ATRAC on Golden Spike - what do you think?
- Thread starter Hayes
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Did it 3 times with a 100 locked front and rear. It's a beat down for a 100, mostly dropping the rear off ledges all day. I think you may need a tug up a couple obstacles with only ATRAC. Doable? Likely. Will you need some assistance? Likely.
I watch an A-Trac only equipped 100 on 33's do Hole in the Rock Trail, Spike should be no problem. One good climb at the end that could be exciting but agree doable.
I'm curious about the other Moab trails that are doable in a 100 without heavy mods. I sold a '13 wrangler that had very mild build that would do anything and although I'm not into crawling am curious about what I can do in my '07 LX with 33s. As has been previously stated I'm sure the tail end and wider width will cause most trouble and I've already tagged the pass front fender parking in the garage while getting used to its size.
Trails I'm interested in:
Fins and Things
Hells Revenge
Poison Spider Mesa
Kane Creek
Elephant Hill
3D
Metal Masher
???
Trails I'm interested in:
Fins and Things
Hells Revenge
Poison Spider Mesa
Kane Creek
Elephant Hill
3D
Metal Masher
???
We ran Fins and Things a couple of weeks ago, and had zero issues. We were going to run Hell's Revenge, but didn't want to tackle the gate without having another rig with us.
I'm not sure of what the rating system is supposed to be in Moab, but what was described to us as a "moderately difficult" trail with lockers suggested, turned out to be something I could drive in a subaru. Perhaps I'm a bit spoiled in regards to some seriously great and difficult wheeling locally, but Moab is no longer on my destination list.
FWIW The gate is optional
I figured that in one of those "oh s***, we totally could have done that moments", but having not slept in over 30 hours as we were driving through to HIH5 I wasn't thinking straight at the time.
- Thread starter
- #10
I don't think you should judge Moab based on Fins and Things. There are a lot of way more difficult trails.
To OP, I would not personally tackle Spike with just Atrac. If you did make sure you have another vehicle with you.
There is so much traction in Moab that it's probably the easiest and most likely place to blow the front ring and pinion. Especially on trails like Spike where you'll have the front wheels off the ground a few times.
My wife drives Fins, unlocked with our kids in the back without issues. Spike is way different than Fins just because of the ledges and a few of the climbs. Even the Gold Bar rock has gotten pretty difficult. Going down, I watched @bluecruiser lawn dart his 80 on 37's and tube bumper. I decided to take a different line. Going back up was interesting.
It's hard to compare a 13' Wrangler JK with a 07' Lexus. A mildly built Jeep Wrangler with lockers will wheel circles around the Lexus. Especially in Moab. IMO, Poison Spider is the perfect trail for a 100. It's difficult enough to be fun, can be done in just a few hours, and has perfect Moab scenery.
@bluecruiser and that non-blue 100 that he had..... and my son riding shotgun.
My wife drives Fins, unlocked with our kids in the back without issues. Spike is way different than Fins just because of the ledges and a few of the climbs. Even the Gold Bar rock has gotten pretty difficult. Going down, I watched @bluecruiser lawn dart his 80 on 37's and tube bumper. I decided to take a different line. Going back up was interesting.
It's hard to compare a 13' Wrangler JK with a 07' Lexus. A mildly built Jeep Wrangler with lockers will wheel circles around the Lexus. Especially in Moab. IMO, Poison Spider is the perfect trail for a 100. It's difficult enough to be fun, can be done in just a few hours, and has perfect Moab scenery.
@bluecruiser and that non-blue 100 that he had..... and my son riding shotgun.
- Thread starter
- #13
I appreciate the informed feedback on Golden Spike. I'm going to do a little more web-surfing for details and photos of specific mandatory obstacles. If you have anything to share, please do (other than the Crack, seen that plenty). If I go it will be this weekend, with a few other rigs.
Regarding @paflytyer 's assessment of Gold Bar, I ran it a couple months ago, and had no problems whatsoever. Took a line to the side on the big obstacle, rather than attacking the wall head-on, and walked right up it.
Regarding @paflytyer 's assessment of Gold Bar, I ran it a couple months ago, and had no problems whatsoever. Took a line to the side on the big obstacle, rather than attacking the wall head-on, and walked right up it.
You're much better than I am, so that makes sense.
There's more to the 9 hour run than the one obstacle on Gold Bar. I was just pointing out that what you find on the internet or the 2 or 3 folks in the 100 section that have done that entire route may not be indicative of the route's current condition. I'm saying you can do it. I don't even think you'll need assistance over anything. Smart lines is all you need.It's Moab, obstacles change weekly depending on who has been there. Gold Bar used to be just a drive-up, now you need 40's to climb the wall. There isn't a 100 on this forum that's walking up the main line. The line far right is the only way to go for us. This Bronco on 40's did it...
Last edited:
I'll apologize for the high jack and also offer thanks for the insight. I had a ton of fun in and around Moab in my JK, everything I tried in it I had no problems at all. This led to a sort of ambivalence and perhaps over confidence which is why I asked about the trails. I want to be able to still do some trails in my 100 but also don't want to cause damage. I've been to Moab a fair amount but am still working on knowing what the trails are all about.
- Thread starter
- #16
Absolutely. I recognize that trails are dynamic (although most Moab trails are pretty resilient). I'm just trying to gather what info I can before I commit to a 9+ (11,12?) hour epic. If I go I'll be prepared to spend the night, make some basic repairs, and send companion vehicles for parts if it comes to that. I figure every outing carries some risk. Ideally though, if I think the chances of popping my front diff or denting the Blizzard Pearl are genuinely high (whatever that means), I'll opt for something less committing and more fun. Although a diff breakage sure would speed up my Air Locker procurement plan....
That obstacle on Gold Bar has definitely changed since the first time I drove it in my 80 back in 2005(?). The base of the wall has eroded out quite a bit, and 33-ish wheels on a Cruiser wagon wheelbase don't set up well at all. I watched my buddy in this f/r locked 80 burn rubber from all four wheels while his rear bumper wedged in deeper. He ended up bulldozing out backward and taking the steppy line on the right--which actually has improved over time. I think the big slab has slowly slid down the wall, making it a pretty reasonable ramp to the top.
Here it is in June of this year (110 degree F weather, btw).
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/the-mud-100-series-videos-thread.496138/page-24#post-9818282
That's a beasty looking Bronco.
That obstacle on Gold Bar has definitely changed since the first time I drove it in my 80 back in 2005(?). The base of the wall has eroded out quite a bit, and 33-ish wheels on a Cruiser wagon wheelbase don't set up well at all. I watched my buddy in this f/r locked 80 burn rubber from all four wheels while his rear bumper wedged in deeper. He ended up bulldozing out backward and taking the steppy line on the right--which actually has improved over time. I think the big slab has slowly slid down the wall, making it a pretty reasonable ramp to the top.
Here it is in June of this year (110 degree F weather, btw).
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/the-mud-100-series-videos-thread.496138/page-24#post-9818282
That's a beasty looking Bronco.
You're much better than I am, so that makes sense.
It's Moab, obstacles change weekly depending on who has been there. Gold Bar used to be just a drive-up, now you need 40's to climb the wall. There isn't a 100 on this forum that's walking up the main line. The line far right is the only way to go for us. This Bronco on 40's did it...
Sounds like you are pretty much mentally prepared to take your truck on Golden Spike, @Hayes. You have a reasonable plan and have done the trails in the area. Golden Spike is just a long day, lots of tall ledges that will catch the rear of the 100. I still say as long as you have someone along, go for it. I also still think you may need a tug or two along the way, Zuki Hill for example. I do not think any imminent body damage should be expected. As far as the front diff, who knows, that thing could get taken out driving over a spilled ICEE. Take lots of pics.
Forgive me for not knowing the particulars of your 100, but I hope you are armored at least or don't care about your rockers.
I piloted a '13 JKU Rubicon lifted 3" on 35s through PSM->GS->GBR in June and drug the belly and sliders a lot.
I don't think traction will be a problem as much as ground clearance. My buddy was driving my 40(admittedly on 40s) and ran almost the entire trail including most of the climbs/ledges in 2wd with the rear locker off.
I piloted a '13 JKU Rubicon lifted 3" on 35s through PSM->GS->GBR in June and drug the belly and sliders a lot.
I don't think traction will be a problem as much as ground clearance. My buddy was driving my 40(admittedly on 40s) and ran almost the entire trail including most of the climbs/ledges in 2wd with the rear locker off.
- Thread starter
- #20
Didn't happen this time around. Had a brand new 4Runner in our group that wasn't feeling up to the likely bumper damage, and wives and kids that were resistant to an epic all day run.
We ran PSM instead. Had fun.
I will run Golden Spike in my LX. Maybe in October...