In order to save our trails, sometimes we have to do things that we really don’t want to do. That is the case with what is going to be done on Pritchett Canyon. The first ledge that drops off into the canyon, (right at the start of the trail) is going to be “fixed”.
Over the last 2-3 years, this obstacle has become more and more difficult. Now, we all know that Pritchett Canyon is all about difficult obstacles, and I am 100 percent in favor of keeping it that way, but there are several serious problems at this particular spot. First, the shape of the ledge forces many people to veer hard left as they descend (especially if it is wet), and a route has developed that goes completely off the original trail and into the WSA. In the process, one tree has been destroyed, and another is in danger of being destroyed. This fact is perhaps the most important, in that it gives the enviros ammunition in their attempt to close the trail.
Second, a majority of rigs can’t climb back up the obstacle without assistance. Even though we all know that people shouldn’t go down it if they know they can’t climb back out, that does not stop most people. Then they break something, or get to Rocker Knocker and can’t get any further, and they are stuck until someone can pull them out. The worse thing is they often create new routes in an attempt to find an easy way out.
The third thing is the safety issue. The obstacle is the site of a great many rollovers, some of which are quite serious.
Moab Friends-For-Wheelin’ and Red Rock 4-Wheelers have been working with Grand County (Pritchett Canyon trail is a county road), and the BLM on this, and the decision has been made for the County to bring equipment in to “smooth out” the obstacle. This will probably take place in the next month or two. By doing this, we will eliminate the need to encroach into the WSA, improve safety, and allow people a way to get out when they realize they are in over their heads. As a side benefit, it should stop the ATVs and dirt bikes from using an illegal bypass (again within the WSA), because they will once again be able to use the original trail.
There was much discussion on this matter, and other alternatives were looked at prior to making the decision. We talked about putting huge boulders along the side of the trail in order to keep rigs from going into the WSA, but that would not solve the safety issue or the ATV/dirt bike problem, and people would still have a difficult time getting back up if necessary. We also considered the fact that the obstacle acts as a “gatekeeper” of sorts, where lesser-built rigs see the obstacle and turn back. However, in our experience this has not been effective enough to stop damage from occurring. (Too bad it is not an uphill ledge instead of a drop-off… maybe then the gatekeeper idea would work.)
I want to assure everyone that is NO intent to “fix” any other obstacles on the trail. However, we are working on a proposal to develop LEGAL bypasses at Rocker Knocker and Rockpile, as well as install winch anchors in appropriate places, close illegal or redundant routes, and provide and install more effective signage. We have spent time marking illegal routes and performing regular trail maintenance, and will continue to do so.
Pritchett Canyon is my personal favorite trail in Moab. It is both beautiful and challenging, and is the premier “hard core” legal trail on public land in the Moab area. We want to keep it that way, and if eliminating this one obstacle will help to keep it open, then I for one am (reluctantly) in favor of it.
Sorry about the long post, but this is an important and controversial issue.
Thanks – Jeff
Over the last 2-3 years, this obstacle has become more and more difficult. Now, we all know that Pritchett Canyon is all about difficult obstacles, and I am 100 percent in favor of keeping it that way, but there are several serious problems at this particular spot. First, the shape of the ledge forces many people to veer hard left as they descend (especially if it is wet), and a route has developed that goes completely off the original trail and into the WSA. In the process, one tree has been destroyed, and another is in danger of being destroyed. This fact is perhaps the most important, in that it gives the enviros ammunition in their attempt to close the trail.
Second, a majority of rigs can’t climb back up the obstacle without assistance. Even though we all know that people shouldn’t go down it if they know they can’t climb back out, that does not stop most people. Then they break something, or get to Rocker Knocker and can’t get any further, and they are stuck until someone can pull them out. The worse thing is they often create new routes in an attempt to find an easy way out.
The third thing is the safety issue. The obstacle is the site of a great many rollovers, some of which are quite serious.
Moab Friends-For-Wheelin’ and Red Rock 4-Wheelers have been working with Grand County (Pritchett Canyon trail is a county road), and the BLM on this, and the decision has been made for the County to bring equipment in to “smooth out” the obstacle. This will probably take place in the next month or two. By doing this, we will eliminate the need to encroach into the WSA, improve safety, and allow people a way to get out when they realize they are in over their heads. As a side benefit, it should stop the ATVs and dirt bikes from using an illegal bypass (again within the WSA), because they will once again be able to use the original trail.
There was much discussion on this matter, and other alternatives were looked at prior to making the decision. We talked about putting huge boulders along the side of the trail in order to keep rigs from going into the WSA, but that would not solve the safety issue or the ATV/dirt bike problem, and people would still have a difficult time getting back up if necessary. We also considered the fact that the obstacle acts as a “gatekeeper” of sorts, where lesser-built rigs see the obstacle and turn back. However, in our experience this has not been effective enough to stop damage from occurring. (Too bad it is not an uphill ledge instead of a drop-off… maybe then the gatekeeper idea would work.)
I want to assure everyone that is NO intent to “fix” any other obstacles on the trail. However, we are working on a proposal to develop LEGAL bypasses at Rocker Knocker and Rockpile, as well as install winch anchors in appropriate places, close illegal or redundant routes, and provide and install more effective signage. We have spent time marking illegal routes and performing regular trail maintenance, and will continue to do so.
Pritchett Canyon is my personal favorite trail in Moab. It is both beautiful and challenging, and is the premier “hard core” legal trail on public land in the Moab area. We want to keep it that way, and if eliminating this one obstacle will help to keep it open, then I for one am (reluctantly) in favor of it.
Sorry about the long post, but this is an important and controversial issue.
Thanks – Jeff
