Trip to Moab advice

[jadmt]

YIKES!
Looks like I need to pack the speedos. I got a soft top just for this trip so we could wheel with the top down once we arrived. Looks like that might stay up for the AC

The first time I went to moab to jeep I thought it would be neat to do the softtop down and after my first trail it went back up and every trip to moab since has been with the hardtop. Too freaking dusty for me lol.

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[GATORB8]

The first time I went to moab to jeep I thought it would be neat to do the softtop down and after my first trail it went back up and every trip to moab since has been with the hardtop. Too freaking dusty for me lol.

Moab dust is special, too. You'll find it in a new crevice a year later. Super fine and red.

 

[wibornz]

YIKES!
Looks like I need to pack the speedos. I got a soft top just for this trip so we could wheel with the top down once we arrived. Looks like that might stay up for the AC

I find that it is a different type of heat. the humidity is so low, it does not feel that hot to me. Put a hat and and drop the top. You are aware, that you can run the air blowing cold air on you while the top is down.

 

[73TAWM]

Route is starting to come together and time is not my friend. We are leaving a day early on Friday morning driving 8 hours to Dodge City KS. One thing I've noticed in most all of the trail guides I looked at (OnX Offroad, and the Trail books mentioned earlier), is that all of the trails in this area are recorded from West to East. Wanting yall's opinions on running these roads from East to West and if there would be anything we need to be aware of or to watch out for?

Saturday night landing in Gunnison CO. Any recommendations on hotel/motel stays here?

Sunday morning headed south towards Lake City to hop on one of two trails, either Engineer Pass or Cinnamon Pass. Which do you think is best for scenery?

From there onto Picayune & Placer Gulches. Then onto California Gulch (midway) to Corkscrew Gulch.

Planning on staying in Silverton Sunday night. Any recommendations on hotel stays here?

Monday morning headed north to Ophir Pass then onto Moab (nothing planned from this point on). Our check in to the Air B&B is Monday evening so any suggestions for Monday after Ophir Pass is also appreciated.

The wife and I are used to doing 12 hours a day on highway but since my parents will be traveling behind us we have to keep the highway about 8 to 9 hours. We also wanted to drive the Million Dollar highway but unless my Mom can keep her eyes shut for a few minutes that likely wont happen unless we go out early Monday morning and run it North and come right back to get them. This would be kind of cool running it both directions.

Let's hear it. Please and thank you.

 

[Aerophile]

I know, I know, search the forum for Moab as it's been discussed 5000 times. I tried that but it's been discussed 5000 times and I don't have time to read that many posts.
We are making our first trip to Moab, (first week of July ) second out West (Colorado) and I am looking for a little advice. We are starting out on a Saturday morning coming form Missouri, stopping over night just before the Colorado border to rest. Our Air B&B starts Monday and ends Friday in Moab, but we will be traveling through and staying one night in Colorado. We absolutely love the back roads in Colorado, so I'm asking for your advice on the two day journey through CO on what rout to take. I wanted to do Big Bear but my Mom who is traveling behind us in my Dad's Jeep said and I quote "fuck no". So thought Ophir Pass would be a good alternative. We are planning on taking highway 54 out of Missouri and coming through further South through Pueblo and making our way across Colorado. I do have the OnX app for trails but wanted yall's input on the route for getting there with fun along the way. Even if it's just a gravel road through the mountains. I have a list of trails to do in Moab since we'll be there for 4 days and leaving out the fifth day, but I'm intentionally giving us 2 full days to get through Colorado. Any advice from those that have been through on what route and trails?
Thank you in advance.

Pic for pic's sake.

I just came here to start a similar thread as I've never been to Moab before. I'll be there the first few days in July as well - coming from the flatlands of central Texas. We're planning on doing "Fins and Things" to get our feet wet and visit the National Parks as well. I'm planning on sticking to moderate trails as I'm still rocking a stock Jeep Sport-S with 33" BFG KO3's. We'll see if we get to do any other trails but if I can at least get one Badge of Honor trail in the books, I'll be happy. I'll keep an eye out for you.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I just came here to start a similar thread as I've never been to Moab before. I'll be there the first few days in July as well - coming from the flatlands of central Texas. We're planning on doing "Fins and Things" to get our feet wet and visit the National Parks as well. I'm planning on sticking to moderate trails as I'm still rocking a stock Jeep Sport-S with 33" BFG KO3's. We'll see if we get to do any other trails but if I can at least get one Badge of Honor trail in the books, I'll be happy. I'll keep an eye out for you.

Trails are numbered, from 1 - 10. As you go past 5 the going get tough and tougher. Asess you driving ability and have fun.


Now for the BEST advice you will get:

Moab makes a LOT of $$$$$ from DUIs! How much? The week before and the week after Easter Jeep Safari they make their entire annual budget over EJS. The rest of the time its just gravy for them. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE in Moab anytime.

 

[Rubi SoHo]

I know, I know, search the forum for Moab as it's been discussed 5000 times. I tried that but it's been discussed 5000 times and I don't have time to read that many posts.
We are making our first trip to Moab, (first week of July ) second out West (Colorado) and I am looking for a little advice. We are starting out on a Saturday morning coming form Missouri, stopping over night just before the Colorado border to rest. Our Air B&B starts Monday and ends Friday in Moab, but we will be traveling through and staying one night in Colorado. We absolutely love the back roads in Colorado, so I'm asking for your advice on the two day journey through CO on what rout to take. I wanted to do Big Bear but my Mom who is traveling behind us in my Dad's Jeep said and I quote "fuck no". So thought Ophir Pass would be a good alternative. We are planning on taking highway 54 out of Missouri and coming through further South through Pueblo and making our way across Colorado. I do have the OnX app for trails but wanted yall's input on the route for getting there with fun along the way. Even if it's just a gravel road through the mountains. I have a list of trails to do in Moab since we'll be there for 4 days and leaving out the fifth day, but I'm intentionally giving us 2 full days to get through Colorado. Any advice from those that have been through on what route and trails?
Thank you in advance.

Pic for pic's sake.

i’m from Utah, I really want to run the trifecta this year. Would need people to go along with me. If that’s something you’re interested in while you’re in Moab, let me know!

 

[73TAWM]

Just googled the Trifecta and we are going to be out on that. I have a long ways go before the jeep is ready to tackle that. Besides I will have an anxiety ridden mother with me.

 

[Aerophile]

Trails are numbered, from 1 - 10. As you go past 5 the going get tough and tougher. Asess you driving ability and have fun.


Now for the BEST advice you will get:

Moab makes a LOT of $$$$$ from DUIs! How much? The week before and the week after Easter Jeep Safari they make their entire annual budget over EJS. The rest of the time its just gravy for them. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE in Moab anytime.

Thanks for the heads up! Fortunately, I'm not a drinker/partier and don't really plan on doing much of that. Plus, my aviation career depends on no DUI's. The Mrs. and I might have a glass of wine with dinner AFTER we've settled in for the evening.

 

[darnett]

Headed to Moab for the first time this week. Thanks for the great information.

 

[73TAWM]

Just read on a Moab Facebook group that the East/West route through Gunnison is closed with a long detour. Can anyone local confirm or know of a link where I can double check that? Having already booked our stays in CO this will change everything.

 

[Ratbert]

Just read on a Moab Facebook group that the East/West route through Gunnison is closed with a long detour. Can anyone local confirm or know of a link where I can double check that? Having already booked our stays in CO this will change everything.

Yes, Hwy 50 is still closed. https://www.codot.gov/news/media

If you use Google Maps it should route you around it. Just do that a few hundred miles out and cancel any reservation in Gunnison.

 

[jellis4148]

Where in Missouri are you from?

 

[73TAWM]

Yes, Hwy 50 is still closed. https://www.codot.gov/news/media

If you use Google Maps it should route you around it. Just do that a few hundred miles out and cancel any reservation in Gunnison.

According to that link, it appears it's closed just West of Gunnison. We will be coming from the East and turning South on 149 headed towards Lake City. Or am I missing another closure point?

 

[Murphydog]

Hmmm….Moab just got hit with a flash flood. https://www.sltrib.com/news/2024/06/22/repairs-moab-flash-flood-may-take/

We visited after the flood in ‘22. None of the Jeep trails were directly impacted, but we had to take a length detour to the Needles District in Canyonlands NP to run Elephant Hill. Most of the businesses in town were still open , but the park along the creek was a mess. Lots of dried mud in the downtown streets too

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