Moab Easter Jeep Safari

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Moab Trail: Golden Spike

Golden Spike is a very difficult trail that can be very time consuming. This trail serves as a connection between Poison Spider Mesa and Gold Bar Rim. With few bypasses and numerous high rock ledges, only heavily modified vehicles should attempt this trail. Most of the trail is just atop the sloping layer of Wingate Sandstone and offers vistas to the west and north. Of note are the Colorado River canyon in the vicinity of Amasa Back, the fin country of the north end of Behind the Rocks, and Jeep Arch. The higher north end of the trail opens vistas in all directions. Especially rewarding are the breath-stopping peeks over the cliff rim toward Arches National Park.

My favorite obstacle on this trail is called “The Crack.” As you follow a giant crevice in the rocks, it begins to narrow and form a smaller crack in the rocks that you must drive over. This nasty crack will be sure to test your vehicles suspension as you teeter through to the other side.  

Much of the route is near the rim above Moab Valley and offers gorgeous views in all directions. The easy parts are layered broken rock and dirt, while the challenges are solid rock ledges. There is some slick rock, but it is those short, vertical sections that favor tall tires and locking differentials. This trail is definitely not for the faint of heart or beginner driver!

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Moab Trail: Steel Bender

Just from its name, the trail Steel Bender gives you a good idea of what you can expect the trail to be like. It is a difficult trail that lies between Moab and the La Sal Mountains in the vicinity of Mill Creek, a major drainage from the mountains. The trail crosses the creek a few times and travels a lovely part of Mill Creek Canyon. 

Portions of the trail are in two beautiful, but different-looking, parts of Mill Creek Canyon. Other portions ride the higher country toward the mountains and overlook canyonlands vistas toward the west from a 6,000-foot elevation (RR4W). In my opinion, this is where you will get one of THE best views that Moab has to offer! 

This trail covers a total of 14.9 miles, and can often be an all-day trail. It is a very difficult trail, with some obstacles not having a bypass. Only vehicles with high clearance and experienced drivers should attempt this trail. If you are able to make it through the countless tall ledges and steam crossings, you will be rewarded with one of Moab’s greatest views! Hope to see you there!

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Moab Trail: Fins N’ Things

Fins n Things has always been one of my favorite joy-ride trails. It is a great place to begin for off-roaders that do not have thousands of dollars dumped into their vehicles; most 2WD vehicles and beginner drivers could make it through this beautiful trail. There are a few spots that look really hairy, but are really not that bad because the sandstone slick rock provides excellent traction. A few obstacles have a descent into some steep rock ledges, but there is a bypass available for these more difficult obstacles. 

The "Fins" are the sandstone slick-rock formations northeast of Moab, and the "things" are what remains as the fins erode. The fins started as wind-blown sand dunes some 200 million years ago, they got cemented into sandstone, and they are now going full circle back to sand blowing in the wind (RR4W). 

The views near and far are exceptionally scenic. The Navajo mounds and fins are themselves interesting, and the deep canyon system of Negro Bill adds a special dimension. Farther to the east are the red mesa rims at the base of the snow-covered La Sal Mountains (RR4W).

Fins n Things is also a hot spot for people to take their bikes, motorcycles, four wheelers, and other off road vehicles. The trail climbs and descends over many rock fins and through sandy desert bottoms. An exciting benefit of this trail is that it can be ran by experienced drivers during the night without increasing the risk level too dramatically. In general, the night increases the level of difficulty on a trail. On other more dangerous trails, it can be extremely risky to run trails at night. With the new technology being used in LED light bars, people are able to reduce this risk. 

How many of you have LED light bars on your rigs? and What sizes?

That’s all for now, stay tuned for more to come soon!

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Moab EJS Trail: Moab Rim

The Moab Rim Trail has been one of my favorites during the Moab Easter Jeep Safari. It offers great views of the Colorado River and later views from atop a rim that overlooks Moab perfectly

This trail is rightfully rated as difficult, and wastes no time getting down to business. The first obstacle to face is the Z-turn, which has no bypass. It is a long climb of tight, tippy, and extremely difficult ledges that require excellent driving skills and a very capable four-wheel drive rig. This is a dangerous trail, not for stock vehicles or inexperienced drivers. 

 Once at the top of “Moab Rim”, you will see and feel the serenity that Moab has to offer as you look down on the city. There are great views the entire trail, and even some sand dunes to play around in!

Once you finish taking in the view from the top of Moab Rim, you must return back down the same gnarly ledges you climbed up (twice as scary). The final descent back down the Z-turn above the river will leave you ready to finally reach the pavement. 

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Moab Easter Jeep Safari

If you have never heard of the Easter Jeep Safari (EJS) in Moab, Utah, be prepared to add a this event to your bucket list! Every year on Easter Week, thousands of off-roaders flock to the beautiful red rocks of Moab to drive on the scenic desert trails.  

There are dozens of trails that you can sign up to go on for the safari. All proceeds go towards maintaining and keeping these awesome trails open. Each trail that you sign up for also includes a raffle ticket for the huge giveaways at the end of the week. Red Rock 4-Wheelers run this event . (RR4W.com)

Trails that you can sign up for will range in difficulty from beginner to expert. The trails are all updated yearly with their difficulty rating (1-10). Whether you want to take your family on a fun and scenic trail or you want to bounce your rock crawler around a cliff edge, Moab has everything to offer at the Easter Jeep Safari!