Elk Ridge to Needles, Family Trip, Labor Day 2008

[Hayes]

Finally getting around to posting this one.

Rode the trusty 80 up Elk Ridge from Blanding, Utah to the Needles District of Canyonlands, over Elephant Hill and out to Moab. Labor Day weekend, Saturday to Monday, round trip from Salt Lake City. The weather was cloudy with a few afternoon thunderstorms, a big thunderstorm Saturday night, and sunshine on Monday. Saw a couple campers down by Arch Canyon on Saturday, a couple up on Elk Ridge on Sunday, and a total of three Jeepers in the Needles. Not too bad for a holiday weekend.

We stopped by Arch Canyon on Saturday. Wanted to drive up canyon, but chickened-out at a big deep mudhole near the first set of ruins. We were alone, and yeah--we have the winch (I have yet to actually use it)--but I didn't have the cajones.

At the bottom of Arch Canyon:

Ruins near the mouth of Arch Canyon:

Saturday night's camp up on a lonely ridge:

Trying to balance flash-flood concerns and thunderstorm safety. This turned out to be a very nice, pretty, dry-ish spot. My 3-year old took a full body dunking in the pothole next to the tent, however.

Yeah, laughing now:

The road along Elk Ridge:

Dropping into Beef Basin:

Roadside snack:

Beef Basin and weather:

The descent from Bobby's Hole was pretty mild. Down in the grabens however, there were abundant sinkholes and washouts that punished the tendency to fly down two-track dirt roads. Lots of sinkholes right in the two-track that would swallow a 37 inch tire. Easy to drive around, impressive holes.

We made camp just south of the Park boundary:

Convenient climbing spot for the kids:

Ample dirt:

Big washout right before the Park boundary:

Approaching Chesler Park:

Wife at the wheel:

Hayes

 

[SLOwag]

Nice writeup and photos. I love that country in September, it seems that you always get a mix of weather and the rain really brings out the colors in the rocks and dirt and the smells of the high plain.

I'm always interested in how others carry their gear and camp....Are the dry bags on the roof rack storing clothing and do they stay put at highway speeds? You appear to have an REI tent, what model and how is it for two adults and two kids? Thanks

 

[Hayes]

I'm always interested in how others carry their gear and camp....Are the dry bags on the roof rack storing clothing and do they stay put at highway speeds? You appear to have an REI tent, what model and how is it for two adults and two kids? Thanks

My general approach is to put lighter-weight bulky stuff on the roof rack. We roll with 4 dry bags, and they contain our bedding--sleeping bags, pillows, and pads. Sometimes I stuff the tent in there as well. It all stays put on the highway because I've got them strapped down tight. I check the tie-downs every time I stop.
I've also got our camp chairs up top. If these get wet, it's no major problem.
Other than that, I carry the spare gas cans up top, laid flat. Sometimes I'll strap a propane lantern up there, and sometimes our propane tank (5#).

Inside the 80 I put our two 5 gallon water cans laid flat on the backseat floor (the kids don't need the foot-room). These are anchored to the front seat rails with webbing and carabiners.
The cargo area has my cargo box--which contains tools, first aid, air compressor, etc. etc. Next to that goes a Rubbermaid-style crate and a cooler. On top of it all is our clothing duffel and assorted odds and ends.
We can usually roll for a week or more and still have unimpeded visibility out the back window (other than the spare tire being in the way), with nothing perched over the kids' heads. The truck is also very stable.

The tent is the REI Basecamp 4. We're very happy with the tent. It sleeps 2 adults and 2 kids perfectly.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Those are beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing.