On April 15 our group met in Grand Junction, CO. Ben from the Bay Area CA, Tucker from Sacramento area, CA, Vince from Gillette, WY, Don from Portland area, OR and Cliff from Jerome, ID. We did not register for Cruise Moab but wanted to be there during the event to meet with friends and check out Vendor Night. We ran trails at different times to not interfere with official runs or ran trails not used by Cruise Moab.
Day 1 – April 16, our first day offroad, we start the Kokopelli Trail in western Colorado. The trail is very scenic, however the trail is rougher due to extra rain in the past year. We soon cross into Utah. We camp at Fish Ford on the Colorado River. It was a cold night and I regretted being in my tent.
Day 2 – From Fish Ford we head to the Dome Plateau 4×4 Trail. On the plateau we depart from the Kokopelli trail and follow other Dome Plateau trails. [The Kokopelli Trail does a short loop on the Dome Plateau and exits at the Dewey Bridge where it crosses the Colorado River and continues on the edge of the La Sal Mountains before arriving in Moab.] We encounter some old uranium mines, Caves Spring, La Boca Arch and make camp at a Dome Plateau Overlook. The overlook has great views of the Colorado River, Castle Valley and the La Sal Mountains. That night was windy and cold so I used the sleep platform in my Cruiser.
Day 3 – We explore the Labyrinth Canyon area. Labyrinth Canyon is on the Green River and is so named due to its deep meandering canyons. We take Deadman Trail to 2 overlooks of The Bowknot on the Green River. It is very windy and by afternoon the wind is gusting to 60mph. We search for a campsite out of wind and finally find one in a side canyon on Lone Mesa. Still cool so I sleep in my Cruiser.
Day 4 – Labyrinth Canyon area. We run by the large windmill at Dubinky Well and on to Spring Canyon Point with its views of the Green River canyons. We decide to head into Moab early so we can set up camp for the next 3 night at the Spanish Trail Arena and hit our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner. Due to the wind and cooler weather I spend all three nights sleeping in my Cruiser. A plus: the Arena has showers setup, which our other campsites did not have.
Day 5 – We take the Fins N Things trail in the Sand Flats Recreation Area. Its a fun trail that we all like. Its Cruise Moab Vendor Night so we check out what they are making for our Cruisers and meet up with friends.
Day 6 – Back out to the Labyrinth Canyon area. We descend into Spring Canyon then along the Green River in Bowknot Bend (part of Labyrinth Canyon.) Then over to Marlboro Point. We take Long Canyon on our way back to Moab.
Day 7 – We start the Lockhart Basin Trail. To get to the start of the trail we take the Kane Creek road to the Chicken Corners trail and over Harrah Pass to the junction of Chicken Corners and Lockhart Basin Trails. The first two miles of the Lockhart Basin trail are very technical and difficult and one of us had to use their winch on one ledge. From there the trail is rough which makes for slow travel, but the scenery is amazing. The difficult and rough trail made for a very long day. At about 30 miles in, there is a spur trail that goes down to the Colorado River, which we took and set up camp near the end of that trail. It being a calm and warmer night I used my tent.
Day 8 – Tucker left us early headed for California as he needed to get back for a fishing trip. After breakfast we continue south on the Lockhart Basin trail. This section of trail is much better maintained and we make good time. There is a water crossing at Indian Creek and we reach pavement at Canyonland National Park – Needles District. Taking the highway we head back to Moab for gas and lunch at Milt’s. After Milt’s Vince is headed back to Wyoming while Don, Ben and Cliff head to Idaho.
Of the photos below, Tucker took 25, Don took 18 and Ben took 16. The bottom right of each photo has the name of who contributed it. All photos by each of them can be seen by clicking on “By Ben”, “By Tucker” or “By Don” at the top of photos. Clicking on a photo takes you to single photo view: in this mode scrolling down will provide a map of where the photo was taken (for most photos.)