Hole in the Rock trail - March

[sixstringsteve]

Wow, that's a quick way to make friends! What a generous offe!

 

[frieed]

People will be coming in late and have a lot to get done before they have a place to sleep. Once we leave Green River we seem to fall off the map for places to eat (not that Green River is a food Mecca, best place is the little pizza joint) so I just wanted to take dinner off the to-do list. Plus, I love to cook...


I do have some logistical questions.

I am currently planning on bringing 10 gal of water. Is that enough?
We can refuel at the trail head and my Jeep hold 22.5 gal. I assume I don't need to carry extra
March could be cold. Assuming as low as 0 and planning accordingly
I would like to carry some spares. The jeep is new (2012) aside from recovery gear and tools, what spare parts make the most sense? my guess was u-joints
Also , what about a Hi-LIft jack?
My plan is to have what I need to fix whatever as if I were alone and let the onlookers offer a:moral support b:advice cbnoxious comments...

 

[sixstringsteve]

logistical questions:

I am currently planning on bringing 10 gal of water. Is that enough?

I would assume that would be plenty for the two of you. I'll be bringing 7.5 gal for me, the wife, and the dog.​

We can refuel at the trail head and my Jeep hold 22.5 gal. I assume I don't need to carry extra.

I've been told that most stock vehicles can get out and back on a tank. I think you'll be fine. I'll be bringing 5 gal extra in case I need it.​

March could be cold. Assuming as low as 0 and planning accordingly.

Agreed​

I would like to carry some spares. The jeep is new (2012) aside from recovery gear and tools, what spare parts make the most sense? my guess was u-joints.

I'm not an expert on the JKs. Teraflex would probably have some good suggestions. Your rig is strong enough that it shouldn't break anything on the trail, but I like your mentality of being prepared. At a bare minimum, bring all the tools necessary to change out a flat tire (including a spare that's aired up). I'll have my air compressor with me. I'll also have my bushranger air jack (it's like a balloon under your vehicle). Hopefully we don't need any of these tools. A few more things to consider: tow strap rated 1.5x the weight of your rig, first aid kit, suitable tow hooks/bumper mounts that your rig can be pulled from.​

Also , what about a Hi-LIft jack?

If your stock jack is useless, then have some sort of jack that can lift your rig. I don't plan on bringing my hi-lift. ​

My plan is to have what I need to fix whatever as if I were alone and let the onlookers offer a:moral support b:advice cbnoxious comments...

If you're not familiar with them, Cruiseroutfitters rents electric fridge/freezers as well as ready-welders. I feel confident in saying we won't need any of these things on our trip, but you never know what's going to happen, and some people like to over-prepare.​

 

[thefirstzukman]

This should be a pack lite trail run.... If you load down with everything plus the kitchen sink you will have more load and then more of a chance of breaking something than without it. I would guess the most likely problem we would encounter would be a flat.... But if it makes you warm and fuzzy bring lots of spare parts. Unless your driving a Samurai, then your safe..

 

[rholbrook]

I am still out of town but only in St George. Hopefully, I can come home tomorrow but we will see if I get done or not but I have been waiting until I get back to post on this thread but decided to do it anyway.

Answers according to me. Two years ago, myself, Caleb, Corban, Lane, Lane's son Shane, my two boys, Jaxon and Harrison and my FIL Keith set out on the HITR trail. I believe it was all of our first trips on HITR.
http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.ph...ock-Trail-ride/page9&highlight=HITR+rholbrook

I never ended up adding pictures to that post so I will here.

We gased up at the airport. You actually have to pull right on to the tarmac. So much for security. The guy running the place let my youngest boy drive the golf cart. He thought that was really cool.

The ferry in May only ran a few times a day so we decided to make the drive around to Halls Crossing. We figured that the time it would take to drive to Bull Frog, wait for the ferry, pay the ferryman so to speak, we could just drive. They charge you by the foot when you have a trailer. I think it would have cost us $50 each way. If you didnt make the ferry, the time you had to wait, you could drive it anyway.

The first 20 miles or so in to HITR is a dirt road, very uneventful. Once it gets going it has a few places that could be difficult. Lane had a 07 Rubicon with 35's or 37's, cant remember. He walked up everything. I on the other hand had 32's on my LJ with a 2" lift. The front diff was open and the rear had a limited slip. Jaxon, my son drove it while I rode Calebs Husky due to an accident and a broken foot but he can vouch for the LJ not breaking a sweat. Actually, Caleb never broke a sweat either because the AC in the LJ worked just fine.

There were only really three spots that posed any threat. Here is one of them shot on the way back.

The Chute was really cool. Here are some pictures that shows how steep it is.

Other comments

I have asked my boys if they want to go again and they are both interested. My daughter may as well depending on test schedules at the U.

Frieed...My oldest son will want to know how old your daughter is so I am saving us time and communication. My youngest son could care less how old she is. My daughter would like the fact that other women/girls are coming but that wouldn't make a big difference to her anyway.

Black ZJ..... Who cares how many people go. The group here on RME are a good respectful group all wanting to enjoy themselves, each other and our beautful outdoors. It sounds like Moab would be a better fit for you anyway.

That brings me to trailers, I don't know why one couldn't be pulled on the trail if you have the right tongue and mount.

On our trip the wind blew so hard. We made it in and out in two days. We never really took any side trips other than down to Lake Canyon or something like that to take look at the washed out trail. That was cool to see because of how deep it was washed out. Corban and I made quick work out of that side trip because we were on bikes but the road was bumpy.

Our camping spot was selected because it was out of a wash and had hills around that we had hoped would deflect the wind but it didn't.

I felt bad for Caleb and Corban because they slept under the stars in the sand storm. A couple times, our tent had actually been bent so far down that I was expecting it to blow right down. Meals were pretty much left to what ever we could make that did not have to be cooked because the wind blew the sand all over.

I still had fun but was anxious to get out of the wind. Riding Calebs Husky on the highway back to the parking spot by the airport was a chore. I swear I was riding at a 45 degree angle leaning into the wind.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks Russ, that's some great info. I hope you and your family can make it.

 

[DAA]

...not that Green River is a food Mecca, best place is the little pizza joint...

No, no, no... Ray's Tavern is the best place to eat in Green River.

You guys are going to have an absolute blast. Wish I could make this one!

- DAA

 

[rholbrook]

Rays Tavern for sure

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Ray's does the trick!

This came up in another recent thread re: HITR so I figured I would mention it here. While the bulk of the HITR Trail is on BLM land, the last portion is within the GCNRA. Glen Canyon is not open or OHV use, i.e. that would mean any buggies or rigs that are not street plated could receive a ticket and or be turned back in the event there was a ranger (albeit rare case but that shouldn't be an excuse to try ). Looks like your group is all plated rigs so your good to go but figured it was worth mentioning.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks Kurt, I didn't know that. It was definitely worth mentioning.

Anyone know of any good hikes/slots along the trail?

 

[4biker]

x2 on the wind - it was crazy windy until sundown last time we went, but we were above the wash. I'm sleeping in the 4Runner!

As far as leaving earlier, I won't be able to. I'll just catch up either Thursday night, or the next morning if I can't find you.

Also, Is there a consensus on communication devices? I'll have little handhelds, but no CB. What does everyone else have?

 

[DAA]

Don't know any slots along the trail proper - which only means "I" don't know of them, not that they aren't there. But good hikes are all over. I usually just take off walking every time there is a stop and have always seen something cool. Iceburg canyon and Old Settler arch being a couple worth mentioning. I posted the Iceburg pouroff earlier. Old Settler is just down canyon from the bottom of the chute - short easy hike but pretty awesome potholes. Last time I was there, I took the high route and stayed dry, Rob went low and ended up having to swim .

- DAA

 

[frieed]

No, no, no... Ray's Tavern is the best place to eat in Green River. - DAA

should have said "best that I have tried, so far..."

 

[mbryson]

If anyone would like to join me, I'm going to try to read "the undaunted" by Gerald Lund prior to this trip. It's historical fiction about the pioneers that traveled the trail. I've been told that it's a fascinating book, and although it has religious themes, it isn't too preachy. If anyone would like to join me in trying to read the book before then, feel free. Kind of a book club/exploration thing to give more meaning to the trip. I know there are several RME members who would be willing to loan the book out.

The wife bought undaunted last night... I hope to have time to read it too. Been looking at pictures also, looks like a real fun trail...

Are you going to lay out an itinerary? Just kind of wondering so we can make plans on work for sure.

If time allows I might get my trailer on the road to haul my gear, samurai doesn't allow for much gear.

I just got that book yesterday. A little bigger than I expected. I assume I'll get through it about March 3 or 4 as I have another knee surgery on the 2nd. We'll see how it goes.

I didn't see a response to this yet. At the halftrack, there's a lot of room for trailers and tow rigs to park. It's about a mile or two from the main road. That's where the UTV's, ATV's and trailered rigs unhook. In other words, I wouldn't worry about it.

Good information.

Ray's does the trick!

This came up in another recent thread re: HITR so I figured I would mention it here. While the bulk of the HITR Trail is on BLM land, the last portion is within the GCNRA. Glen Canyon is not open or OHV use, i.e. that would mean any buggies or rigs that are not street plated could receive a ticket and or be turned back in the event there was a ranger (albeit rare case but that shouldn't be an excuse to try ). Looks like your group is all plated rigs so your good to go but figured it was worth mentioning.

More good info.

Don't know any slots along the trail proper - which only means "I" don't know of them, not that they aren't there. But good hikes are all over. I usually just take off walking every time there is a stop and have always seen something cool. Iceburg canyon and Old Settler arch being a couple worth mentioning. I posted the Iceburg pouroff earlier. Old Settler is just down canyon from the bottom of the chute - short easy hike but pretty awesome potholes. Last time I was there, I took the high route and stayed dry, Rob went low and ended up having to swim .

- DAA

Your comments and photos are always awesome. That arch looks like a fairly short hike, but how difficult is it? I think I'll be in good shape by my May trip, but likely don't want to push my luck much.

 

[sixstringsteve]

x2 on the wind - it was crazy windy until sundown last time we went, but we were above the wash. I'm sleeping in the 4Runner!

As far as leaving earlier, I won't be able to. I'll just catch up either Thursday night, or the next morning if I can't find you.

Also, Is there a consensus on communication devices? I'll have little handhelds, but no CB. What does everyone else have?

I rely on my CB for comms. I'd be happy to help you install one if you decide to go that route spencer. We could wire it to the cigarette lighter and use a magnetic antenna so you could remove it when not in use. The whole setup would cost about $80.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I just got that book yesterday. A little bigger than I expected. I assume I'll get through it about March 3 or 4 as I have another knee surgery on the 2nd. We'll see how it goes.

I'm up to page 100. The first few chapters were tough to read because of the phoenetics of the accent of the people, but I've gotten used to it. It's an enjoyable read (and this is coming from a guy with ADD who hasn't read a book in the past 10 years). It goes faster than you'd think.

 

[4biker]

I rely on my CB for comms. I'd be happy to help you install one if you decide to go that route spencer. We could wire it to the cigarette lighter and use a r magnetic antenna so you could remove it when not in use. The whole setup would cost about $80.

That's a great solution. For the moment I'm saving my nickels for a regear so it's broken in before the trip, and so I don't feel grossly underpowered. If I can manage that cb install too, I'll take you up on your offer. Btw, I'm going to pm you about your regear situation

 

[DAA]

That arch looks like a fairly short hike, but how difficult is it? I think I'll be in good shape by my May trip, but likely don't want to push my luck much.

It isn't "too bad" as far as scrambling or exposure. But there are a couple pretty steep friction pitches - at least on the route I took - that might be hard on a newly repaired knee. But, then again, it really is a SHORT hike, the friction pitches aren't very long, you could take it super slow on the steep parts and still not take very long doing it.

- DAA

 

[Marsh99]

Ray's does the trick!

This came up in another recent thread re: HITR so I figured I would mention it here. While the bulk of the HITR Trail is on BLM land, the last portion is within the GCNRA. Glen Canyon is not open or OHV use, i.e. that would mean any buggies or rigs that are not street plated could receive a ticket and or be turned back in the event there was a ranger (albeit rare case but that shouldn't be an excuse to try ). Looks like your group is all plated rigs so your good to go but figured it was worth mentioning.

Does GCNRA allow animals, like dogs?

 

[Marsh99]

My daughter was wondering if there will be any other girls/ladies along.. or other kids..

My wife will be coming she is 21.