'Gotta get out' Moab Weekend
#1
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
'Gotta get out' Moab Weekend
After finally getting my Jeep trail ready again (new head gasket, oil pan, rear main seal, oil filter o-rings, front wheel bearing, driver’s seat, windshield and a fresh coat of paint on the front bumper) and realizing I had not gone out exploring in my Jeep for two months, it was time for me to get out again. What better place to go than Moab?
I decided to stick to the Island Area northwest of Moab for this trip. Bright and early Saturday morning Amanda and I hit the road and made out way to the Horsethief campground just off of Highway 313. After setting up camp we made our way over to the Dellenbaugh Tunnel. The last time I was at this tunnel was in 2007, however I was short on time that trip and didn't get to explore too much.
After finding two geocaches near the tunnel we turned around and headed back and stopped to check out and photograph this water-carved wash nearby.
Our next destination was Secret Spire. We made our way back past Tombstone Rock and took a small detour to check out Juniper Arch on the way.
I decided to stick to the Island Area northwest of Moab for this trip. Bright and early Saturday morning Amanda and I hit the road and made out way to the Horsethief campground just off of Highway 313. After setting up camp we made our way over to the Dellenbaugh Tunnel. The last time I was at this tunnel was in 2007, however I was short on time that trip and didn't get to explore too much.
After finding two geocaches near the tunnel we turned around and headed back and stopped to check out and photograph this water-carved wash nearby.
Our next destination was Secret Spire. We made our way back past Tombstone Rock and took a small detour to check out Juniper Arch on the way.
#2
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Once at Secret Spire I got out the tripod and starting to take some photos while Amanda located a nearby cache.
Holding it up
After leaving Secret Spire it was just about lunch time, so we drove on over to Spring Canyon Point where we had some lunch and found yet another cache above the Green River.
Next we were off to see Tusher Tunnel. I had been here back in 2003, but Amanda has never been. We cut across via the Bartlett Wash Road.
Holding it up
After leaving Secret Spire it was just about lunch time, so we drove on over to Spring Canyon Point where we had some lunch and found yet another cache above the Green River.
Next we were off to see Tusher Tunnel. I had been here back in 2003, but Amanda has never been. We cut across via the Bartlett Wash Road.
#3
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
From the tunnel, Amanda wanted to head over to the Monitor and Merrimac buttes. After studying the maps I had with me, I found the Mill Canyon road should take us right to them. However, when we tried this route, we came across a freshly installed gate across the road that prohibited all motorized vehicles. I guess this route was closed with the new travel management plan....I need to print out those new maps one of these days....
Instead we ended up heading into Arches via Willow Springs Road before heading into town to grab some dinner. After our meal we headed back to camp and turned in early for the night.
Sunday morning we broke down camp in the very gusty winds and headed for Canyonlands. My goal for the day was to make it down to the Colorado River via Lathrop Canyon. We made our way down the Shafer switchbacks and started on down the White Rim trail.
Stopped at the Colorado River overlook
Then Musselman Arch
Walking Rocks
Instead we ended up heading into Arches via Willow Springs Road before heading into town to grab some dinner. After our meal we headed back to camp and turned in early for the night.
Sunday morning we broke down camp in the very gusty winds and headed for Canyonlands. My goal for the day was to make it down to the Colorado River via Lathrop Canyon. We made our way down the Shafer switchbacks and started on down the White Rim trail.
Stopped at the Colorado River overlook
Then Musselman Arch
Walking Rocks
#4
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
A short distance after leaving Musselman Arch, I noticed my Jeep was a little crooked in the back and got out to investigate. What I found was the the main leaf on the passenger side had broken in two.
Nice view where I stopped to check on my Jeep
Sagging on the passenger side
Not having a spare spring, I decided our best bet was to turn around and slowly make our way home. Lathrop Canyon would have to wait for another trip. We backtracked the small section of the White Rim trail we had already traveled and then headed back to Moab by Potash Road. We grabbed some lunch in town and slowly made our way home, sticking to the backroads whenever possible.
Leaving Canyonlands
Along the Potash Road
Check out the full gallery here: http://myxj.net/g2/v/2009_adventures/moab_in_march/
Nice view where I stopped to check on my Jeep
Sagging on the passenger side
Not having a spare spring, I decided our best bet was to turn around and slowly make our way home. Lathrop Canyon would have to wait for another trip. We backtracked the small section of the White Rim trail we had already traveled and then headed back to Moab by Potash Road. We grabbed some lunch in town and slowly made our way home, sticking to the backroads whenever possible.
Leaving Canyonlands
Along the Potash Road
Check out the full gallery here: http://myxj.net/g2/v/2009_adventures/moab_in_march/
#5
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: 25 Miles From Moab!
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Awesome pics a trip Randy! Sorry to hear about the XJ troubles... at least you managed to limp home. I like the Dellenbaugh Tunnel, Secret Spire, Spring Canyon Point, Tusher Tunnel, Rainbow Terrace, Tombstone Rock, area! Lots of stuff to explore and see within a fairly close proximity of each other. Shafer is always impressive... we took my Uncle that was visiting from New Hampshire up it Saturday and he couldn't believe it. I really like the Colorado River overlook pics, nice enhancing. How about that wind and dust on Sunday huh! We were up doing Hidden Canyon Overlook - Bartlett Overlook and it was so windy at Hidden Canyon Overlook I had a hard time standing.
#7
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Happy Rock, OR
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Those are some damn fine pics and epic scenery in the SW. I can't wait until the snow melts in the high cascades to go out and do some exploring.
Trending Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Stabsthedrama
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
15
10-03-2015 05:46 PM
shadowmoses
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
6
09-30-2015 01:34 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)