challenging moab trail recommendations

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

BlackMamba

Full Access Member
Joined
May 7, 2011
Posts
435
Reaction score
367
Location
Houston
Guide to Moab, UT Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive trails by Charles Wells. He lists the trails in 3 categories: easy, moderate, and difficult. The difficult trails are the typical Moab jeep trails - big tires, lots of clearance and good entry and exit angles. We stayed away from the difficult trails - I have 37s and good approach angle but we were running solo so not worth the risk.

The author lists all his favorite trails on page 10 (in bold) - many of those trails are easy to moderate.

Some trails I enjoyed (some of these are technical, slow trails, but worth the drive even if you can't go fast):

1. Tower Arch (check at front gate to Arches National Park to make sure Eye of the Whale Arch road is open as a cut thru).

2. La Sal mountain loop. Lots of trail options here detailed in the trail guide. Cool temps and high altitude are a great contrast to most of Moab.

3. White Rim, Potash Rd., Shafer switchbacks. Good high speed fun at times. Look out for people on mountain bikes.

Get the guide book. Very helpful. We could have stayed another few days - lots of cool trails.

Will post some pics if I get time

---------- Post added at 07:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 PM ----------

20140709_110636_zpsvkk4bhq6.jpg

Tower Arch in the background.

---------- Post added at 07:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:45 PM ----------

20140710_153105_zps95x3k12s.jpg

On Potash rd. Not far from Thelma and Louise Point. 13 year old driving. Wide and fast.

---------- Post added at 07:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:47 PM ----------

20140711_103857_zpsbciikdcm.jpg

La Sal Mountain Pass

---------- Post added at 07:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 PM ----------

20140711_140632_zpshqf0bl3f.jpg

This is in onion creek which connects back to the La Sal Mtn. trails.
 
OP
OP
FreightTerrain

FreightTerrain

FRF Addict
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Posts
8,030
Reaction score
41,549
Location
land of oz
thanks man. i do have the book, and its a huge help. older edition, but i imagine most of the info is still the same. ive done white rim and its great. might do it again, even though canyonlands website says its pretty rough on the west side due to recent heavy rains. maybe thats a good thing.:Good or Bad:

 

BlackMamba

Full Access Member
Joined
May 7, 2011
Posts
435
Reaction score
367
Location
Houston
Moab.

---------- Post added at 12:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:26 PM ----------

White rim was closed from the Shaffer switchbacks when were there. Lots of heavy equipment doing irrigation and road work.
 

Yukon Joe

FRF Addict
Joined
Nov 16, 2011
Posts
18,372
Reaction score
11,618
Location
Russellville, AR
Guide to Moab, UT Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive trails by Charles Wells. He lists the trails in 3 categories: easy, moderate, and difficult. The difficult trails are the typical Moab jeep trails - big tires, lots of clearance and good entry and exit angles. We stayed away from the difficult trails - I have 37s and good approach angle but we were running solo so not worth the risk.

The author lists all his favorite trails on page 10 (in bold) - many of those trails are easy to moderate.

Some trails I enjoyed (some of these are technical, slow trails, but worth the drive even if you can't go fast):

1. Tower Arch (check at front gate to Arches National Park to make sure Eye of the Whale Arch road is open as a cut thru).

2. La Sal mountain loop. Lots of trail options here detailed in the trail guide. Cool temps and high altitude are a great contrast to most of Moab.

3. White Rim, Potash Rd., Shafer switchbacks. Good high speed fun at times. Look out for people on mountain bikes.

Get the guide book. Very helpful. We could have stayed another few days - lots of cool trails.

Will post some pics if I get time

---------- Post added at 07:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 PM ----------

20140709_110636_zpsvkk4bhq6.jpg

Tower Arch in the background.

---------- Post added at 07:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:45 PM ----------

20140710_153105_zps95x3k12s.jpg

On Potash rd. Not far from Thelma and Louise Point. 13 year old driving. Wide and fast.

---------- Post added at 07:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:47 PM ----------

20140711_103857_zpsbciikdcm.jpg

La Sal Mountain Pass

---------- Post added at 07:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 PM ----------

20140711_140632_zpshqf0bl3f.jpg

This is in onion creek which connects back to the La Sal Mtn. trails.
Beautiful!


Donate to Avery and be entered into a raffle for an awesome prize for your Raptor.

Bullets for your gun!
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/showthread.php?p=793926
 

AxelR

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2021
Posts
299
Reaction score
313
Location
Sunset
Reviving this thread.
About to head to Moab.
Did the Jeep stuff a few years ago, albeit in a Land Rover, now ready for the higher speed spots with the Raptor.
Any advice appreciated.
 

Bracamonte

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2021
Posts
239
Reaction score
449
Location
North Texas / Colorado / Black Hills
Reviving this thread.
About to head to Moab.
Did the Jeep stuff a few years ago, albeit in a Land Rover, now ready for the higher speed spots with the Raptor.
Any advice appreciated.

Higher-speed stuff is going to be West of Moab where the desert opens up more - closer to Canyonlands. Moab stuff isn't that fun for going fast - too rocky for it, and in a lot of cases, it's really frowned on because of the safety issue and the amount of dust you'll kick up for everyone else on the trail.

If you're still set on Moab, try Charles Wells' 4x4 book: "Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails.' Great photos, mile markers, trail descriptions, ratings, time approximations...
 
Top