Need Help / Moab in 2 Weeks!!! (1 Viewer)

[VAPny54]

Hi All -

TL/DR: Need off-road trail suggestions for Moab!

I made a post a few weeks back on going to Zion / Arches / Bryce / Moab and per everyone's suggestions, we made it to Zion safe and having a great time!

We'll be making our way to Moab in 2 weeks and noticed a ton of activity opportunities but wanted to get folks' suggestions here first:

1) I'd love to do some light off-roading on the 200 series so are there any recommendations for nice off-roading trails on the Cruiser that don't require as much techincal skill i.e. not Hell's Gate / Steel Bender trails?
2) Tons of ATV activities we can book - I think this could be a lof of fun especially if we drive them ourselves, any recommendations on trails / companies to sign up with?
3) I know this is crazy since I already have one but, would it be worth it to book a Land Cruiser tour with one of the companies and do those more technical off-road trails with a guide driving us around? My 200 series is completely stock so i'm not trying to risk it since I'll be taking it back to the east coast.

Thanks in advance for the tips! You guys have made this trip awesome.

Here's a few pics!

 

[Arcturns]

Hi All -

TL/DR: Need off-road trail suggestions for Moab!

I made a post a few weeks back on going to Zion / Arches / Bryce / Moab and per everyone's suggestions, we made it to Zion safe and having a great time!

We'll be making our way to Moab in 2 weeks and noticed a ton of activity opportunities but wanted to get folks' suggestions here first:

1) I'd love to do some light off-roading on the 200 series so are there any recommendations for nice off-roading trails on the Cruiser that don't require as much techincal skill i.e. not Hell's Gate / Steel Bender trails?
2) Tons of ATV activities we can book - I think this could be a lof of fun especially if we drive them ourselves, any recommendations on trails / companies to sign up with?
3) I know this is crazy since I already have one but, would it be worth it to book a Land Cruiser tour with one of the companies and do those more technical off-road trails with a guide driving us around? My 200 series is completely stock so i'm not trying to risk it since I'll be taking it back to the east coast.

Thanks in advance for the tips! You guys have made this trip awesome.

Here's a few pics!

View attachment 2685221 View attachment 2685228

For mild offroad I recommend the Sand Flats area. Take the road all the way out to Porcupine Rim. You'll pass other off trails such as Hell's Revenge and Fins and Things, but Sand Flat road is mild. The Rim is cool with killer views. Besides the crowds Arches NP is spectacular. Get to the gate early. Otherwise the park closes. Onion Creek in the Fisher Towers area off of 128. Mellow off-road until the end/turnaround it gets a little "crawly". Doable with some spotting. Several easy stream crossings along the way.

 

[turbo8]

You can take the backway into Arches on Salt Valley road. From Moab to Canyon Lands take Long Canyon road.

pic is from Long Canyon road.

 

[linuxgod]

You can take the backway into Arches on Salt Valley road. From Moab to Canyon Lands take Long Canyon road.

pic is from Long Canyon road.

View attachment 2685281

Check on the status of Long Canyon first if you can. Last time we were in Moab we tried to take it out of the park and we got to the very start of the canyon as it descends but the road was completely washed out and had 2-3 boulders in it. We had to back up the descent. If you were coming into the park it would've been annoying as it would've been just before you climbed out and hit pavement.

 

[linuxgod]

Shafer trail is easy (mostly dirt with a few rocks) but a nice way into Canyonlands Island in the Sky district. I'd come in that way and leave via Long Canyon.

If you come in via Shafer trail you can divert onto White Rim. I think most of White Rim isn't too hard, maybe some moderate stuff here and there, but it's really a 2 day trip so you'll only do part of it and then have to loop back

 

[WCDAVE]

I second the Shafer Trail from Moab into Canyonlands. Did it last week pulling a trailer and other than working things out with oncoming drivers it's a fairly easy endeavor. Also, if you are planning to do the Burr Trail on the way to Moab through Capitol Reef, the Wolverine Loop and it's many offshoots provide a fun day's exploration - not too tough, but some sketch thrown in here and there to keep it interesting. My recent trip in Utah taught me that a stock (or near stock) LC can handle more than the driver is likely to throw at it.

Also, you are technically supposed to have a permit (which are free) to do White Rim Trail (as per above). Although in 8 days in and around National Parks and Forests in Utah I only saw the gate rangers and a random service truck taking care of a restroom facility. Doesn't seem to be much policing - YMMV.

 

[dcs111]

Looking for family friendly trail suggestions in Moab

I just arrived in Moab in the 200 with my family, and will be here for the next week. I'll be working in the mornings but in the afternoons, I'm looking to take the kids (age 4 and 6) on some fun trails. I'm a fairly experienced off-road driver, the truck is lifted 2" on Bilstein 6112/5160...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[dcs111]

Looking for family friendly trail suggestions in Moab

I just arrived in Moab in the 200 with my family, and will be here for the next week. I'll be working in the mornings but in the afternoons, I'm looking to take the kids (age 4 and 6) on some fun trails. I'm a fairly experienced off-road driver, the truck is lifted 2" on Bilstein 6112/5160...

forum.ih8mud.com

Regarding renting UTVs- we had a blast in half day excursion. We opted for the Razr and I would recommend it due to the beefier suspension. I think you will find that is plenty of fun and may not desire to do a separate tour in someone else’s cruiser...

 

[VAPny54]

These are amazing recommendations! I think the top 3 are Long Canyon Road, Shafer Trail, and Finns and Things (I think we can do it). We just wrapped up Angel's Landing which was absolutely insane...and terrifying.

Regarding ATV's / UTV's - any company recommendations to reserve with? The Razr UTV definitely looks like the move.

 

[VAPny54]

Shafer trail is easy (mostly dirt with a few rocks) but a nice way into Canyonlands Island in the Sky district. I'd come in that way and leave via Long Canyon.

View attachment 2685299

If you come in via Shafer trail you can divert onto White Rim. I think most of White Rim isn't too hard, maybe some moderate stuff here and there, but it's really a 2 day trip so you'll only do part of it and then have to loop back

View attachment 2685313

Awesome! We ran into a local at Bryce Canyon that said he did Shafer Trail in a stock Wrangler with no issues. The wall of switchbacks was a bit hairy given the heights but, he recommended to just not look down!

 

[VAPny54]

For mild offroad I recommend the Sand Flats area. Take the road all the way out to Porcupine Rim. You'll pass other off trails such as Hell's Revenge and Fins and Things, but Sand Flat road is mild. The Rim is cool with killer views. Besides the crowds Arches NP is spectacular. Get to the gate early. Otherwise the park closes. Onion Creek in the Fisher Towers area off of 128. Mellow off-road until the end/turnaround it gets a little "crawly". Doable with some spotting. Several easy stream crossings along the way.

View attachment 2685232

View attachment 2685233

View attachment 2685237

Thank you! We ar every excited to hike and venture around Arches! I'll take a look at the Rim!

 

[dcs111]

These are amazing recommendations! I think the top 3 are Long Canyon Road, Shafer Trail, and Finns and Things (I think we can do it). We just wrapped up Angel's Landing which was absolutely insane...and terrifying.

Regarding ATV's / UTV's - any company recommendations to reserve with? The Razr UTV definitely looks like the move.

Someone made a recommendation for onion creek (I think) and I can attest it was a lot of fun as we were able to venture around and let the kids hike the canyon, play in the creek, etc. that was our first “water crossing”, which at the time was a foot or less on the various crossing- if you decide to do this one, check weather as the area is known for flash flooding.

 

[jamgolf]

Inside Arches National Park, take Willow Springs Road to "Eye of the Whale Arch" and then continue on Willow Springs Road to "Towers Arch". If you want to stick to mild off-roading then just take the same route back to the starting point. Otherwise, for a slightly more adventurous route, take the 4x4 trail to Salt Valley Road and then back to the main road in the park.

 

[ikarus]

Buy this:

Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails 3rd Edition​

Amazon product ASIN 193483825X

 

[sleepintheback]

If you have a friend to help you out in case you get stuck, go drive around in the sand dunes. I think it was white sands dunes or something along those lines. I did a long weekend out there, and the dunes were my favorite.

 

[VAPny54]

Quick Update - we did the Gemini Bridges off-road trail coming from Moab which was an absolute blast! It took about 2 hours but, it was well worth it and the LC was a monster handling some of the moguls and rock obstacles. My gf was terrified going up the mountain side given the drop but I had full confidence going up those inclines.

We decided to go with renting ATV's for Hell's Revenge and Fins & Things which was ultimately the right thing to do and even better, I'm now eyeing some true All-Terrain tires and possibly a lift as my next purchase for the Cruiser. That should make taking the Cruiser on the rocks a no-brainer next time around.

Next up - we will take the LC out on Long Canyon Road into Canyonlands!