Moab in Jan w/ my 2000 LC. Will it be too much snow? (Easy trails)

[KraziAzn]

I am planning to spend 2 nights in Jan at Moab for my 30th birthday, then hit up the cruiser museum in SLC. My plan is only cruising scenic trails that are 2-5 hours long, going to skip the hard stuff because of the obvious. I don't plan on camping there either since the rooms at Moab are relatively cheap, also my GF is not a fan of sleeping in the back of the rig when it is below freezing.

Is it a bad idea to go in Jan because of the snow? Can ATRAC w/ Toyo RT 33" handle it? I'm from Southern California, so I have no idea what to expect as far as snowfall in Moab. Also, very little experience driving in the snow on road, zero experience off road. (Just being honest.)

As far as for trails, I was thinking of something along the line of Chicken Corner or similar difficulty.

If Moab is out of the question, I am open to other destinations. Thanks in advance.

Pic of my 100 for fun.

 

[diego355]

Tower arch, White rim are pretty scenic and easy.

 

[KraziAzn]

Tower arch, White rim are pretty scenic and easy.

Will snow be a problem during Jan?

 

[ikarus]

That's my favorite time to be in Moab. Almost zero tourists, $20 hotel rooms. Temps are 20-30 at night, 40-50 in the day if you get sun. Nice hiking weather.

The most snow I've ever driven on in Moab is just an inch or two, but that's usually in the shady parts of canyons. When I go alone I just don't do anything sketchy and get ready to turn around the minute I feel nervous. I don't like driving on snow when there's not much to winch on.

Gemini bridges in January:

You mentioned Chicken Corners - that's one of my favorite winter trails. Just make sure to check the weather before and see if it's snowed recently. Should be good though, most of the trail is in the sun.

Escalante in January:

Beautiful sunny day with highs in the 50s followed the next day by a decent snowstorm:

 

[Sag19]

Unless there is a crazy blizzard you will be fine. Weather is pretty mild and it doesn't get snow packed in the winter like high altitude areas that close for season. There is very good chances its dry and you have 40 maybe 50 degree sunny days. But yes there is also potential for nasty weather but its not likely

 

[KraziAzn]

That's my favorite time to be in Moab. Almost zero tourists, $20 hotel rooms. Temps are 20-30 at night, 40-50 in the day if you get sun. Nice hiking weather.

The most snow I've ever driven on in Moab is just an inch or two, but that's usually in the shady parts of canyons. When I go alone I just don't do anything sketchy and get ready to turn around the minute I feel nervous. I don't like driving on snow when there's not much to winch on.

Gemini bridges in January:

You mentioned Chicken Corners - that's one of my favorite winter trails. Just make sure to check the weather before and see if it's snowed recently. Should be good though, most of the trail is in the sun.

Escalante in January:

Beautiful sunny day with highs in the 50s followed the next day by a decent snowstorm:

Thanks for the info! And exactly! I dislike crowded places. I live in the Los Angles area (40-45mins just for 13 miles commute to work), the whole point for a trip is to get away from people! By the way, I love your build and your photography!

Unless there is a crazy blizzard you will be fine. Weather is pretty mild and it doesn't get snow packed in the winter like high altitude areas that close for season. There is very good chances its dry and you have 40 maybe 50 degree sunny days. But yes there is also potential for nasty weather but its not likely

Cool! Hopefully, the weather will be calm.

Anyone know "must visit places" in Salt Lake City? Does not have to be trail related. I'm planning to explore the city for a couple days and maybe snowboard?

 

[Skidoo]

With ATRAC only in snow, don't use a lot of throttle, a rapidly spinning tire is just before something breaks. Take extra care on off-camber road with snow.
Do I see rear mud flaps on your Cruiser, pretty sure those are illegal in Moab.
You might want to remove them, they seem to be a magnet for rocks on trails.

 

[KraziAzn]

With ATRAC only in snow, don't use a lot of throttle, a rapidly spinning tire is just before something breaks. Take extra care on off-camber road with snow.
Do I see rear mud flaps on your Cruiser, pretty sure those are illegal in Moab.
You might want to remove them, they seem to be a magnet for rocks on trails.

Got it! Yeah, I'm going to take it off before the trip. Fun fact, it is illegal in California if you don't have mud flaps on your lift trucks, or if the width of the tires surpasses the fenders. (something like that) Not like anyone enforces that law, but Cali got some strict laws.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I am planning to spend 2 nights in Jan at Moab for my 30th birthday, then hit up the cruiser museum in SLC. My plan is only cruising scenic trails that are 2-5 hours long, going to skip the hard stuff because of the obvious. I don't plan on camping there either since the rooms at Moab are relatively cheap, also my GF is not a fan of sleeping in the back of the rig when it is below freezing.

Is it a bad idea to go in Jan because of the snow? Can ATRAC w/ Toyo RT 33" handle it? I'm from Southern California, so I have no idea what to expect as far as snowfall in Moab. Also, very little experience driving in the snow on road, zero experience off road. (Just being honest.)

As far as for trails, I was thinking of something along the line of Chicken Corner or similar difficulty.

If Moab is out of the question, I am open to other destinations. Thanks in advance.

Pic of my 100 for fun.

Do you have a lift? What size tires are those? I have a white 100 and digging that stance! Also, the yellow fogs?

 

[KraziAzn]

Do you have a lift? What size tires are those? I have a white 100 and digging that stance! Also, the yellow fogs?

Tough Dog lift! 295/75/16 Toyo R/T. And it is just yellow vinyl I bought from eBay.

 

[SmoothLC]

I'd echo @ikarus and just add that if there is snow, be aware of the north facing side of the trails. They can ice up in certain conditions. No fun on shelf roads.

A colleague of mine who used to be on the ski team loved Powder Mountain, but you can't really go wrong around here.

FYI, Alta Ski resort is ski-only.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Tough Dog lift! 295/75/16 Toyo R/T. And it is just yellow vinyl I bought from eBay.

What height lift?

 

[Skidoo]

I might run into you there, still in planning stage for winter Moab trip, so don't know timing yet. Have had 3 sets of 295/75/16 tires on mine, size works really well.

Another thing to check, your T-bars look cranked up pretty far, if you have not checked your droop number (want about 2.5in) you will want to do that. Going up steep slickrock unweights the front end and the droop allows wheel to follow depressions in the rock and get steering bite. Not enough droop and your steering will scare the crap out of you. Always good to have the tools along on off chance it needs a bit of tweaking.

 

[KraziAzn]

What height lift?

About 2.5inches.

I might run into you there, still in planning stage for winter Moab trip, so don't know timing yet. Have had 3 sets of 295/75/16 tires on mine, size works really well.

Another thing to check, your T-bars look cranked up pretty far, if you have not checked your droop number (want about 2.5in) you will want to do that. Going up steep slickrock unweights the front end and the droop allows wheel to follow depressions in the rock and get steering bite. Not enough droop and your steering will scare the crap out of you. Always good to have the tools along on off chance it needs a bit of tweaking.

For sure! I had a local cruiser shop install the lift kit. I think it just the angle of the picture + the uneven ground. The rig felt fine when I did HIH8 this year. Regardless, I'll measure it when before I leave for UT.

I'd echo @ikarus and just add that if there is snow, be aware of the north facing side of the trails. They can ice up in certain conditions. No fun on shelf roads.

A colleague of mine who used to be on the ski team loved Powder Mountain, but you can't really go wrong around here.

FYI, Alta Ski resort is ski-only.

Darn! I'm a snowboarder myself, skis scare me. lol. I might hit up Park City though, heard good things about it from a co-worker.

 

[Skidoo]

Feeling solid on HIH runs is a good sign. Missed it this year due to a conflict, ended up going 1st week of Aug with a group of friends.

 

[ikarus]

Thanks for the info! And exactly! I dislike crowded places. I live in the Los Angles area (40-45mins just for 13 miles commute to work), the whole point for a trip is to get away from people! By the way, I love your build and your photography!



Cool! Hopefully, the weather will be calm.

Anyone know "must visit places" in Salt Lake City? Does not have to be trail related. I'm planning to explore the city for a couple days and maybe snowboard?

Sounds good, I bet you'll have a great time. I would definitely hit up Park City, even just to hang out. Lots of cool shops, galleries and places to eat. And You might like Antelope Island - go see some buffalo and some cool sights on the island and great salt lake.

 

[KraziAzn]

Sounds good, I bet you'll have a great time. I would definitely hit up Park City, even just to hang out. Lots of cool shops, galleries and places to eat. And You might like Antelope Island - go see some buffalo and some cool sights on the island and great salt lake.

WHAT! Buffalo! Hell yessss! I thought I would have to drive to Yellowstone to see buffalos! Gonna research the place up! TY!

 

[Skidoo]

Up Ogden way is the Air Force Hill Aerospace Museum and the Utah State Railroad & Browning Firearms Museum.
Need to check if out on tour, but the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsals are Thursday 7:30-9:30PM and it is free to public.

 

[staggrlee]

Get a set of Rud 4x4 chains. Great for snow and mud. Gotta figure you're at least going to run into some pass conditions requiring chains at some point, if not this trip, and CHP will turn you back at times if you don't have them, no?

SUV/ 4x4/ Light Trucks: RUD

 

[Skidoo]

Get a set of Rud 4x4 chains. Great for snow and mud. Gotta figure you're at least going to run into some pass conditions requiring chains at some point, if not this trip, and CHP will turn you back at times if you don't have them, no?

SUV/ 4x4/ Light Trucks: RUD

Ruds are good but are tricky to run on that size tire, have to get them cinched up just right, and need spacers for front wheels. Have to be bashing through some deep stuff to need chains, so for this trip probably okay without.
For CHP - 4wd and M+S rated tires and you are waved through chain check stations.