|
|
What 2 Pack 4 Moab Easter Jeep SafariPreparing For A Week Of Red Rock Wheeling From the August, 2010 issue of 4Wheel & Off-Road By Fred Williams Photography by Fred Williams
|
|
The Moab Easter Jeep Safari, hosted by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers (www.rr4w.com), is one of the biggest gatherings of 4x4 enthusiasts in the nation, but it's not the only one held in Moab. There are roundups for Land Rover owners, Blazer Bashes, Land Cruisers cruisin' Moab, and a plethora of other events where big groups of four-wheelers come and ride all over the red rock trails. No matter what you're driving, there's a great reason to come to Moab: the scenery. With trails for every level of off-roader, this idyllic little town is a destination you should all put on your bucket list. But before you call in sick and peel out toward southeastern Utah, take a second to scan this story on prepping for Moab. You may just find it useful before you show up at one of our favorite trail heads.  Moab is set amongst some of...  Moab is set amongst some of the biggest mountain ranges in the nation at around 4,000 feet of elevation, and the trails go up from there. so the weather can change quickly and severely. Pack a variety of clothes, especially if you are in...  ... an open-topped 4x4, as...  ... an open-topped 4x4, as you may head to the trail in the morning dressed like an Eskimo and be wishing for shorts by noon.  If you drive something common-say,...  If you drive something common-say, a Jeep, Toyota, Chevy, or Ford-you can probably find spare parts in Moab at one of the great parts stores. The Moab 4x4 Outpost is an excellent shop, and we spend a good wad of cash at the local CarQuest each year picking up odds and ends. They even had a large metric bolt for a caliper bracket that we thought we'd never find.  Food is our second most favorite...  Food is our second most favorite thing besides four-wheeling, and Moab has a bunch of great little restaurants to chow from. Our three favorites seem to be Moab Diner for breakfast, Moab Brewery for lunch, and Pasta Jay's for dinner, but there are lots of other great eateries. You can also buy sandwich-making supplies and snacks at the local grocery stores and gas stations to keep you fed on the trails.  Moab is pretty forgiving....  Moab is pretty forgiving. With some wheeling buddies, a tow strap, maybe a rock stacked, and some throttle control, you can go pretty far in a near-stock 4x4. Learn the Moab Bump: Get the front tires up on the climb, then with the rear tires about 2 feet from the ledge (and stacked rocks), hit the throttle. The momentum will usually carry you up.  Of course there are some hard...  Of course there are some hard trails in Moab, so if you want to attempt the tougher stuff it's a good idea to upgrade your 4x4 with more than just a tow strap. For example, we never finished plumbing the ARB Air Lockers on our truck before Moab, but we did have a big Warn winch, which we used once to get up a particularly tough climb.  Of course your basic tool...  Of course your basic tool kit, spare fluids, bailing wire, zip ties, duct tape, water, an emergency blanket, a Moab trail map, a cooler full of lunch, and properly installed seatbelts are all important. But just because it's called the Easter Jeep Safari doesn't mean you have to have a Jeep. The trails can fit 4x4s big and small.  If you don't have a rig, there...  If you don't have a rig, there are often bunches of neat 4x4s for rent or sale around Moab the week prior to Easter. You might just show up with some cash and buy your new trail machine.  One final warning about trail...  One final warning about trail rigs in Moab: the local law enforcement is very forgiving as to street legality, but at the same time if you're coming to Moab expect to need mud flaps. If you've got a buggy, you'll likely be towing it to the trailhead rather than driving it on the street.
|
|
|