Early Season Moab Trip Report

[BobMc]

I just got back from Moab a few hours ago. The truck is unloaded, I'm showered (yup, the usual red water in the bottom of the tub), and I've got a few pictures uploaded.

What a trip, the Frozen family is awesome. We attempted to find the Altagirls, and GT40, to no avail.

I woke up Saturday morning and called Frozen at 7:30, I attempted to use the kids as an excuse we couldn't leave yet. I think Fred saw through this ruse, my own laziness was truly the reason. For some strange reason I'm slow to awake and even slower to get going in the morning.

It was about 10am when we were finally on the road and making the 3-4 hour drive down to Moab. After a pretty uneventful drive, well, except for a bit of whining and fighting by the kids, we finally arrived in Moab.

I did my normal fill up at the Maverick, picked up some batteries for the GPS, and headed onto Kane Creek. We were on the look-out for Fred's truck and GT40's motorhome. No motorhome, but just before the last water crossing we found the Frozen family ATV'ing it down the road. Fred found a better campsite than the first proposed one and we were camping.

After setting up the tent and pop-up Fred and I went for a ride on the 4-wheelers. Damn, those things are pretty fun, I got going about 56 or so once, scared the crap out of me.

After a splendid dinner, (Frozen's wife's camping culinary skills are dialed in pretty well.), we started a fire and started the drinking. Of course I had pretty much popped a beer as soon as we had hit the dirt. After a bit of star-gazing, conversation, and just all around good times the kids and wives went to bed.

Part of the post you shouldn't read if you are sensitive to attempted mouse destruction

While drinking and chatting Frozen and I discovered we had a visitor. Apparently a mouse lived near this campsite and was quite bold.

The alcohol quotient was now high enough for us to begin to devise ways of his downfall. Our first attempt was an utter failure. Coleman lantern fuel just doesn't stay around in the desert. A trail to an attempted puddle vanished into the dry desert. Yes indeed, our first idea was to burn him in a spectacular display of fire.

This of course ended up in nothing, our drunk asses wondering why our trail of fuel wouldn't catch. We briefly discussed bringing gunpowder next time. Then we hit on a better idea, bait him in and chuck rocks at him.

The Combatants:


Frozen

http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/Frozenmousehunt.jpg


BobMc

http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/BobMcmousehunt.jpg


Mickey

http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/Mousehunt.jpg


This game went on for several hours, I'm not sure if his reflexes got quicker or we became drunker. I'd guess on the latter. None the less, he's still there. Discussions of pellet guns for the next trip ensued.

End of Attempted Mouse Destruction

The next morning we woke to another perfect day. A breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, OJ, prepared us for the day. It was decided to take a spin up Kane Creek Springs.

The BobMc family was encased in the Tacoma, the Frozen family was astride the two four-wheelers. There were a few nervous moments early on in the trail as we all attempted to get back into the 4x4 mode. I neglected to lock in four wheel drive in an attempt to traverse a shelf and a couple steps with a ravine perilously close to the left. Fred was standing on the side of my truck as it slipped backwards and dangled a tire over the abyss. Actually to say I was nervous is probably an understatement. I was scared as hell, visions of my truck tumbling down a ravine were firmly in my mind.

After about 12 miles we finally reached a point I wasn't willing to risk. Thoughts of body damage and the fact I had to drive this truck back 225 miles to SLC caused me to pass on the final obstacle of the trail. In retrospect I wish I would have tried, but then again my truck is still in one piece.

We got back to the campsite and the MrsFrozen produced a bounty of lunchable goodies. After a quick dismantling of the campsite (and a pass ensuring we left nothing a took a bit other's trash with us) we headed back to SLC.

Damn, what a fine weekend. Too bad we didn't find the AltaGirls or GT40. But then again, us 4x4 jongs probably would have just held you folks up. I just don't think I could keep up with motorcycles on a 3+ trail, not without shaking the crap out of the kids, heh.

A parting shot:

http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/Frozencamping.jpg


A big thanks to the Frozen family,

BobMc

[altagirl]

We were camped in the big open field section of the Kane Creek campground. Rotney's new trailer is too freaking big to fit in any normal campsite anymore. We looked up and down the road but didn't see you guys - looking at your pictures I guess we just didn't go far enough down the road - I think I recognize the spot now.... Guess we'll have to come up with a more specific plan next time before we leave areas with cell phone coverage!


GT40 found us Friday night right after we got back from Kane Creek and he got back from Slickrock and we all set up camp. We had a great time riding all weekend, and for the first time in ages, I returned from a Moab trip without wrecking myself or breaking bikes. Mountain biked Amasa Back, dirt biked Kane Creek, Slickrock (and rode up Sand Flats to check the snow line) and Monitor and Merrimac (which is one of those trails where you wonder what the people without motorized transportation were thinking and what revenge they're planning for the person who told them a slog though beach sand in the middle of the desert would be fun on a mountain bike.)


Sorry we missed you guys! Hopefully next weekend will be powder days instead, but we'll be back down there again soon.

[frozenwater]

edit- damn pictures won't link. see post below, he is smarter than I is.

[Tippster]

Originally posted by frozenwater
The morning began with an argument. My wife wanted to stay in bed, I wanted to get up so we could make our 8:00 meeting with Bob.

As usual, even when I win I loose. After getting everyone up we get the call, start without us. - Damn. Score one for Mrs. Frozen.

Once we actually get to moab the hunt began in earnest. I asked everyone actually IN the canyon if they knew gt40 or The skiergirls. Wierd glances, shaking heads, and veiled threats yielded nothingl.

I did not take the hunt further afield because, come on, who actualy camps in the lot ABOVE the canyon???

In disgust I turned the Atv's back to camp. Suddenly, in a plume of dust, a damn tacomma threatens to run me off the road. I'm doing 50, how fast is this thing going??

BobMc trying to run me over, thankfully I was able to jump out of the way and take this pic simultaneously.
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...trucksmall.JPG

I give the jerk the bird and he hits the brakes. woops, it's BobMc and family. After agreeing to pay for his kids counseling for the damage I had done, we made camp.

I sent my oldest to take bobMc's oldest "down the river"
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...ds%20small.jpg

to eliminate some of the couneseling cost, but she misunderstood, and actually took him done the river.

Having failed so far at everything attempted I set my sights lower. Get drunk, kill a mouse with a rock. Bobmc already detailed this, but I will add that was one smart mouse, and I am buying a flame thrower.

The next day dawned bright and early and we were off to destroy each others vehicles on a 3.5 trail.

I must admit to feeling a little foolish when I was traversing a difficult section with much fear and trepidation when a 200+ pound woman complete with a broken leg passed me up.

Having been outdone in the 4 wheelin arena as well, it was time to go home.

Helluva trip, the Mc's are awesome camping buddies and thanks to them for making it such a great time.

I also do windows...

[BobMc]

Originally posted by frozenwater
I must admit to feeling a little foolish when I was traversing a difficult section with much fear and trepidation when a 200+ pound woman complete with a broken leg passed me up.

That was some funny shit. You forgot to add she was at least in her 50's, and smoking a cigarette at the time.

They were some pretty cool people. Quite a pair, Frozen's estimation is probably a bit low, her husband was thin as a rail. We stopped and talked to them several times on our journey through the canyon.

They were retired and living life on the road, motorhoming it. ATV'ing all over the country. That's the way I want to do it.

BobMc