So being the owner of a new Bronco, I am entitled to a “free” day of professional off road instruction at an Off-Rodeo event. I just have to pay travel to get there, lodging, etc.

Heading to Moab in a few weeks, going to take two days driving the new rig down, spend four days in Moab, then two days return trip. I’m pretty excited as I haven’t had a road trip since 2018. Moab has been on my “Bucket list” for a long time for photography opportunities so will be killing two birds with one stone.

Arches National Park is on my list, looking for other “must see” spots while I am in the area. Will be going I-84 to I-15, Hwy 6, Hwy 191 there and back from Washington, so any short detours along the way would be welcome as well.

Milt's hamburger shack.

Pasta Jays for the vegetarian green chile ravioli if it's still on the menu.

There are a ton of things to do in the Moab area. Arches will keep you busy for a couple of days if you let it. Canyonlands (either Island in the Sky or Needles). And lots of hiking or off-roading on BLM land. My advice is to grab a guidebook - either jeeping or hiking - when you get into town, or off of Amazon. If you have them, take mountain bikes. That area is a mountain biking mecca.

It should be obvious but deserves saying - take plenty of water, especially if doing physical activities. Many a time I drained a large Camelbak there.

If you make it as far south as Blanding, Patio Diner/ Drive In has the best milkshakes.

There is a museum in Baker City Oregon, If you don't have time, try the "avoid highways" route from there. They had a fire go through a while back but it's still worth the drive.

I spent a week doing Jeep trails there a dozen years ago - it was a spectacular trip. Trailered my Rubicon out from MN. We went end of September / early October and it was hot - 90’s and sunny in the afternoon.

Beautiful scenery - I thought the Arches Park was boring ( including scenery ) after hitting remote Jeep trails for a week with nobody on them besides our group.

Buy the book “Moab, UT Backroads & 4 Wheel Drive Trails” by Charles A. Wells - it separates the area into four sections ( NW, NE, SE, and SW ) and then literally walks you through all the trails with colored pictures and paragraph form on how to get through them and find them from town. A must have if you’re going to do some Jeep trails. Also rates them mild, medium, and difficult so you know what you’re getting into.

Three of my favorites were:

1) Fins & Things
2) Hells Revenge
3) Steelbender

You could spend months out there and be entertained - have fun

One other tip - we had a big cooler in the back seat full of food and drink - don’t just go out with a bottle of water - you can really be miles from anywhere at times - big country.

MDS

PS: Congrats on the Bronco - post pics

MDS

You are fit now, and I think you started biking again, so take or rent a mountain bike for a day. Poison Spider is a great shop. Have them point you to the nearest easy trail and go have a great time. Note, I say easy, because in Moab the trails start at moderate and go up to "holy shit, what did I get myself into." You do not want one of those.

Otherwise, Arches is amazing. Dead Horse Point State Park is good. And since you will have a Bronco, go off roading and 4 wheeling.

My plan for next spring break is a step in Moab, renting a Jeep and taking the family on some exploring.

quote:

Originally posted by Harleysbluff:
“Moab, UT Backroads & 4 Wheel Drive Trails” by Charles A. Wells

That's one of the books I have, a good one.

Not sure the OP's experience, and doesn't sound like he modded his Bronco (yet...) - I'd caution him to stay to the moderate trails, not the difficult ones.

I have to disagree about Arches. Personal preference. I don't go there any more (been a bunch of times), but I still think it's awe inspiring. the Delicate Arch trail is one of the neatest ones I've hiked, with the reveal of the arch at almost the end of the trail. However, the park (as well as the whole Moab area) is really crowded these days. I started going to the area maybe 15-20 years after Edward Abbey wrote "Desert Solitaire" (written '68, I started going in the mid 80s or so). It's gotten a lot more popular since.

The Bronco should be a fairly capable rig "off the shelf", so with caution and experience, the OP should be able to find some off-the-beaten-path stuff. But yes, your "be prepared" advice is wise.

Just an FYI --> Recovery Ropes on sale. VooDoo Offroad has a sale going on their kinetic ropes.
7/8 x 30' recovery rope--on sale for $59.95 , use coupon code welcome5 for 5% off, free shipping over $50.
https://voodoooffroad.com/vood...-and-jeep-green.html

Our neighbors did one of these Bronco off road events in their new Bronco and they loved it. Have a great time.

I've had my Jeeps in Moab a few times, stuck mostly to the moderate trails. It's so scenic, doesn't really matter where you go. I only spent parts of two days in Arches and felt it was well worth it, should have done more. Be aware that Arches is on timed entry, you have to have permits in advance. You can bypass this by entering early or late in the day.

https://www.nps.gov/arch/plany...imed-entry-pilot.htm

The Wells book is the best, we've used it on every trip. Be sure to drive RT 128 at some point, at least as far as Fisher Towers and evening is terrific.

No suggestions to add. Just wanted to say have a blast!! Looks like so much fun. I have watched the YouTube vids on all the locations. Very cool that they do this for new owners.

Antica Forma (267 North main) has great thin-crust hand-thrown pizza, including an amazing gluten free dough (not frozen cauliflower crust) that you'd never guess was gluten free.

Arches Thai is good also.

Dead horse point overlook is worth the time.

Also it's a bit out of your way but on your way back if you could swing highway 12 between Torrey and Escalante it's on every top-10 roads in the world list. If you have time, hike lower calf creek falls between Boulder and Escalante. It's an easy/sandy walk up a red rock canyon to a waterfall/pool. But you may not have time. sounds like a great trip!

We did 1.5 days of Arches and 2.5 days of Canyonlands. We did most of the views and hikes off Canyonland Grand View Road. And we did the road (I think it's White Rim Road but not sure) down to the river. It's not very technical and I did it in my stock truck. But for me, it was severely butt puckering with the high cliffside un-railed unpaved road. Again, wasn't technical because I made it but not sure I would do it again. Maybe going up is better since going down is cliffside.

Canyonland views were amazing - the views make you feel small and insignificant. Hard to explain.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
And we did the road (I think it's White Rim Road but not sure) down to the river. It's not very technical and I did it in my stock truck.

Probably Schaeffer Trail, goes from Canyonlands down to Potash area by the river. White Rim takes off from along the Schaeffer Trail and circles clockwise on a plateau above the river around Island in the Sky. It's typically a multi-day trip, and I think you need permits for it these days. It's always been on my list. You can look down on it from multiple viewpoints in the park.

Schaeffer Trail is worth it, do-able with a high clearance 2WD. But you're right, it's butt puckering if you're not used to it!

It's hard for me to convey to my wife that everything is fine and easy when my butt is exerting enough pressure to make diamonds....

Papa Joe’s Gas and Go on 191 north of 70 had a quite a selection of beef jerky if you’re into that. Plan your gas needs around stopping there, though. It was twice every other place I stopped at. Moab itself had better prices. Neat little town, absolutely packed with people and cars.

Notes made for all the food suggestions. One of my favorite things about road trips is the restaurants along the way.

quote:

Originally posted by rizzle:
There is a museum in Baker City Oregon, If you don't have time, try the "avoid highways" route from there. They had a fire go through a while back but it's still worth the drive.

I've done Baker city to John Day (Hwy 7, 245, 26) before on motorcycle, beautiful route. Unfortunately this will be more of a bonsai run for the down and back portion for the sake of time. If I was on my own, I would spend another 3-4 days for exploring but not in the cards for this trip.

quote:

Originally posted by Harleysbluff:
...Buy the book “Moab, UT Backroads & 4 Wheel Drive Trails” by Charles A. Wells - ...

Three of my favorites were:

1) Fins & Things
2) Hells Revenge
3) Steelbender

...

One other tip - we had a big cooler in the back seat full of food and drink - don’t just go out with a bottle of water - you can really be miles from anywhere at times - big country.


PS: Congrats on the Bronco - post pics

MDS

Ordered that book a few minutes ago, will be here tomorrow. Looks like a new edition just came out in May of this year so should be good and current I'll check those ones out. The off roading will be coupled with getting to photography destinations, so will be trying to balance the two activities.

Will have a cooler in the back and bag-o-snacks as we expect to only be eating breakfast and dinner at food joints, lunch will be brown-bagged.

Will start a new thread loaded wit pics when I return.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:
You are fit now, and I think you started biking again, so take or rent a mountain bike for a day...

Otherwise, Arches is amazing. Dead Horse Point State Park is good. And since you will have a Bronco, go off roading and 4 wheeling...

Original plans were going to be me flying solo and taking my mountain bike. My wife wasn't real keen on me being alone so a buddy is going to be going with me. He isn't a biker, but we share photography hobby so it will be a driving/hiking/picture taking trip.

We arrive on Friday, rodeo is Sat. We will be in Moab on our own for Sun, Mon, and maybe even a few hours Tues for one last run before heading north. Figured doing the rodeo on the first day would teach me a little bit of what I should be doing and maybe keep me from getting into trouble.

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:

That's one of the books I have, a good one.

-Ordered

quote:

Not sure the OP's experience, and doesn't sound like he modded his Bronco (yet...) - I'd caution him to stay to the moderate trails, not the difficult ones.

I have to disagree about Arches. Personal preference. I don't go there any more (been a bunch of times), but I still think it's awe inspiring. the Delicate Arch trail is one of the neatest ones I've hiked, with the reveal of the arch at almost the end of the trail. However, the park (as well as the whole Moab area) is really crowded these days. I started going to the area maybe 15-20 years after Edward Abbey wrote "Desert Solitaire" (written '68, I started going in the mid 80s or so). It's gotten a lot more popular since.

The Bronco should be a fairly capable rig "off the shelf", so with caution and experience, the OP should be able to find some off-the-beaten-path stuff. But yes, your "be prepared" advice is wise.

I don't think I can call myself a landscape photographer if I don't lust for Arches. I've heard lots about Delicate Arch and it is on my list.

As for off-roading, I am definitely a neophyte when and will be sticking to the "beginner" trails. I'll be driving their Bronco for the Rodeo (like I stole it...), but MINE after that. It is stock Outer Banks/Lux package trim so more for comfort than off road. Even so, I'm sure it is much more capable than I am at this point.

It's all fun and games until the insurance company gets involved

quote:

Originally posted by SIGfourme:
Just an FYI --> Recovery Ropes on sale. VooDoo Offroad has a sale going on their kinetic ropes.
7/8 x 30' recovery rope--on sale for $59.95 , use coupon code welcome5 for 5% off, free shipping over $50.
https://voodoooffroad.com/vood...-and-jeep-green.html

This off-road stuff seems to be a lot like photography "Just one more piece of gear..."

quote:

Originally posted by UTsig:
I've had my Jeeps in Moab a few times, stuck mostly to the moderate trails. It's so scenic, doesn't really matter where you go. I only spent parts of two days in Arches and felt it was well worth it, should have done more. Be aware that Arches is on timed entry, you have to have permits in advance. You can bypass this by entering early or late in the day.

https://www.nps.gov/arch/plany...imed-entry-pilot.htm

The Wells book is the best, we've used it on every trip. Be sure to drive RT 128 at some point, at least as far as Fisher Towers and evening is terrific.

Got an entry time for noon Sun, good to know you can go in "before" the timed entry stuff. I would like to try for some sunrise pics so we will get there about 0530 at least one day

quote:

Originally posted by 1KPerDay:
Antica Forma (267 North main) has great thin-crust hand-thrown pizza, including an amazing gluten free dough (not frozen cauliflower crust) that you'd never guess was gluten free.

Arches Thai is good also.

Dead horse point overlook is worth the time.


Also it's a bit out of your way but on your way back if you could swing highway 12 between Torrey and Escalante it's on every top-10 roads in the world list. If you have time, hike lower calf creek falls between Boulder and Escalante. It's an easy/sandy walk up a red rock canyon to a waterfall/pool. But you may not have time. sounds like a great trip!

Hmmm, looks like about a 5-hour detour if we head that way out of town and then 89 to 70 to 15 to head north. Might have to look into this...

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
We did 1.5 days of Arches and 2.5 days of Canyonlands. We did most of the views and hikes off Canyonland Grand View Road. And we did the road (I think it's White Rim Road but not sure) down to the river. It's not very technical and I did it in my stock truck. But for me, it was severely butt puckering with the high cliffside un-railed unpaved road. Again, wasn't technical because I made it but not sure I would do it again. Maybe going up is better since going down is cliffside.

Canyonland views were amazing - the views make you feel small and insignificant. Hard to explain.

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
And we did the road (I think it's White Rim Road but not sure) down to the river. It's not very technical and I did it in my stock truck.

Probably Schaeffer Trail, goes from Canyonlands down to Potash area by the river. White Rim takes off from along the Schaeffer Trail and circles clockwise on a plateau above the river around Island in the Sky. It's typically a multi-day trip, and I think you need permits for it these days. It's always been on my list. You can look down on it from multiple viewpoints in the park.

Schaeffer Trail is worth it, do-able with a high clearance 2WD. But you're right, it's butt puckering if you're not used to it!

I'll look into it but I think for the maiden voyage I should refrain from excessive puckerization...

Moab is awesome. Milts for sure. Hells revenge is amazing.Dead Horse Point, Arches. If the river is high enough, take a boat ride.