[Fred]

Updated Post #1 for the latest and greatest.
Like that Cavebus! RV looks like a reasonable overhang will allow driving on mild dirt roads to boondock with the group once we find each other.
No boondocking site selected yet, we're fleeing overcrowded places from past get together, so exploring alternatives. Propossed Behind-the-Rocks area is unexplored, camping may not even be permitted. Satelite imagery suggest some places, but also revels some residences too.

Google screen shot for general idea of Behind-the Rocks road network

 

[TomT]

Dates? Camp or lodging plans? Who plans to come?

EDIT: Thanks to Trial Run for the follwing updates.


Dates: April 10ish - 20ish seems to be how it's sorting out.

Attendees:
1. Appleguy and Family (3) Arrive 10 Depart 17-20
2. Admirals and Family (4-5) Arrive 12 Depart 17
3. Fred - another firm definite Maybe 4/12-4/17
4. TrialRun Arrive 11-12 Depart 17-18
5. Bodi ???
6. Usernamenottaken 4/10 - 4-17
7. Jcaveman 4/7 to ?
8.Just Passing Through - a Firm definite Maybe
9. Plumbstraight ?


Moab Camp Location: TBD, but Admirals propose South of town to try a new area due to having ridden the north-of-town trails many times. And no one has disagreed with this as a group location yet.

Pre and Post Moab:
Pre:
Fred - maybe Needles and/or Monument Valley.
TrialRun - interested in going somewhere before and may arrive to visit Monument Valley or somewhere else in the S.E area.

Hi Fred,
I'm excited for April Moab & am booked in the Moab Valley Inn @ the south end of town 4/11-4/17. A "Pre" ride on the way to Moab from Phoenix (Valley of the Gods, Monument, Canyonlands) would be fun too.

 

[Fred]

Yay, TomT is a comin'! I could use some more Trials riding tips.
Unfortunately I may be too late for a Pre-Moab Monument Valley warm-up ride, was going to visit it as the southern point of a big loop before heading NNW up 95 to SwingArm/Factory Butte etc after a few days at Moab but I can be flexible. Wonder if the Admirals are passing/ detouring into Monument if they come from New Mexico?

Anyone who has scouted or have knowledge & suggestions about Behind-the-Rocks Road or other southern boondocking please speak up as for me this is unchartered territory. Shucks, I may not even be there unless I do some successful fixing and healing. Finished the repair of a partial collapse of a roof structure today, may just go see if I can throw a leg over the saddle and take me and my folding cane for a ride.

 

[Bodi]

Kane Creek trail joins in just South of Behind the Rocks Rd. Flat Iron Mesa is a few miles further South from there on the West. Strike Ravine and Area BFE are just down the road on the East side across from BTR road. Chutes and Ladders is a ways south of BTR road on the East side. Jax Trax is about 25 miles South of Moab. Hotel Rock trail is about 80 miles South of Moab

 

[Fred]

Riding areas are are listed on maps and guides but what about opinions on possible camp locations? What have you seen along Behind-the-Rocks Road that might be suitable for us?

 

[Bodi]

It's been a while since I've been in there but there are more camping options on the BTR West side. It seems like the road is a lot rougher and not graded like Willow. I would unload or unhook to scout my spot first.
BTR trail is tough. BTR road basically drops down Pritchett Canyon. There is riding down that way but you'll have to hop on the Hwy to access a lot if it I think. I don't know it that well

 

[Bodi]

Steel Bender used to be a fun trail. It's up behind the Spanish Arena

 

[admiral]

Fred and anyone concerned. Here is my recon and proposal that was for 2020 Moab but was canceled due to Covid. Note: This information was from 2020.

*Fred, one other thing, while a person could get an SUV and camp at Picture Frame Arch, big campers could never make it. Plus, there is a ton of traffic at this arch during the day. I would not recommend this site for camping.

**There are back roads into Moab from Camps 1 & 2 so you don't have to ride on the highway if you don't want to.


Previous 2020 recon info...

Moab 2020 Behind the Rocks. To get there. From the McDonalds in Moab, travel south on Hwy 191 for approximately 12.3 miles. The turnoff from 191 is at the top of the hill. (See Camp Option 2 for alternate directions).

Camping. This is a free dry camp (bring your own extra gas, portable toilet, water, food, moonshine, etc...). This is a large dispersed camp area designated by signposts with camp numbers.

My options for camps:

Camp 1 Option: From the McDonalds in Moab, travel south on Hwy 191 for approximately 12.3 miles. Turn right off the Hwy and stay on the dirt/sand road for approximately 2.3 miles. The road is a little rough so if you’re driving a big rig/trailer, take it easy, take it slow. In approximately 2.3 miles you should see a small post sign which indicates campsites 19-38 or a number very close to this. Turn left, in a couple of hundred feet continue and go through the fence gate. In the open area, you should start to see the camp signposts which are marked with the sight number. There are additional campsites further in the trees.

Below is what the area looks like.

Camp 2 Option: From the McDonalds in Moab, travel south on Hwy 191 for approximately 11.2 miles. Turn left off the Hwy and stay on the main dirt road for approximately ¾ mile. There are a couple of areas so if this is our spot you should look for the TW’s. This camping area is smaller than behind the rocks.

Nearby Trails:
***All of these trails can be accessed via Camp 1 or Camp 2.
Steelbender
Behind the Rocks
Tiptoe Behind the Rocks
Kane Creek Canyon (if the water level isn’t too high)
Lockhart Basin trail.
Flat Iron Mesa
Strike Ravine ??? it was closed on our recon in mid-February
Cameo Cliffs (aka Hook & Ladder)

Trails available in the Moab area (about 12 miles away...Moab not the trails) ***All of these trails can be accessed via Camp 1 or Camp 2. There are back roads into Moab so you don't have to ride on the highway if you don't want to.
Chicken Corners/Hurrah Pass
Jackson Hole
Sand Flats Recreation area (Fins & Things, Hell’s Revenge, Slickrock singletrack trail, Porcupine Rim)
Potash Rd./Shafer Switchbacks
Island in the Sky (Canyonlands)
White Rim Trail
Poison Spider/Golden Spike/Gold Bar Rim
Pucker Pass
Gemini Bridges
Bull Canyon
Metal Masher

There are numerous other trails/roads within reasonable riding miles of camp as well.

 

[Fred]

Thank you very much Bodi & Admiral. All good now,lots of good usefulli info there.

 

[BillPacific]

My Utility trailer is still surrounded by 1 foot of ice from all the snow this winter. I am hoping for warmer weather to melt this solid block of ice.

 

[jcaveman]

1. "Wicked Stock" mesh riding suit, check
2. Garmin GPSMAP 66i, check
   1. Charging cradle, check
   2. Handlebar mount, check
3. GoPro helmet mount, check
4. Voice recorder and lavalier mic for helmet, check
5. Shinko 244 tire, not pictured (it was delivered in Florida), check

I'm almost ready for Moab.. all I need now is a TW200!! 😂🤔

 

[BillPacific]

With the larger than normal spring melt off is there any low lying areas on the White Rim Road that could flood next month?

 

[sgtwareham]

With the larger than normal spring melt off is there any low lying areas on the White Rim Road that could flood next month?

Suppose it's possible....IIRC there are some pretty big dry creek/sand washes in there toward the beginning of the trail. Would be surprised if anything in there that might get closed would stay closed for very long though.

 

[Fred]

Park Service can always be called seeking current road conditions on the White Rim.
Between Mineral Bottom and the actual park boundary there are some low laying silt beds that depending on recent vehicle use can be firm, deep churned silt or have muddy ruts. Anorther mile or so south we once had to cross a flowing stream a foot deep from previous day's rains, not a big issue then.
Tidwell Bottom?

 

[BillPacific]

That all looks fun crossing big streams

 

[Fred]

We scouted for a deep channel with longest stick available first. Satisfied, things then became fun. I still managed to overtop my boots so had water cooled feet for balance of the day.

 

[JustPassinThru]

Things are shaping up for an abbreviated stay with you folks. I do have to be back here on the 18th; but there's no reason why I can't leave a bit earlier to compensate. If nobody's here, I'll just set up somewhere.

That, and communications. Those were difficult last time - I don't have a smartphone.

On the plus side, I have a better tire on the front; and have saddlebag racks on order. I already have Rotopax bottles for water and gasoline. So this time I won't have a Harbor Freight box on the back, bouncing about to come off.

These sites...are they okay for a two-axle RV trailer? It's lightly lifted - the "Extreme" model - and I have 4wd; but there's limits, and I do not have a winch on the truck. The October Moab crew knows, I need nothing - self-contained in water and power. Only thing I had to go out for was Diet Coke (and to top off the beer supply for the crew).

Gonna try hard. Seems, these days, I'm as busy now in retirement as I was when workin' onna railroad.

 

[sgtwareham]

Dates? Camp or lodging plans? Who plans to come?

EDIT: Thanks to Trial Run for the follwing updates.


Dates: April 10ish - 20ish seems to be how it's sorting out.

Attendees:
1. Appleguy and Family (3) Arrive 10 Depart 17-20
2. Admirals and Family (4-5) Arrive 12 Depart 17
3. Fred - another firm definite Maybe 4/12-4/17
4. TrialRun Arrive 11-12 Depart 17-18
5. Bodi ???
6. Usernamenottaken 4/10 - 4-17
7. Jcaveman 4/7 to ?
8.Just Passing Through - a Firm definite Maybe
9. Plumbstraight ?


Moab Camp Location: TBD, but Admirals propose South of town to try a new area due to having ridden the north-of-town trails many times. And no one has disagreed with this as a group location yet.

Pre and Post Moab:
Pre:
Fred - maybe Needles and/or Monument Valley.
TrialRun - interested in going somewhere before and may arrive to visit Monument Valley or somewhere else in the S.E area.

I'm planning to be down from the 11th to the 13th. If anyone is still in town on the 16th, I could come back down (Dori123 and I will be in Green River on the 14th and 15th.)

Unfortunately, Dori123 probably won't be down to Moab this year (someone needs to check in on the last kid in the nest.) 😎

Getting stoked to see you guys!

 

[Fred]

Getting stoked myself too but fear I may need to cancel.
Getting MRI results on eve of intended departure and fear prognosis may not be good for motorcycling. Haven't had my customary riding last few months to keep in shape either, yet hope with miracle of modern symptom supressant medications and a well developed sense of denial I can come have some fun with y'all.

 

[Purple]

Hang on in there Fred - them's the perils of going to the Docs (found that out the hard way myself) - mixed blessing either way - ( takes some chewing on)

Play it by ear - the show 'aint over till the fat lady sings ........