Moab,Utah Rally On The Rocks

The Moab Rally on The Rocks was a success.  It was everything I expected and then some.  With the assistance of our guides, I was able to do some amazing backcountry riding. Greg and Etta (my friends from Green Bay) and I put in a lot of dirt miles. As expected, the terrain was rugged and beautiful. I put my little Polaris 800 to the test. There were times it was easier for me to punch through tight rock formation because my rig was narrower.  On one ride, some in the group nicknamed it “The Little RZR That Could”. The only casualty was one of the front suspension stabilizer sway bar broke, come to find out I don’t need it, so I’m not going to fix in until I get back home.I will let the photos tell the story.

Trail Name: Jackson Hole (62 dirt miles), was considered an easy trail. A lot of opportunity to take some photos.

      

 
  

  
  

  

  

Trail Name: Porcupine Rim (58 dirt miles), was long, bumpy and challenging. We were expecting some amazing scenery, however, about ½ hour into the ride, we were over taken by snow at the 6,500-foot level. I didn’t get many photos of the landscape, however, got good photos of us crawling over rocks and ledges.  

  

                                                                                                 Our guide and spotter
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Trail Name: Kane Creek (43 dirt miles). Going down the deep canyon of Kane Creek provided us with numerous water crossings, it was advertised as having 60 plus,some deep enough to get your feet wet. There was plenty of tight corners and wash out crossings to offer everyone the opportunity to test their driving/climbing skills and nerves as we weaved along the canyon wall. The deep canyon is beautiful from end to end but changes significantly in character from the bottom to the top end.

 

  

  

  

  

  

    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Trail Name: Devils Revenge (23 Dirt Miles). This by far is the most challenging trail I have ever been on.  Most of the trail is “Slick Rock” (sandstone) with slopes so steep you wonder if the tires can maintain traction. I good set of tires with very low pressure (4 psi) will serve you well. You start the trip by conquering the “Dump Bump” in the most difficult way to mount the sandstone fin that begins the trail, which gives you an idea what you’re in for on the remainder of the trail. Steep butt puckering climbs and descents on narrow ridge allows no room for error left or right. While climbing up all you can see is sky. The decants are no easier, at times the hood of your rig will drop a long way before you can see the narrow ridge top in front. Hells Revenge is not a place for the faint of heart. We explored places like, Hells Gate, Punch Bowel, Escalator and Roll Over Challenger.  The names tell you that you’re in for a thrill. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                                                                                  Crystal & Derek, Our guides
 
 

Hells gate , ups the ante a bit with a steep climb up a chute that narrows and steepens as it goes up. Near the top the correct Lin e is extremely important and reliance on a spotter is advised. Missing the line can result in a nasty series of rolls all the way to the bottom.

  
 

Punch Bowel, easy part is getting down, getting out is much more difficult, you must keep your machine straight and not let it start sliding along the edge of the wall. Sliding will cause you to tip over, just ask this guy.
 

This is Derek, one of our guides, he was able to handle the challenge.

 

Escalator, involves a multi tiered climb up a narrow V shaped notch in the slickrock. The correct line twists back and forth to keep out of the bottom of the notch, in places pressing the tires against the sides of the notch, and at other times featuring one of the front tires pawing at the air. Since I’m not the most experienced or brave off-road individual, I didn’t try any of these challenges myself.  I did however go with one of the guides (Crystal) she asked if I wanted to go up with her.  Since she had completed the Escalator 4 times prior, I figured I was in good hands. It was one hell of an experience. As we were coming out of the bottom bowel the passenger  front wheel came off the ground and we powered through with just the back wheels. Once we started climbing the top portion, all I could see was sky.   

  

   Crystal , our guide                             

  

Tip Over Challenger, is a rocky hill with a sandy base, that requires tight maneuvering and a good plan of attack. You must keep close to the wall wile climbing so you don't slide back down to the sand and possibly roll over.