[Kev250R]

As an outsider, it reads like it’s time to ”think outside the box”. Find a spot a little further from crowds, rather than pay to be in the midst, stand in lines etc. Moab is awesome but so Death Valley, Valley of Fire etc. Wyoming? East Oregon. Many like motor bikes for the freedom and escape from the masses. Off road being the fastest growing segment of recreation none of the popular places will get less use. And the majority of the use is going to be families in SxS units, willing to spend more money than you and more tolerant of crowding.
Best hope is find a spot they can’t go….Death Valley is one. The Death Valley Noobs Rally would an excellent example how this could be done. Rent the whole campground. For now, being street legal can save you from the SxS invasion.

This ^ I started going to Moab with my group of friends in '07. I went just about every year until '15 when we got tired of dealing with congested trails, new closures and a town which had (at the time) was in the process of relocating it's radioactive landfill so that it could expand further North.

We started exploring other areas in Utah and have found much less-crowded trails and new things to see. We still do a Moab trip every couple of years (I think this Fall we'll be there for at least a couple of days since my GF has never seen the place and wants to).

FWIW I used to go in the Spring, then we moved it to the Fall and have found the weather is generally more reliable in the Fall. My early trips to Moab were all the second week in May and each year was a new experience with weather; one year was high 90's, the next year cold and rainy.

 

[dogmatixx]

I’m in for this spring!

 

[sgtwareham]

@dori123 and I would love to join again this year! We've got a kid on spring break the first week of April that will make that week hard for us, but if it ends up being that week, we should be able to catch the early birds or late stragglers on days before or after...

 

[white mule]

@dori123 and I would love to join again this year! We've got a kid on spring break the first week of April that will make that week hard for us, but if it ends up being that week, we should be able to catch the early birds or late stragglers on days before or after...

Hope to be able to meet up and camp with you again this year.

 

[simbaboy]

Our Group (all sorts of dual sport bikes) will be there May 13th through May 20th.

The way we do it is we meet at a gas station (usually the Maverick Gas Station on Main Street North) in the AM and head out. Everybody plans their own accommodations.

We then may meet in the evenings for drinks and dinner.

Simba

 

[Fred]

Now contemplating boondocking south of town to ride Behind The Rocks and Kane Creek areas beginning around April 12th. Likely not a full week as planning some smooth cruising around Factory Butte, Cathedral Valley as well as crazy camp-n-ride free riding again here at Swing Arm City.

So many good diversions from Moab's challenging slickrock! I just want to see and ride a bit more of softer terrain's variety.

 

[Bodi]

Suggest you spend a day near Woodside riding West side of Hwy 6. Not far off I70

 

[Fred]

I remember you recommending Chimney Rock outside Woodside years ago. Certainly endless singletracks of varying difficulties but a little shy of the dramatic scenery and interesting landforms that add value to the rides I prefer. Probably would not feel comfortable to ride there solo. Certainly convenient for those who flow in from the north but I typically approach from the west. Good tip though, thanks.

 

[Bodi]

Street legal plated dual sport bikes don't need to take the new 2023 required Utah OHV test just FYI...

 

[Ski Pro 3]

Street legal plated dual sport bikes don't need to take the new 2023 required Utah OHV test just FYI...

I do not think that is correct. Anyone driving anything off road needs to take the test and get the certificate. Street legal, plated, OHV sticker-only, doesn't matter.
If I'm wrong, please show the language that refutes.

 

[Snapper33]

You are correct Ski. This is the flier: states, “All Street-legal Off Highway Vehicles.

https://recreation.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OHV-Ed-Req-Flyer-version-3-no-QR-code.pdf

 

[Fred]

The published listings for those exempt from the mandatory OHV education test do not seem to include government oficials unless they are operating a snowmobile or implement of husbandry. So make sure to ask any official you encounter to see theirs too. Same for the fellows collecting garbage.
Perhaps the vaccine mandate that forced many to lose jobs included more than a few IT proof readers as noticable errors and omission in websites seems to have skyrocketed in the last few years.

 

[Fred]

Enough highighting some of the ironies of modern life....well maybe one more: Yesterday's headline from Scotland "Trans Woman Charged With Raping Two Females With Her Penis."

Meanwhile back to Moab. Back of Moab Road looks to have good access and many boondocking sites if still permitted.

Many of the dead end spur roads might afford tranquil camp sites away from traffic. More dramatic but close to Safari Route are seemingly boondocking sites surrounding the Balcony and Picture Frame arches.

Still pondering other bucket list opportunities other than the Factory Butte region identified like Monument Valley some 2.5 hours south. Was there once in a sandstorm, have vowed to return under better conditions. Any interest in either , either before or after Moab ? One is remote and under visited, other has become a popular tourist destination.

 

[TrialRun]

We need to be home from our trip south by March 29 as Linda has Theatre tickets for the 30th.

I have not yet committed to this year’s Moab. My son has expressed interest, but needs to get a new Passport.

Has any one found a new free camping spot?

I don’t mind spending the $15/night to stay at Utahraptor State park, but would prefer to put those funds towards fluids for my vehicles and myself. My truck is thirsty and I am also after a long day in the Saddle.

So are you going to leave your vehicles in Salt Lake City, fly home on the 29th, go to the theatre on the 30th and fly back on Apr 1? Or, since this is the ZOOM era, can't Linda just "Zoom" the theatre event and we can all watch from Moab ?? Just Asking

 

[Denn]

I've driven through Moab a dozen times but never stopped for more than a lunch break.
Depending on the timing, i just might join you. I have European vacation plans end of April but otherwise good

 

[oldworld 124]

Enough highighting some of the ironies of modern life....well maybe one more: Yesterday's headline from Scotland "Trans Woman Charged With Raping Two Females With Her Penis."

Meanwhile back to Moab. Back of Moab Road looks to have good access and many boondocking sites if still permitted.
View attachment 233425

View attachment 233426


Many of the dead end spur roads might afford tranquil camp sites away from traffic. More dramatic but close to Safari Route are seemingly boondocking sites surrounding the Balcony and Picture Frame arches.

Still pondering other bucket list opportunities other than the Factory Butte region identified like Monument Valley some 2.5 hours south. Was there once in a sandstorm, have vowed to return under better conditions. Any interest in either , either before or after Moab ? One is remote and under visited, other has become a popular tourist destination.
View attachment 233427

Maybe do the southern part or the utah bdr starting around monument? Camp a couple of nights on the bikes?

 

[Ken]

Enough highighting some of the ironies of modern life....well maybe one more: Yesterday's headline from Scotland "Trans Woman Charged With Raping Two Females With Her Penis."

Meanwhile back to Moab. Back of Moab Road looks to have good access and many boondocking sites if still permitted.
View attachment 233425

View attachment 233426


Many of the dead end spur roads might afford tranquil camp sites away from traffic. More dramatic but close to Safari Route are seemingly boondocking sites surrounding the Balcony and Picture Frame arches.

Still pondering other bucket list opportunities other than the Factory Butte region identified like Monument Valley some 2.5 hours south. Was there once in a sandstorm, have vowed to return under better conditions. Any interest in either , either before or after Moab ? One is remote and under visited, other has become a popular tourist destination.
View attachment 233427

Fred, your pictures are always top notch. I bet you would have all kinds of followers on the web if you just posted about 2 pics a day. Of course, never disclose the locations. I am glad you post such great pics on the site. Thanks for taking the time and sharing your adventures.

 

[Fred]

Thanks Ken.
Responding to Oldworld r.e. camping off the bike : It would take something seductively unique and scenic to lure me away from the comfy Astro Van's memory foam bed after a long day in the saddle...something like the Maze , southernmost district of the Canyonlands National Park. Entry via west of Green around Goblin Valley and Hans Flat, or via Hite Marina crossing of the Colorado and the Dirty Devil Rivers. Both are a long haul to camp spots like The Wall, or The DollHouse.

Decades past I overflew The Maze fairly low level from the airstrip at Hite Marina to Mineral Bottom in order to re-join a raft trip. From the air the Maze seemed very well named.

Washington Larry rode to the dollhouse and beypnd from Hitte years ago. Wonder if he thought it worthy enough to recommend it, or to do it himself again?
Other remote TW routes further south may traverse tribal lands with their own issues post Covid. Don't know how much one can wander around the Navajo Nation outside Monument Valley these days.
Open to suggestions but with advancing years a ThermaRest night in a bivy tent has lost some appeal, needs an epic memorable ride

 

[sgtwareham]

View attachment 233655
View attachment 233658


Decades past I overflew The Maze fairly low level from the airstrip at Hite Marina to Mineral Bottom in order to re-join a raft trip. From the air the Maze seemed very well named.
View attachment 233657

I bet that flight was amazing. Drove through that area last fall and it's stunning.

 

[JustPassinThru]

As an outsider, it reads like it’s time to ”think outside the box”. Find a spot a little further from crowds, rather than pay to be in the midst, stand in lines etc. Moab is awesome but so Death Valley, Valley of Fire etc. Wyoming? East Oregon. Many like motor bikes for the freedom and escape from the masses. Off road being the fastest growing segment of recreation none of the popular places will get less use. And the majority of the use is going to be families in SxS units, willing to spend more money than you and more tolerant of crowding.
Best hope is find a spot they can’t go….Death Valley is one. The Death Valley Noobs Rally would an excellent example how this could be done. Rent the whole campground. For now, being street legal can save you from the SxS invasion.

I was a Moab n00b last October, and we did NOT have a problem with crowds, Ride Marshalls, self-important people of any way, shape, manner or form. It was not only laid back, but the folks who came...too many to list...were invariably helpful, to me, a dirt novice who had a bad habit of keeping on dropping the bike at speed.

The Death Wing front tire didn't help, but I could probably have done better.

There was a fair presence of humanity, but our trails, our rides, were not overly crowded. Actually, the other traffic gave comfort - if someone broke a leg or something, there WOULD be others to perhaps help him back to civilization.

Now that I'm not going to Florida, I have money I can spend on Moab. Especially given Mrs. Admiral's talent for finding free camping sites...