
2. May do the camp thing again, but maybe I can convince folks to camp nearer to Poison Spider the night before we run it Also, Sand Flats was neat but was windy/sandy... there are campsites along the river on 128 that are nice which I would recommend. I'd also be game for camping near Cane Creek as it seems scenic & secluded
3. Let's at least get an idea of what people want to run. I do want to run Poison Spider/Golden Spike/Gold Bar Rim again. Beyond that I prefer any trail I haven't run that is rated 4 or less.

I will see about setting up a Moab area if Ouray already has one.

Michael

[BRUTUS]

Thanks for making it sticky Michael.

I was just suggesting having its own area like "ouray" and "ECI" so we could post picture threads when we get back... have polls for trail runs and the like. Maybe it becomes as big of an event as Ouray or ECI. Who knows?

I am really down for any trails because I have never wheel'd there. So anything 4 or less works for me. Looks like most trails are 4 and under... http://www.4x4now.com/mu4wd.htm

Anyone else?