Moab, for the Unexperienced.....

[Mannygrover]

In about a week's time, I and a friend will descend upon Moab, with a Toyota 4Runner, TRD Off Road, 2018, with a fresh set of off-road capable tires,
and could use a suggestion or two of where to apply ourselves (which trails to consider), which would maximize good
exposure, offer a light to moderate level of challenge, and likely result in the vehicle Not being in need of a Body Shop, on the far side.
Please think of it as a stimulating "Starter Kit", with a low probability of regrets.....
If you have a sense of where it would be good to stay in Moab, all the better....we don't require any Mints on our pillows, but
similarly, like a clean and highly functional operation...just wish to avoid getting our heads ripped off, financially.
Any input along these lines would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JCWages]

Hurrah Pass and Chicken Corners. Easy trails with some interesting side trail features to play on as you learn your rig. The views are outstanding!

The first 3 hotels as you cross the bridge by Arches are all nice.

 

[Mannygrover]

Thanks for the input....

 

[JCWages]

This is a great resource to get you started.

Trails - FunTreks

funtreks.com

I bought the hardcopy and download gpx files for GAIA.

 

[Rolando]

Long Canyon - easy and you can take a "truck under the rock" photo.

 

[Itacal]

This is a great resource to get you started.

Trails - FunTreks

funtreks.com

I bought the hardcopy and download gpx files for GAIA.

Wow! That is an amazing resource ... Thank you for posting the link!

 

[huachuca]

Shafer trail - Not difficult but you can get some great photos to impress family & friends with your boldness.

Al

 

[BCMoto]

So I was just there earlier this moth and chicken corners and hurrah pass is easy, shaffer trail was closed due to snow but others were open. Go try out fins and things also that was fun for our first time. Also potash all the way to shaffer trail is open and easy. We also camped most of the time but we did stay at the hyatt moab and it was nice free breakfast also and homewood suites was nice because you got a kitchen and fridge

 

[Sparksalot]

Wow! That is an amazing resource ... Thank you for posting the link!

Likewise! Bookmarked.

 

[darjo242]

Hurrah Pass and Chicken Corners. Easy trails with some interesting side trail features to play on as you learn your rig. The views are outstanding!

The first 3 hotels as you cross the bridge by Arches are all nice.

Chicken Corners is fun. Ran that one my last trip out to Moab. Spent a good part of the day on it poking around and exploring spurs and taking in the views.

 

[Mannygrover]

All of thisis extremely helpful. Thanks to all for your constructive input.

 

[JimBill]

This is a great resource to get you started.

Trails - FunTreks

funtreks.com

I bought the hardcopy and download gpx files for GAIA.

Headed to MOAB area late April and we are still working out a good part of the trip. The info in the link will help a lot, thanks!

 

[darjo242]

Headed to MOAB area late April and we are still working out a good part of the trip. The info in the link will help a lot, thanks!

Also, while you there, if you hit Back of Beyond Books, in down town, they have a couple other Utah specific trail guides that cover more trails than the FunTrek book for sale as well as local trail maps.

 

[Anak]

Shafer trail, down the White Rim trail (permit required for that--check with Canyonlands for availability) and then down Lathrop Canyon. That will take you all the way from the top of the mesas down to the bank of the Colorado River. Nothing likely to give you any rock rash. The top of Lathrop is a bit steep and rocky. Probably want 4-low for it, but nothing particularly technical.

Note that when you leave Moab you will be trying to figure out how soon you can get back and do all the other things you saw but didn't have time for.

 

[BCMoto]

Note that when you leave Moab you will be trying to figure out how soon you can get back and do all the other things you saw but didn't have time for.

Since we were just there I can say this is true, on the last day we were planning our trip back already hahahah so many more trails I wanna do. Not sure if ill camp most of the time or get a room tho

 

[WAYAWAY]

Shafer trail - Not difficult but you can get some great photos to impress family & friends with your boldness.

Al

Second on Shafer Trail.
You can go from Canyonlands all the way back to town via the Potash road. Really fun, and for part of the time you are following the river.

 

[sean.reyes]

Shafer Trail down from Canyonlands down to White Rim Trail, incredible views all the way down, very few people, easy going trails with challenges if you want.

Onion Creek is interesting, but might be dry.

Chicken Corners for sure, excellent views.

 

[huachuca]

For those planning to camp, the BLM Horsethief campground off 313 between Moab and Canyonlands NP is a step up from pure boondocking and right in the middle of a lot of great trails. Clean pit toilets and large sites but no water. Plenty of places in Moab for free water; we fill up at Jaycee Park beside the river on the edge of town. Gemini Bridges Trail is nearby. We’ll be back in May/June.

Al

 

[WAYAWAY]

Panorama taken here:
38°27'03.0"N 109°49'11.0"W




This was the first time I traveled that road.. the second was in the snow and rain. Both times - really damned fun.

 

[BPCLFD]

Trails Offroad: Explore the Best 4x4, ATV, Overland, Jeep, and Truck Offroad Trails in Your Area | Trails Offroad is another get resource. Every trail is rated with description , GPS routes can be downloaded into GAIA. I think its $25 bucks a yr You can't throw a rock without hitting a awesome trail enjoy.