Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursion Pictures => Topic started by: Ghost65 on December 01, 2011, 01:44:01 PM
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My son and I took a trip to Moab, Utah over the Thanksgiving holiday, as I have been promising to show him all the spots "that Dad raves about all year after the GoneMoab trip." So, without further adieu, here are a few shared shots of the trip with small narratives.
First stop, Calico Ghost town:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0001.jpg)
Alex does his best impression of a pine box filler:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0006.jpg)
The 1000' foot mine shaft walk through...yes they actually charged a dollar per person, but it was cool (literally):
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0005.jpg)
Panning for...mica:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0007.jpg)
From Calico, we traveled to Las Vegas for a basic stop over/continental breakfast. The drive from Las Vegas to Moab included a stop for "safe and sane" fireworks, some geocaching, and dinner in St. George at the knick nack infused Cracker Barrel. Brocolli cheese soup!
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The first day in Moab we tackled the Top of The World Trail, but unfortunately "Dad" forgot to charge the battery in the digital SLR, so pics were limited. Here are a few.
At the trail head of Top of The World, just off Highway 128. We aired down here and took a look at the historic Dewey Bridge:
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This water crossing has been flowing in past years, but was dry this time of year:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0017.jpg)
The Kokopelli Trail runs by here from Colorado, which we saw the trail head for later in the trip:
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This is where the camera battery died, so the only shots at the view point were taken with my iPhone. Alex and I did some geocaching (there are two at the top). We enjoyed the views and had lunch here as well.
Alex on "Top of The World":
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/ec22c514.jpg)
The Edge of The World Cache:
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Don't look down...
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On the way home from TOTW trail we stopped to geocache at Fisher Towers, which you look down on from the Top of The World viewpoint:
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After this the light was fading and we headed back to town for dinner. The plan for the next day, Thanksgiving was to hit Fin's N Things and then enjoy dinner at Moab Brewery. Camera battery charged, we headed out the next morning. Temperatures were chilly (high 30's) in the early morning and late evening, but most daytime temperatures were in the high 50's and even low 60's, so very nice.
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The next day we ran Fin's N Things, which is a great example of how to run Moab slickrock.
At the trail head:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0025.jpg)
The trail is a mixture of actual sand and slickrock, with some pretty steep ups and downs. The trick to some of the steep inclines is to look out the drivers side window and follow the black tracks laid down by many previous travelers.
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There were many challenging obstacles that I took Alex over in the Xterra, but the most feared of the trip is below:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0044.jpg)
This required several spots to navigate, and you can see we almost lost Alex when he dropped a quarter:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0045.jpg)
More slick rock and stepped descent:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0050.jpg)
This climb is referred to as Frenchies Fin, and is an almost vertical off camber climb up, that last year at GoneMoab required a winch assist for yours truly to reach the top:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Moab%20Thanksgiving%20Trip%202011/DSC_0060.jpg)
Slickrock for as far as the eye can see:
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Another great area just inside the gate of the Sand Flats recreation area is Baby Lions Back, which we climbed on our way out. You can see the entrance to the left:
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Ending the day we aired up in the parking lot just inside the gate, which is also the trail head for another popular trail, Hells Revenge:
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The day ended with Thanksgiving dinner at Moab Brewery. The turkey was excellent with a Porcupine Pilsner to wash it down:
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/9011e720.jpg)
Here is a quick little video of Kenny's Climb:
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/?action=view¤t=7b4f9366.mp4
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Great pics!
I gota get to Moab someday.
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Edge of the world cache.......freaks me out a little.
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Great pics!
I gota get to Moab someday.
Going back in May, 2012. You are more than welcome to join us.
www.gonemoab.com