Need Moab Advise for a 1st Timer

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profro

profro

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I am heading to Moab in 8 days and would greatly appreciate some beginner advise. I am heading out from TN to meet a college buddy and do some mountain biking in CO and Moab. I had planned to take my wife's Toyota Matrix to save on fuel, but I thought if I drove into Moab with 2 Land Cruisers sitting at home, I'd probably regret it my entire life.

My plan is to arrive sometime mid day on Tuesday the 2nd. Foremost this is a mtb trip. So no day long trips or over nighters. Our general plan is to ride mtb in the mornings until mid day then after the afternoon/evening to wheel. I have 97 locked 80 on 33" KM2s. It has sliders and tube front bumper with a winch. More than likely we will be on the trails solo and I of course need to driver my 80 back to TN, so no crazy trails with high risk. Personally, I prefer more mild trails that cover some distance and see the sights. Banging axles all day to go 500yds ain't my deal.

Any suggestions on trails? I will be in Moab Tuesday - Friday.

This is what my typical wheeling looks like in TN, can't wait for some wide open views..
20140623-074332.jpg


Thanks,

Doug
 
Doug,

Thats gonna be a long drive. I from Nashville originally so :beer:. I would check out Canyonlands National Park. As far as a trail - Chicken Corners, Fins n Things. Being that you will be on the trails without support and a truck that needs to cover some long miles, Id play it safe. Your 80 is capable for far more but those two suggestions are a good way to see some sites.
Good Luck
 
Sounds great! Live in asheville so I know what you mean. Recently been to moab once with a 100 series and just this past October in our 4runner trail. A lot of your fun rides are right in moab. You definitely want to try fins and things and hells revenge. Try them in that order. If you have time, head over to the needles district of the canyon lands park and try elephant hill. These 3 should provide you with a little of everything the area has to offer. Good luck!
 
Above listed are all good choices. Get a copy of Chuck Wells guidebook on Moab 4x4 trails. He ranks them by difficulty so easy to choose. Dozens of places in town sell the book.

Be aware that MTBing in Moab can be deadly hot unless your off the trails by 10:00 am.


2008 FJ Cruiser expedition ready and overland trailer w RTT.
 
Personal experience says you will have tons of fun on the classics like fins n' things or hells revenge. AS others have said, canyonlands its fun. I recommend Klondike bluffs or tower arch or both (you can make it a 60+ mile loop if you take the super rocky pass over the bluff onto salt valley road (I have the gps tracks if you want them) I did it in my tripple locked 97 with sliders and stock suspension.

Chicken corners is more scenic I hear but I haven't personally done. it.

Here is a quick edit of the first half of fins n' things


And here is my complete video of tower arch. To the arch anyway, the batteries were toast for the 4-wheel drive road that you MUST do if you are there (its excellent!)

 
Been to Moab 4 times in last 6 years. We back country camp, hike in the AM, eat lunch, then wheel the rest of the day, either out and backs, or on to the next campsite... Klondike Bluffs is nice, easy and long with only a couple of technical sections, and some awsome dinosaur tracks.. Elephant hill is quite technical but doable in a stock 80. For a full day explore all of the Needles, half day Klondike Bluffs... I've heard many good things about Fins and Things and as we are retiring in a year we'll be back.. We've spent, over the years, a total of 6 weeks exploring the region and still, have only scratched the surface of what the Colorado Plateau has to offer in the way of camping, wheeling and hiking.. Best advise, get a guidebook.. Have a great time, we'll be heading back the spring of 2016, and with any luck, staying there permanently...


...via IH8MUD app
 
here is the writeup on that klondike loop I mentioned


hammerheadfistpunch said:
Personal experience says you will have tons of fun on the classics like fins n' things or hells revenge. AS others have said, canyonlands its fun. I recommend Klondike bluffs or tower arch or both (you can make it a 60+ mile loop if you take the super rocky pass over the bluff onto salt valley road (I have the gps tracks if you want them) I did it in my tripple locked 97 with sliders and stock suspension.

Chicken corners is more scenic I hear but I haven't personally done. it.

Here is a quick edit of the first half of fins n' things


And here is my complete video of tower arch. To the arch anyway, the batteries were toast for the 4-wheel drive road that you MUST do if you are there (its excellent!)

Click to expand...
 
Let's not forget about the excellent brews available in Moab
ImageUploadedByIH8MUD Forum1409002522.315409.webp



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