We are making some big Changes to Cruise Moab 2010
Cruise Moab - Toyota 4x4 event in Moab, UT - This is still a work in process, registration will open Jan 15th. There are links on the page that describe the changes and provide cost comparisons. I also believe that we are going to make a small change to the listed trails.
A lot of you are long time Cruise Moab attendees. More importantly, a lot of you are good friends of many of us in Rising Sun. We wanted to give you a heads up on some major changes we are implementing for Cruise Moab 2010.
We feel Cruise Moab is one of the best events in the TLCA, and we want to try something different to see if we can make it even better. Change this major is scary and exciting at the same time.
For years we have been looking for alternatives to Slickrock and the BAR-M. A few years ago we tried Spanish Trail Campgrounds and learned a lot about Bi-polar disorder.
Slickrock Campground is the #1 item about which we receive complaints when we do surveys after Cruise Moab events. (The #2 is the food at the Bar M). Complaints include:
Cotton from cottonwood trees
Old, icky bathrooms
No central gathering place -- the event feels more segregated and cliquish than other TLCA events (to some people)
Noisy
Ugly, unpleasant place to stay when you're in one of the most beautiful areas in the world
There is an event called the "24 Hours of Moab" that is a 24-consecutive-hour mountain bike race in an area south of Moab. The HQ for the event is the Behind The Rocks campground. They have 4,000 people camping in the area during the event. We made contact with the organizers of this event, and they shared all their information with us concerning vendors and permits. However, the issue with using the same area is that the Utah State Land Trust isn't being very optimistic about granting us a permit for a CM event.
This led to a suggestion by a lady from the Moab Chamber of Commerce. "How about Area BFE? They have had large events out there."
Area BFE is a 4WD area south of Moab that was founded about 5 years ago. The original plan was to buy the land on which the Upper Helldarado trail is on, since the adjacent land had been purchased by a couple who had closed Lower Helldarado trail after purchasing it. Six guys bought the land, which is about 360 acres. Since then, they have opened a bunch of trails on the land, including both moderate and hard core trails.
The area is big and has plenty of space for camping. In fact, there is an annual multi-day concert that has 4,000 people camping there every year.
Four of the Cruise Moab committee members went to explore this area: They actually camped there Sunday night. They met one of the owners there on Monday morning (Chris) and toured the property. He showed us the trail system and the big open area that would be our "event central" area. It includes a big fire ring where we could have a community bonfire every night! Area BFE is super friendly to four wheelers, since that's why they were founded in the first place. Chris suggested we could have fireworks if we wanted!
There are no facilities on the land, so just like the "24 Hours of Moab" we would bring in what we need. We have quotes for portable showers , portable toilets, potable water, generators, lights, and more. Looking at the links about these facilities amazes me. These are much nicer than Slickrock and come in powered trucks and would be cleaned regularly.
It would be a lot of fun. We would have exclusive use of Area BFE for the week of Cruise Moab. Not only would we run our usual selection of trails in the Moab area, but you could check out the trails in Area BFE, or just watch some of the hard core guys bash their buggies.
The area is beautiful. Camping in the desert should be wonderful and memorable. It would be a great place for everyone to come together and have a spectacular week. Only those registered to the event would be camping at area BFE.
I think this is a GREAT change. Area BFE is a blast to wheel, and primitive camping of sorts makes the people at the event more comfortable to roam around and meet new folks. Now we can have a dinner and raffle under the stars and not have to worry about driving back to camp.
This location change will make a top notch event even better !
There are some cool runs in BFE that could be added to your list.
The Best part of the SlickRock campground experience is all the cruisers and cruiser people being together....great way to meet people and "kick tires"/learn about other peoples approach to outfitting their rigs. (or: comradery)
The worst part is its less than "outdoorsy" aesthetic. Seems like the direction being explored/taken is just what the doctor ordered.
Love area BFE, Fyi, that red dry powder dirt that there turns to a really nasty staining, sticky clay in the rain that may or may not show up that time of year.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skillet
Maybe I am just spotting...
This message is hidden because toy4xfun is on your ignore list.
I am glad to see change within such a great event! CM10 should be the best yet!
Having a communal fire every night is awesome it will really bring folks together and make for some lasting memories. Also having a location that 'speaks' off road is great instead of you can't do this or that or we don't like your kind!
Kudos to Rising Sun!
__________________ TLCA#14565
62 FJ45 SWB H55 Locked etc.., 04 Lexus RX330 OME lift, BFG A/T's, Drag Wheels, 79 FJ43 stock, 83 Troopy RHD Lifted, RTT, A/C!
If it can't be grown it's gotta be mined
The problem is the weather really does suck up there more often than not... That is my only concern. Snow, etc...
Quote:
Very cool Ken. I am part of the music festival there every year and can put you in touch with any of the head people if you would like. I absolutely love it up there particularly when the weather is good. I have been there during a full moon and it was amazing, almost like being on Mars... But that event is at least three weeks after Cruise Moab and I will say that 2 out of the 3 times even that far after CM the weather has been good or great in Moab but just awful up there, mostly because it's just barely south east from the La Sals so all of the crap that blows through them then hits this area.
Otherwise the terrain and the openness and slickrock and all of the awesome campsites and the views would make it unreal. It would also give a whole new flavor to CM that I think I would really dig. But it is a big gamble though I must say. We've been rained and snowed on, this year we even had 6" deep flash flood go through our campsite but it was a pretty extreme flood. If you search Moab floods here and on ih8mud you'll see about it.
Also it is about a good 15-20 minutes south of town so that will change things as well. There is also limited RV parking up at the entrance so it would be a walk for any of those people to come over to where we would all camp. I have a feeling rigs would be running through the evening with all sorts of fun stuff to watch though which would also be entertaining. If it weren't for the potential weather I would say I'm 100% for it..
And here is the response I gave you on Expo Portal
Quote:
Originally Posted by Romer
Thanks Andre
RV's can make it up past the entrance and into the area
We will have a huge tent setip for the 350-400 people dinner that will be up all week with generators to give folks a place to hange out. The only variable is the weather, but that would be true anywhere.
should be a lot of fun, and add a TON of options for stuff to do...a central area would be nice too, I went in '07 and separated and cliquish would be my description of the campground...but I also stayed in a hotel, so I wasn't around the campground enough to really know. Having a central area would be nice to be able to hang out with people you meet on the trail.
This sounds good to me, I have to say I hate slickrock campground. No soap in the bathrooms, dirty facilities, and lots of cotton. Of course I may be a little biased because I caught the swine flu at the last Cruise Moab! Yes, I brought my own soap, but did everyone else? Lots of germs floating around there (yes, I am a germaphobe).
My only question about the new direction would be the facilities. This is a family event for us so keeping the wifey happy is #1 on the list (as that makes the rest of the trip great). It sounds like the portable facilities will be nicer, will they be as abundant as slickrock? Not that slickrock has tons of potties, but 30 minutes before a run in the morning the restrooms are packed.
We also did CM with a little one last year which made us run a little late, BAR M was okay, but by the time we got there for dinner there were no seats left.
__________________ Character is what you are in the dark
'88 fj62 (the perfect blend of a pig and a ) ARB,OME heavies, skinny 33's, and locked
'68 fj40
'73 fj55 (gone the way of all the earth )
Yeah, but can BFE match Slickrock's awesome pool/ hotub ? I think a new camp area would be a welcomed change, mainly cuz it'd offer more diverse trails. A central firepit would make for easier conversation & comraderie. I'll have to make another trip out there soon
Romer
2004 Toyota Land Cruiser
woody
2012 Kawasaki Teryx4
RockCrawler RZR
Hants
Trapper50cal
The 40
The 40
Urban Assault Vehicle
Conestoga
Can't Wait. 
Bullwinkle
) 
? I think a new camp area would be a welcomed change, mainly cuz it'd offer more diverse trails. A central firepit would make for easier conversation & comraderie. I'll have to make another trip out there soon 
Linear Mode
