Events/Trails OFFICIAL LCDC 10 Thread (1 Viewer)

[MTKID]

Unrelated but related question.

I'll be in the Moab area after new years primarily to visit Arches and Canyonland. I have probably another half day to get off-road and do some exploring - what would you guys recommend?

Pritchett, of course

I’ve only done Top of the World and Hell’s but I’d recommend TOTW, if you have the time. I only ran the right side up and back. The left fork had enough snow that I couldn’t stay on my lines and get up the first ledge coming up out of the little gully. I think you can have fun safely on right side.

I enjoyed Hell’s but I was following a Jeep group which gave me the confidence that I was driving where I should (and they kindly helped me up Hell’s Gate). I wouldn’t want to have done that whole trail by myself, my first time driving in Moab.

 

[TeCKis300]

Depends on how much challenge you want.

If you just want a challenge, Fins N Things is great. Hells Revenge with some bypasses is fun. They’re near each other

I loved Top of the World but it’ll beat you up. Even on 35s.

White Rim is a good trail and you’d probably enjoy it a lot but you need a permit and it’s really a 2 day trip… you could do it in one long day but it’s 100 miles+.

For arches I recommend taking the back way in. I think it’s willow springs “road”.

For Canyonlands it depends on which area. For Island in the sky - Take potash road and shafer switchbacks into the park and take long canyon out. They’re easy but pretty and won’t add a ton of time to your day.

For a scenic and relatively easy drive, chicken corners.

Pritchett, of course

I’ve only done Top of the World and Hell’s but I’d recommend TOTW, if you have the time. I only ran the right side up and back. The left fork had enough snow that I couldn’t stay on my lines and get up the first ledge coming up out of the little gully. I think you can have fun safely on right side.

I enjoyed Hell’s but I was following a Jeep group which gave me the confidence that I was driving where I should (and they kindly helped me up Hell’s Gate). I wouldn’t want to have done that whole trail by myself, my first time driving in Moab.

O man, Moab has so much. Thanks for pointing me to the highlights and these were it. It'll just be the family on a solo car roadtrip so I'll keep this one focused on family adventure. Gotta leave some meat on the bone for a proper off-roading trip, as in LCDC!

Both Fins N Things and Chicken Corners will fit the bill. May let the family pick depending on mood.

Thanks again!

 

[linuxgod]

O man, Moab has so much. Thanks for pointing me to the highlights and these were it. It'll just be the family on a solo car roadtrip so I'll keep this one focused on family adventure. Gotta leave some meat on the bone for a proper off-roading trip, as in LCDC!

Both Fins N Things and Chicken Corners will fit the bill. May let the family pick depending on mood.

Thanks again!

Fins was fun and very doable by yourself in a couple hours. We ran it, got stuck behind two really slow Jeeps, and then ultimately led them through. Note there are a couple steep spots where you will drag your bumper and reform your tailpipe when sliding down them. If you have your spare underneath you'll take less damage from it. Ask me how I know.

Pic (from another thread... not mine) of Cole I think coming down one of those spots

Pic of the Jeep behind us on one of the obstacles, and a shot of me coming down another one. I'd forgotten how little articulation a stock Jeep has.

This spot had a blind hole just after the top and nice drop at the end. Not actually bad but helped to have a spotter at the top since I couldn't see the hole from the driver's seat.

 

[TeCKis300]

Fins was fun and very doable by yourself in a couple hours. We ran it, got stuck behind two really slow Jeeps, and then ultimately led them through. Note there are a couple steep spots where you will drag your bumper and reform your tailpipe when sliding down them. If you have your spare underneath you'll take less damage from it. Ask me how I know.

Pic (from another thread... not mine) of Cole I think coming down one of those spots

View attachment 3512159

Pic of the Jeep behind us on one of the obstacles, and a shot of me coming down another one. I'd forgotten how little articulation a stock Jeep has.

View attachment 3512157

This spot had a blind hole just after the top and nice drop at the end. Not actually bad but helped to have a spotter at the top since I couldn't see the hole from the driver's seat.
View attachment 3512158

Appreciate the info. The timing helps a lot as most websites quote 3-4 hrs. I'm thinking I can squeeze both Fins and Chicken Corners in. So long as I can get ahead of slow poke Jeeps

That pic of Cole helped. Changed plans and instead of dragging my hitch camping box setup, I pulled the other rear seat to make room for all the X'mas stuff on top of our road trip gear.

 

[linuxgod]

Appreciate the info. The timing helps a lot as most websites quote 3-4 hrs. I'm thinking I can squeeze both Fins and Chicken Corners in. So long as I can get ahead of slow poke Jeeps

That pic of Cole helped. Changed plans and instead of dragging my hitch camping box setup, I pulled the other rear seat to make room for all the X'mas stuff on top of our road trip gear.

I think we did fins in ~2 hours but we exited a bit early and didn't quite do the whole thing. might take 3. It was kind of a last minute decision for us and my kids were hungry.

Lots of Moab has trails like this where you drag your butt. Definitely want to get as high and tight as possible, and even then expect some underside scratches on all but the green trails.

 

[Markuson]

Appreciate the info. The timing helps a lot as most websites quote 3-4 hrs. I'm thinking I can squeeze both Fins and Chicken Corners in. So long as I can get ahead of slow poke Jeeps

That pic of Cole helped. Changed plans and instead of dragging my hitch camping box setup, I pulled the other rear seat to make room for all the X'mas stuff on top of our road trip gear.

Assuming you aren’t stuck behind a slow group…or super nervous…most of the trail-book time predictions tend to indicate roughly DOUBLE the time actually needed…sometimes triple if you are speedy alone or in a group of 2 or 3. Of course many factors & variables always…but the books definitely “pad” the times…though when things go wrong, its netter to be ready for long days.

Of course “YMMV” always fits…

 

[Wicked0ne18]

In Moab, Dome Plateau is a nice spot to see. Mostly mild but a few rough spots. Solo run is ok. The view is incredible. Some arches along the way as well.

 

[TeCKis300]

In Moab, Dome Plateau is a nice spot to see. Mostly mild but a few rough spots. Solo run is ok. The view is incredible. Some arches along the way as well.

Just checked it out on youtube and it looks to be a great trail to explore. I'll put it on my list. Appreciate the tip!

 

[Markuson]

Just checked it out on youtube and it looks to be a great trail to explore. I'll put it on my list. Appreciate the tip!

Dome Plateau is a great choice. *Extremely* scenic…with real variety, including a huuuge cave.
Easy trail, but fun.

 

[Wicked0ne18]

Just checked it out on youtube and it looks to be a great trail to explore. I'll put it on my list. Appreciate the tip!

Enjoy and safe trip.

 

[TeCKis300]

What beautiful country. Enjoyed Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab! Thanks for the recommendations. Fins N Things hit the spot and was the perfect trail for the family. We had the place to ourselves as this was low season for the town with highs in the 20s. Took our time, enjoyed the journey, and let my 10 yr old son practice spotting he's heard the adults do for so long. Would be great to have friends spot as there are some blind approaches, but figured I couldn't get in too much trouble as the path is generally defined.

There was a good variety of terrain, features, and optional challenges to keep everyone entertained (and wife stressed with some of the more challenging obstacles ). Great trail for those with a mildly modified 200 willing to take some scrapes on approach and departure. I had enough tire and lift that I didn't touch down anywhere trying some harder lines.



This was a fun optional climb. Tried open diffs, then locked center, then locked rear. Ultimately, it wasn't about lockers as it was just steep enough, with a slight lip at the front tires that it wanted a bump. The trail didn't need more than stock traction aids as there wasn't much articulated climbs that lifted wheels so A-Trac was good to sort things out. Center locked was not a bad idea for more stability on the really steep climbs.

 

[Ratchey]

This was a fun optional climb. Tried open diffs, then locked center, then locked rear. Ultimately, it wasn't about lockers as it was just steep enough, with a slight lip at the front tires that it wanted a bump. The trail didn't need more than stock traction aids as there wasn't much articulated climbs that lifted wheels so A-Trac was good to sort things out. Center locked was not a bad idea for more stability on the really steep climbs.

That's what they call the Moab Bump. Just need that tiny boost to get started. Slickrock is like driving on sandpaper. (unless it's really wet)
One of my top 2 places to offroad. Ouray region being the other.

 

[PhuckItImDone]

Looks like I'm headed to Moab in March, though I'll be solo. May have the wife for easy stuff, but won't be going wild. These suggestions are super helpful.

 

[Markuson]

What beautiful country. Enjoyed Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab! Thanks for the recommendations. Fins N Things hit the spot and was the perfect trail for the family. We had the place to ourselves as this was low season for the town with highs in the 20s. Took our time, enjoyed the journey, and let my 10 yr old son practice spotting he's heard the adults do for so long. Would be great to have friends spot as there are some blind approaches, but figured I couldn't get in too much trouble as the path is generally defined.

View attachment 3524230

There was a good variety of terrain, features, and optional challenges to keep everyone entertained (and wife stressed with some of the more challenging obstacles ). Great trail for those with a mildly modified 200 willing to take some scrapes on approach and departure. I had enough tire and lift that I didn't touch down anywhere trying some harder lines.



This was a fun optional climb. Tried open diffs, then locked center, then locked rear. Ultimately, it wasn't about lockers as it was just steep enough, with a slight lip at the front tires that it wanted a bump. The trail didn't need more than stock traction aids as there wasn't much articulated climbs that lifted wheels so A-Trac was good to sort things out. Center locked was not a bad idea for more stability on the really steep climbs.

Driving slow on Moab slick-rock that’s grippy, bare & dry is basically like driving on concrete when it comes to lockers.

 

[RobW0]

What beautiful country. Enjoyed Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab! Thanks for the recommendations. Fins N Things hit the spot and was the perfect trail for the family. We had the place to ourselves as this was low season for the town with highs in the 20s. Took our time, enjoyed the journey, and let my 10 yr old son practice spotting he's heard the adults do for so long. Would be great to have friends spot as there are some blind approaches, but figured I couldn't get in too much trouble as the path is generally defined.

View attachment 3524230

There was a good variety of terrain, features, and optional challenges to keep everyone entertained (and wife stressed with some of the more challenging obstacles ). Great trail for those with a mildly modified 200 willing to take some scrapes on approach and departure. I had enough tire and lift that I didn't touch down anywhere trying some harder lines.



This was a fun optional climb. Tried open diffs, then locked center, then locked rear. Ultimately, it wasn't about lockers as it was just steep enough, with a slight lip at the front tires that it wanted a bump. The trail didn't need more than stock traction aids as there wasn't much articulated climbs that lifted wheels so A-Trac was good to sort things out. Center locked was not a bad idea for more stability on the really steep climbs.

On slick rock, you have such grip. You are best off not even locking your center diff.

 

[linuxgod]

On slick rock, you have such grip. You are best off not even locking your center diff.

I’ve heard others say that but my experience even in Moab has been going fully locked is noticeably better traction. Also the Moab bump is a thing you really have to do - stopping on an obstacle really hurts traction. Also how much loose sand is around an obstacle can have a measurable impact on traction when it’s very dry.

 

[TeCKis300]

On slick rock, you have such grip. You are best off not even locking your center diff.

Yes, I ran open generally as there were lots of turns and no tire lifts. It was still fun to try different strategies. To @linuxgod point, locking the center was definitely for better stability on the steep climbs where there was slip.

This last climb had a pool at the bottom. With cold temps (you can see frozen ice I broke through), it presented a good challenge. It was plenty slick and I had take a couple runs it.

Interestingly, I also tried different heights on the steepest climbs as AHC allows for that. I had enough clearance to try at normal height and the weight distribution felt noticeably better for traction. For my setup, normal is 1.75"F / 1.3"R lift. Versus high at ~4" F/R lift.

 

[Markuson]

I’ve heard others say that but my experience even in Moab has been going fully locked is noticeably better traction. Also the Moab bump is a thing you really have to do - stopping on an obstacle really hurts traction. Also how much loose sand is around an obstacle can have a measurable impact on traction when it’s very dry.

Ya.
This is why I put in the qualifiers of bare, dry, etc. Many spots in Moab have a layer of dirt on slick-rock or you’re transitioning out of dirt as you start an obstacle. Lots of ledges are like that…or the V obstacle on Metal Masher, for example. In those spots, I agree. I’d use rear locker there if having trouble…still skipping front locker unless a sloppy-wet day.

Another example would be the anruptly-steep upward obstacle as you climb a bit before descending Wipeout Hill’s big drops.

The points where I think lockers are worth skipping are once you’re fully onbare, dry “slickrock” (that’s anything but slick). For example… on Hell’s Revenge, there are long segments amd some obstacles where you don’t touch dirt at all….just driving around on massive rocks, Or obstacles where forcing rotation while maneuvering on tire edges would cause forced tire rotations that could cause slipping off an outer tire edge… Or… where a zig-zaggy line up and over an obstacle is needed, (one spot up Top of the World trail maybe an example) where rear lockers tend to wanna sled you forward and fight against desired zigging and zagging…

But meh… Moab has a crazy variety of mixed footing, so there’s certainly no single “best” setting…as usual.

 

[linuxgod]

Just scored site 6 at Amphitheater Campground Sunday to Sunday. We'll probably end up updating the reservation later and shaving a day or two off at the end, but my overall plans are tentative right now.

 

[cosport]

Just scored site 6 at Amphitheater Campground Sunday to Sunday. We'll probably end up updating the reservation later and shaving a day or two off at the end, but my overall plans are tentative right now.

Have you camped there before? If not start bear proofing everything. Black Bears frequent that area.