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My Jeep pilgrimage to the promised land...Moab!

19K views 129 replies 62 participants last post by  NFRs2000NYC 
#1 ·
Usually my friends and I take one car trip a year for a little R&R to get away from the daily grind, and that trip is usually a trip to the Dragon with our sports cars. This year, due to scheduling conflicts, we were unable to make it to the dragon in time (once May hits it gets too busy to have real fun on the Dragon) so I decided to do a different kind of car trip, I figured I'd take my Jeep to do some real offroading, as there is nothing within a 500 mile radius of the tristate area for any decent wheeling...a few BS fireroads, but other than that, nothing.

So, only one friend was able to go. He has a Jeep as well, but we decided since it's only us two, it would be more fun (and cheaper...gas was quite an expense) to just take my rig.

We packed up the Jeep, and headed west. The route was from NJ to Moab through I70.


We left at night, to minimize any NYC area traffic. It was nice to have 70+ speedlimit most of the way. :D

By morning, we made it to Ohio...which was pretty damn hilly, killing my MPG. :rofl:


We got hungry, but didn't feel like wasting time looking for a decent meal since we were trying to make good time, so we just hopped into the closest rest area food joint, which happened to be a Mcdonalds. Now normally I wouldn't bother with this detail, but they had something I had never seen (you guys might have, but it was new to me....)

It was their coke fountain machine....


It was a touchscreen, and every "major" flavor ie coke, diet coke, sprite, etc, had a submenu with a heap of other flavors. I have never seen anything like it. I also noticed that the machine was very pretty looking and well styled...which seemed "odd," until I looked down....

F8310E82-2819-48CC-A680-5A63F08C7200-3129-00000299351171B6_zps3abac197.jpg Photo by Nirvanaib | Photobucket

Didn't know these guys were designing appliances. :D

After Ohio, it was a whole lot of nothing...driving, driving and driving. Passed through Indianapolis, which from the highway, looked like a cool city to check out...but we had no time, so we kept on truckin. Missouri was mostly farmland (along the highway) and many many religious roadside attractions:lmao:


Finally we got to Kansas, which is a lot hillier than most of us believe...my MPG took a beating again.


Once we passed the Topeka signs and neared the western side of Kansas, the terrain flattened out, and we made good progress. Speed limits were 75mph which on hilly terrain, my rig struggles to hit with the current gear setup/tires. I will pay the price for my gears (stock, 3.21s) in Colorado....




We have now been driving for over 24 hours, and we are both getting pretty tired, but decided to crack on. We were taking gas tank shifts, which on the Jeep, was about 300 or so miles (depending on terrain) and about 4 hours...so one drives, the other sleeps.

It was now getting dark, and it was my turn to drive. The flat drive in the dark (being basically the only vehicle on the road with the exception of a truck here and there) began tiresome and booooring. Finally, after a few hours, we crossed into Colorado.....which was flat as hell....my excitement dropped quickly. I pulled into a gas station to refuel, and guzzled down a 5 hour extra strength, and decided to do one more tank and let my friend keep sleeping. So I trucked on....and then I made it to the rockies.....



While I was struck by the beauty, you guys have no idea what it's like to drive an undergeared vehicle up slopes like this. 2nd was revving nearly at 5000 rpm and the temps started to climb (although not overheating) and 3rd was too low to sustain forward movement. I was forced to sit in the right lane doing 35 (speedlimit was 65-70) with my hazards on. I gained some relief seeing trucks doing the same thing. After a serious climb, it started going downhill, which was a MASSIVE relief. However, the drive up the rockies took it out of me, and I couldn't go on any longer. We needed to rest up, so we decided to play it smart and sleep for a day. We had a friend in Vail, and since it was on our way, we booked a hotel right next to the highway (holiday inn in Vail next to I70) and at 6am, checked in and went to sleep.

 
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#110 ·
Indeed! Thanks for posting! I want to do Moab as well, but like most, I just have no idea where to go or what to do there. I would do the same as you, probably single vehicle and no rock crawling just to do it, but looking for the big scenic sweeps and WRT, etc.

Do you happen to have a GPS track or something of exactly where you went and how you got from point A to point B?
 
#114 ·
Just buy this book, it will have everything you need.

Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails: Charles A. Wells, Shelley Mayer: 9781934838068: Amazon.com: Books

Anything green is cakewalk. Anything blue is ok but care needs to be taken and careful tire placement may be required. Anything red save for next time, or rent a polaris in town and go have a blast. None of what I said will make sense until you have the book in front of you. :rofl:

As for everything else, when you are ready, you can ask me anything you like and I can help you plan the trip. You just need to have a "purpose" in mind....is it a photography trip? Just driving? Relaxing, hiking, etc.
 
#115 ·
Most places did not have service. If you are at the top of the canyons you may have a little, but inside the canyons, zero. Remember, GPS doesn't help in the dark, since to walk to point A, you may need to walk through point F, G,H and I first. I knew where the jeep was, but couldn't see the trail to get there.
 
#113 ·
Made up my mind after looking at this. my 12 year old son I are going make a road trip out there the first week of August. Since I am in TX the high temps won't bother me since it will more likely be over 100 here anyway.
 
#116 ·
Just make sure you are WELL prepared. If it's only you and your son, I recommend you have a case of water for EACH of you for any given day (don't take this lightly.) A cooler full of ice helps to, since you can drink that water if necessary. If your Jeep doesn't have a navi, get a decent hiker's navi (or a garmin style unit.) CB radio *may* help, but inside a canyon, the range is severely impacted. Make sure you tell someone your plans for the day, and tell them to expect a call that evening. If they don't hear from you for 48 hours, call the Park service, Moab police, or BLM offices. (again, don't take this warning lightly.) It's always better to be safe than REALLY REALLY sorry. I did this, and my friend and I are in our 30s. If I had my daughter with me, I would probably be even more careful. Have emergency food like beef jerky and a box of the highest calorie protein/candy bars you can find. Make sure you have extra gas. Some trails are A LOT longer and slower than you think, and you can burn quite a bit of gas. A day of fun can turn miserable in a hurry. Being prepared will ensure you and your son will have a great time, but stay safe. Some places I went were VERY remote, and I didn't see a soul anywhere near us.
 
#117 ·
Dave
Nice writeup and photos
Moab is a really special place with most any outdoor activity within easy reach.
It is really best to go out with another vehicle so that if you have a mechanical or get stuck, you aren't stranded.
Always start with a full tank of gas.
Verizon has the best cell service in the area, and generally if you can see the LaSal mountains, you can get service, but don't depend on it.
Anyone coming out here, I would be happy to talk to

Pete
 
#118 ·
rustynail11 said:
Made up my mind after looking at this. my 12 year old son I are going make a road trip out there the first week of August. Since I am in TX the high temps won't bother me since it will more likely be over 100 here anyway.
It is different out there than anywhere else. I ran a few trails last aug and it was breaking 100. Also remember that the ground (rocks, sand) will be just as hot if not hotter. Everywhere you go on the trail will be hot. Lots of water, sun screen, hats and shade are a must. I ran in my old yj with a bikini top and it was not enough shade at times.
Also I would reccomend leaving pets at home. I about killed my dog, she always goes everywhere with me (many summer time 15 mile+ mt bike rides and is a very active weimaraner)but that trip was too much. She ended up riding on my lap for most of poision spyder trail because her seat was in the sun and was burning her.
We talked to a local animal control officer and at 730 pm the side walk temp was 90 deg. NFRS2000 is right about how serious it can become if you don't go prepared.

I will reccomend running fins and things trail. It has some great rock crawling, slick rock driving and views. And is not too difficult.

The guide book really is awesome. Also hit up the visitors center in the middle of town for more info.
 
#119 ·
Glad you got to come this way...awesome report and pictures. You know- people wonder why (with my 35s) I say that the 4.10 is just okay and that the stock brakes are not just okay. You got a taste of that, but in a big dose! :)
 
#122 ·
Mine sits in the garage all year :( . I often feel guilty. Now that I have a daughter we almost never have a chance to take her out. I usually take her out once a year to the dragon but this year I didn't, so in the garage she sleeps. I could never bring myself to sell it (tried to twice.) I fully built everything in that car.
 
#126 ·
I have lived in several places and visited several (except Alaska). While it does get a bit hot for my liking in mid-summer, I have not found a place as beautiful, amazing, and anywhere as accessible (trails) as Colorado. California is nice too, as are Washington and Oregon. Hard to live in CA (amazing weather, of course) due to the expense, but either way, it is hard to beat Colorado.
 
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