Moab Wheeling Trails

August 4 - 5

I was planning to put all five days in one post, but I became tired and the blog entry was getting so long!
Here is a little background on how four wheeling works in areas like Moab: First it is important to understand that these issues of trail management, use and maintenance have two groups of users, each with its own agenda.  The Bureau of Land Management manages the land where the Jeep trails have been marked and supports the trails as long as Jeeps stay on the properly marked trails. The environmentalists, however, aren't huge fans of the Jeeps (especially the ones that go off route) because of all the growth and important vegetation in the surrounding desert areas. There are many Jeep Clubs that work with the BLM to mark the trails, clean up the trails, and even help block off parts of trails that should no longer be traveled. In order to keep the many Moab Jeep trails functioning, the Jeeps must stay on the correct routes.   The BLM and environmentalists must work with the Jeep clubs so that using the trails correctly does not harm the environment. 

Many of the Jeep trails have changed over time simply because of the extensive use of the trail.   The tires help the erosion process along by carving out parts of sand stone to actually make harder obstacles. Some trails have actually gone from being medium level difficulty to very difficult level due to the popularity. This happened to the Poison Spider trail, one of the most traveled around Moab. It is also one of the hardest to navigate due to the loop and the intersection of another trail. With the help of the BLM and volunteers in Dee's club "Friends for Wheelin"  trails like Poison Spider can be maintained and better traveled by the Jeeps.

On the 4th, Dee, Dad, and I met at the movie theater around 7:30 AM to join  some other members of the club.   Our project was to mark the trial with both spray paint and brand new signs courtesy of the BLM. There were 5 Jeeps total which was a big turn out for trail marking since it is slow going on the way out and also hot as you know what. Berr, the oldest came in at about 86 years old and I was obviously the youngest. At 8:00 AM on the dot, thanks to leader of the pack, a retired Navy Chief (what an eclectic group we have!) we hit the trail. The Poison Spider Trail has plenty of obstacles but few fins so I was sitting up for the majority of the trail and got out to take pictures at two different obstacles. 

Entrance to Poison Spider 

Drinking my iced latte from McDonald's was nearly impossible when we got onto the trail, but I made it happen so I could stay awake for the day. The trail begins with many hairpin turns to traverse a steep incline. Don't look over the edge! So on these I tend to just look at the side of the Jeep that has the most land and keep an exit strategy in mind.

The Jeeps heading out on Poison Spider 

I stood on the side of the road to take pictures of this obstacle just at the beginning of the trail.

End of obstacle. 

There were some fins out here, but I think I handled them better. Then again, this is Dad taking the pictures. 

Pig Rock. It looks exactly like a pig. Totally cool. 

Another picture of the pig. 

This is called the Little Arch. You can see both the Colorado River and the road.

Marking a Y indicating a bypass of an obstacle.

The Wedgey obstacles. Great for pictures!

Continuing on the obstacle. How do you feel Dad??

The Wedgey from a different angle. 

Friends for Wheelin' helping keep the trails well marked and free of trash. Great work everybody!

More obstacles. 

One hand driving skills. 

At the end of a great day we are heading back down the hairpin turns right along the Colorado River. 

Oh, and I can't forget to post these pictures from the lunch stop. Another amazing view of Moab from up above. 

More Moab

Dee told us about a great place to have brunch on Sunday morning.  She suggested  the Red Cliffs Lodge which is right on the Colorado River and also near some easy trails for the Liberty. Red Cliffs Lodge is out Hwy 128 about 14 miles and the ride is just along the Colorado River.  There is not as much water in the river now as there might be in the spring because of the snow melt run offs. At Red Cliffs Lodge there is a winery, lodge, and cabins. It is designed well so that everyone has a view from their room and the buildings are not set up on top of each other blocking any of the vistas. 

Here we are for Sunday brunch at the Red Cliffs Lodge and Castle Creek Winery

All the grapes for the wine

An old truck with barrels on the back. I wonder if they were filled with wine??

Part of my delicious breakfast. Omelet with green peppers, onions, black olives, and cheese. 

After breakfast on the porch with the Colorado River in the background. 

After that delicious brunch, we headed a few more miles down Hwy 128 to the turn off for Fisher Towers. These are the formations that are in the Citi Bank commercial. The sun was shinning directly on the towers so it was really hard to see the different formations, but awesome to see where that commercial was filmed. The drive was just an unpaved road so no problems at all. Someone even pulled over for us!!

Fisher Towers

View of Fisher Towers

More Fisher Towers - it is hard to tell which spire the couple climbed; however I do at least know the commercial was filmed here!!

After checking out Fisher Towers and skipping the hike (I was wearing flip flops as I am trying to avoid as many surprise hikes as possible) we headed to an easy Liberty Jeep trail called Onion Creek. It had numerous little creek crossings, and there was even water in the creek!!!

A creek crossing on Onion Creek

Some extra directions so you don't drop into the canyon off to the right

Beautiful red rock in the canyon with another creek crossing

Steep creek crossing. 

What Dad labeled as the "dog rock." We now look for designs in all of the rocks we see!!!

A beautiful spire on the Onion Creek Road. 

 As you can probably guess, we are truly enjoying Moab and everything it offers. Every day is jammed packed but so awesome!!!

Here are the poor rafters who I know weren't having a good time and want their money back as this was the most exciting "rapid" they saw on their trip. It is important to know; however, that rafting on the Colorado is VERY exciting when the snow melts so don't let this discourage, but encourage you to visit Moab and come in the spring!!!