moab for a day

[pedro972]

Hello all,

We are coming to Utah for a family reunion and will be spending most of the time northeast, in the Vernal area. A few of us are going to be in Moab on June 28th.

We will be renting two Jeeps and from internet searches it seems Farabees is a good option. Is that a good outfit?

My wife or her sister will be driving one of the Jeeps and they have zero experience, so we would be interested in easy trails. We will also have 3 kids around 11 years old that would love to climb and play on the formations.

Knowing that we only have 1 day to do as much as possible, can someone please recommend a few trails that would be "friendly to a newbie" but not a dirt road???

Are the trails well marked, ie.. easy to find/follow?

Many thanks for any replies,
Frank

 

[Spork]

I've heard good things from Farabees, My Manager's daughter rented a rubicon from them and had a good experience.
I would look at Fins and Things for a newbie friendly trail it's well marked and has a lot of slick rock. It's in the Sand flats area so there is a $5 fee to get in. They even provide a map if you need one.
Link: http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=25

It only takes a few hours to run so you could probably hit another trail something like Gemini Bridges/Bull canyon combo or run Hell's revenge (also in Sand Flats) if you wanted something a little harder than Fins & things.

 

[pedro972]

fins and things

I thought Fins and Things had some very steep sections that might be intimidating for a first time Jeeper. My wife or her sister will be driving a Jeep and they have never driven one offroad.

thanks,
frank

 

[Mope]

Another vote for Fins and things, and Hells Revenge. We went for our first time a month ago, and these fit the bill really well!

 

[zkeys]

I thought Fins and Things had some very steep sections that might be intimidating for a first time Jeeper. My wife or her sister will be driving a Jeep and they have never driven one offroad.

thanks,
frank

Yeah, I do not know that I would sent a first time jeeper on Fins or Hell's.

You could check out Hurrah Pass to Chicken Corners. Or Potash Road/Shafer Trail, see a little bit of Canyonlands park, then head back Long Canyon Road. A little North of Moab is Gemini Bridges, Bull Canyon.

If you decide you want more challenge then head to Fins n Things.

Thanks,

Zack

 

[JL Rockies]

The best noob trials for dirt road and scenic fun is drive out to long canyon from 313 to Potash Rd. Bang a right on Potash past the salt plant and into the back entrance of Canyonlands NP. Go left at the sign pointing towards Musselman's Arch and go take your photos of each other standing on it. Double-back the way you came until you come to the fork again. You can either go right back the way you came or continue straight up Schafer Trail 6 miles to Island in the Sky visitor center. The trail is easy but can be mentally challenging due to the high altitudes on the switchbacks.

This itinerary will get you a full day of back-country fun and lots of photo-opps without terrifying anyone. Fins n Things is technically easy but can be very scary for the un-initiated.

 

[pedro972]

Hello all,

Thanks for the suggestions. We will be in rental Rubicons, so I would like to do more than just a dirt road. Will these trails offer any small obstacles, or are they truly flat dirt roads??

thanks,
frank

 

[Spork]

I thought Fins and Things had some very steep sections that might be intimidating for a first time Jeeper. My wife or her sister will be driving a Jeep and they have never driven one offroad.

thanks,
frank

Fins and things have short steep sections but they are wide and shouldn't be any challenge to a Rubicon. (Fins and things can be run with low range and open-diffs). If you're worried about steep sections that are long and drop off on both sides don't do Hell's revenge.

 

[Jedisdead]

poison spider is a good one in my opinion

 

[Sirius Glass]

poison spider is a good one in my opinion

Not for a noobie.

 

[JL Rockies]

Go on "Top of the World" then. It has some obstacles (Moderate), a breath-taking view from the top and is essentially a loop so you can't get lost.

You're not afraid of heights are you?

 

[pedro972]

Well, since my wife or her sister will be driving one of the jeeps, we will not be able to tackle anything to intimidating. I think steep narrow switchbacks may not go over to well!!

thanks,
frank

 

[Cherokeester]

Do Fins n Things south side first. That will be fun and not to scary. Once you have done that go on to the north side. If you really don't feel like going out alone then get a guide to go with you (Dan Mick).

 

[Spork]

Do Fins n Things south side first. That will be fun and not to scary. Once you have done that go on to the north side. If you really don't feel like going out alone then get a guide to go with you (Dan Mick).

Yea forgot to mention that you could cut out halfway through when it crosses the road.

 

[JL Rockies]

Do you realize that most of MOAB area trails involve narrow switchbacks and high altitudes?

"Top of the World" is one of the few trails that are moderate difficulty and there are no edges.... unless you elect to get out at the top and gaze at the view. If you weren't going on a Monday, I'd volunteer to be your guide.

 

[pedro972]

From what I have been reading it seems you could do Gemini Bridges and Bull Canyon without it being too white knuckled. I am not worried about myself as much as my wife or her sister who will be driving the other jeep.

I appreciate your comments.

frank

 

[JL Rockies]

Pretty sure that there's a high-altitude shelf road on the way to Gemini if memory serves. You'd be better off on "top of the world" if narrow roads are going to be a problem for her.

 

[capt scotty]

for a first time shot with some great scenic views , a controlled but challenging trail I would recomend Elephant Hill trail. It is south of Moab, The trail is maintained. It is fun and a little scary but really not much chance to screw up. Great views, hike to the overlook of the Colorado river/Green River confluence.

Have fun!!

 

[Spork]

Pretty sure that there's a high-altitude shelf road on the way to Gemini if memory serves. You'd be better off on "top of the world" if narrow roads are going to be a problem for her.

See picture... :greg:

 

[1TonTom]

3d trail is a great "noob trail" in my opinion.... That was the first moab trail i have ever done. Great views pretty easy wheeling