The Lions back....

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I would not say Lions back is EZ. This is not a hill I would ride up with just anyone. I have watched many vehicles not make it. The amount of black rubber on the first 25' is not from people just driving up. The approach is steep and I was not able to tackle it head on with my FJ60 (33"s &OME). Needing to approach it from an angle and turning up it added to the excitement but I made it without issue. Once you reach the top of the dome there is enough room for most vehicles to do a u-turn. You would be off camber but most have been seen more off camber in every day wheeling. The problem is the pucker factor of being up there and looking down - way down. The decent is steep and long and you just want to get down but not to fast. Its not super hard but it does have a pucker factor even for the seasoned wheeler.
If you go you should do it (if you feel comfortable) its a kick in the pants and it will get your pulse going - guaranteed.

Have fun
Lion's Back.webp
 
I was in Moab last week to Mountain bike Slickrock Trail. The Bike trail intersects Hell's Revenge in a couple of spots. Hells revenge looks pretty tough, but really fun. It appears to have terrain much more difficult than Lions back (which you drive past to get to Hells Revenge and Slickrock.

Last Monday and Tuesday I drove Klondike, Flat Iron, the very long trail from Flat Iron to Balanced Rock via a sweet flat out rally drive dirt road, part of Steel Bender, 7 mile rim & M&M/Gemini Bridges...including Wipe Out Hill. Wipe Out hill is a test. Not so much going down, but coming up can be a bitch. Especially when holding your breath because of a dead rotting stinking cow at the bottom. Every one of these trails has patches of steeper and tougher areas than Lion's Back, but, none of them have the sphincter squeezing drop. Personally, I prefer testing my driving abilities without risking my vehicle or my life (well, I guess everytime we go out there is risk, but you know what I mean).

Maybe I am just getting old.
 
This trail is probably more technically challenging then Lions Back. This is Hell's Gate and part of the Hells Revenge trail. The rest of Hells revenge is a lot easier and there is a bypass for this.

This is our own NorCalDoug in his LX450, thats the same vehicle as an 80 series Land Cruiser.

By the end of this week we should have pictures of multiple FJs doing this and other technically challenging trails at Moab.

In a previous thread when we had pictures of wheeling with the FJ Cruiser Team, Powderpig (Robbie on the FJ Team) said he had a rear locker, but has become so fond of the A Track that he rarley uses it. Robbie wheeled a basically stock FJ (with ARB but no lift) and made the big obstacles seem easy.

The FJ Team has been on two runs so far with my club (Rising Sun of Colorado) and we have a lot of seasoned and experianced wheelers with FJ40's, 60's, 80's and even a 100 series. All were impressed with the capabilities of the FJ and it is a capable off road vehicle. Its what I have seen and the opinion of those I respect that makes me believe the FJ is a great offroader.

I'll be wheeling with an FJ Team on Thursday on Elephant Hill. I am sure I will be equally impressed.

Check out the Live from Cruise Moab thread in the Trails Forum section for updates. The real action won't start till weds.

attachment.php
 
I remember my first Moab run of Elephant Hill in my stock TJ as a newbie... What an experience! I have to admit, the stock wranglers on my TJ had me worried about a couple ledges on the way out.

The rating of "3" at the time has since been updated to 3.5. Beautiful ride. Am anxious to return to Moab. Have a great time! (I am very jealous this week :) )
 
I once drove an 83 Tercel 4x4 wagon up Baby Lionsback. Believe it or not. LOL, but seriously............... I did.
 
That trail is nuts. I prefer to crap my pants safely at the bottom thank you very much. I don't need to go up.
 
I went to Moab about 6 years ago. A couple of the people I went with took there Jeeps and blazers, and two of my friends took there dirt bikes while I took my 4wheeler.
First thing we did when we got to moab was go up lions back. It was easy and not to scary on the 4wheeler and dirt bikes. Then i jumped in a friends jeep a rode with him up and i experienced the pucker factor. Even though it was a little scary in the jeep it wasnt to difficult.
 
I just watched a stock FJ run Hells revenge with most of the side options. Robbie took it through hells gate, the smallest of the baths, tipover hill, and the squize...all with out any damage. This is with a stock FJ with only a winch and ARB bumper.

pretty impressive
 
clarkrw3 said:
I just watched a stock FJ run Hells revenge with most of the side options. Robbie took it through hells gate, the smallest of the baths, tipover hill, and the squize...all with out any damage. This is with a stock FJ with only a winch and ARB bumper.

pretty impressive
Click to expand...

And you took how many pictures?

Do I have to say it?
 
Too tired to download..and upload them. I did all the same in my 80 but after a stock fj does it, it doesn't seem as cool. But it sure was fun!!!! the lexi with that 6" works GREAT!
 
We wheeled Spike and the crack with the FJC team today. They were letting any who wanted to drive. The team drivers don't baby them, I wouldn't buy a used one from them!:D

The FJC in the crack, a little wheel lift anyone!:eek: :D Then cruising double whammy
fj_crack.webp
fj_dw.webp
 
Has anyone ever fallen down or fliped over going up Lions back?
 
i need links 2 pics. my dial up is to slow to show me a long video
 
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