VX only run on May 17th 2005
I know this is a long way off but since this is a long and difficult trip that I have in mind, I would like to get an idea if we should do this or not. After your reading of the trail description, I would like a head count if you are interested in this trail and want to participate.
We would begin in Moab around 7:00 AM on Tuesday May 17th. We would head south on highway 191 to Blanding Utah which is approximately 110 miles. Hence the leaving at 7:00 AM. We would top off our gas in Blanding and follow highway 95 for another 20 miles or so to where we turn back north towards Arch Canyon.
Arch Canyon has been in the news lately with the Jeep Jamboree having been denied a permit this year but went anyway with the San Juan County Sheriff and Commissioner in the lead. The BLM has filed a law suit against San Juan County and San Juan County has counter sued. All very interesting since the Wilderness groups want to shut Arch Canyon to motorized travel. The area was inhabited by pre historic Indians. There are numerous cliff dwelling sites and we will visit a couple of these on our route. There are still sites that have not been found and new artifacts are found all the time. Some of the newest are on display at the Edge of the Cedars Sate Park in Blanding. Unfortunately we won’t have time for a visit to the museum but it is well worth a return to do so on your own.
The trail to Hotel Rock from Arch Canyon is rated 4. There are a couple of difficult ledges that some may need help with. Tone may even get to use his strap he always has dangling out the back door. Should be about as tough as the place on Kane Creek we had to winch a few on last year.
The trail then winds north to an intersecting FS road and eventually ends us back in Blanding in a clockwise loop. I would not expect to get back to Moab before dark and that is if we have no problems along the way.
A word of concern if we go into Arch Canyon. Group limit is 10 vehicles so if we do go in to the canyon (we don’t have time to go to the end just to a nice ruin a mile or so in) we take the chance of having to deal with the BLM. I doubt even if we had a larger group they would issue a citation because of the pending litigation but there is a chance. This is one reason I would like to have a final vehicle count beforehand so I could prepare with some help from our friends at the county. I might even be able to arrange an escort but with no publicity I shouldn’t think it necessary.
Here is a link to the trail description written a number of years ago. The trail has changed a bit with the off camber section less scary than when the Fractured Axle group went. http://4x4now.com/arch.htm
Todd
Ps once you read the 4x4 Now story you might be interested in this one. http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/...ad.php?t=13204 It has nothing to do with the trail only that re reading the Arch Canyon article made me think of lost friends and good times. Just some reminiscing about Lizard (AKA Gene Ferris) and Sudie. Just remember this sort of thing can happen to us all and life is short.
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