Moab Rim Trail

by The Flatlander for

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Summary: The 4+ rated Moab Rim trail ascends steeply tilted rock strata to climb to the top corner (and beyond) of the Moab Rim at the Colorado River just east of Moab. Dangerous obstacles, spectacular views in all directions and ancient Indian ruins add excitement to the trip.

Location: Leave Highway 191 in Moab going west on Kane Creek Road near McDonald's. The trail head is only about two and a half miles down Kane Creek Road. The first portion of the trail doubles back and parallels the Colorado River above the road you drove in on.

Scenery: Initially the magnificent views of the Colorado River gorge are captivating, but be careful, you are very near the edge and it is a long way down! From the top of the Moab Rim, views of Moab, the Moab valley, the La Sal Mountains, and Arches National Park are spell binding on a clear day. High points latter on in the trail also afford interesting views into the Behind the Rocks area to the south. Prehistoric Indian Ruins are a key feature of this trail. Just a short (but steep) walk from the ruins that dominate some high ground allows inspection of hundreds of prehistoric petroglyphs on the canyon walls. What do these petroglyphs mean? What was life like for these ancient Indians? Where did they come from and where did they go and why? There are theories but no generally accepted answers. Enjoy a little time speculating on these mysteries as you inspect the ruins and petroglyphs.

The Trail: The Moab Rim trail is very difficult. Broken axles, gears and roll overs are not uncommon. The first major obstacle is the Devil's Crack. Vehicles without lockers will have a hard time keeping enough tires on the ground to maintain traction as they climb this ledge and turn at the same time. Be careful, it is easy to lay your 4X4 on the side here and it is very near the gorge and it is a long, long way down. The next major obstacle is the "Z" turn. It requires a sharp right and then a left while climbing steep irregular rock ledges. This is another place where a 4X4 can end up on it's side or worse. At least it is not so close to the Colorado River gorge. Toward the end of the trail is an optional rock dome with a steep 85% grade.

4X4NOW Same Day
Jeep Safari Trail Report
Saturday, March 22, 1997

The weather was great as we lined up for the Moab Rim trail at the Hogi Yogi Restaurant on main street in Moab. Trail leader, Dar Colton, checked off the license plates and got the show on the road promptly. It's just a short drive to the trail head where everyone aired down. We had a very nice sized group of 12 vehicles to start the day out with.

But that was to change quickly as a Green TLC dropped its drive shaft before the first major obstacle just a short distance from the pavement. Another vehicle sprung a leak in its power steering and then there were ten. The tail gunner helped make sure they all got back to the highway.

Jim Dordaller makes easy work of the Devil's Crack in his well built CJ. Burned clutches and broken gears are not uncommon here. A Nissan pickup in our group required a strap after toasting his clutch. He had a similar problem at the Z-turn and decided to turn back to the Highway.

Tires were spinning today on the last ledge of the Z-turn. None of our group made a faultless run on the obstacle. But all the remaining 4Xs made it up on their own power.

Once everyone had taken their fill of the view from the top we headed south back into the rocks and enjoyed a scenic drive with less challenging obstacles.

The optional 85% grade climb up the slickrock dome on the back of the trail will get your blood pumping. No one in our group had any problems but it wouldn't be hard to get sideways and roll and I'd hate to think of an engine dying and having to either start again on the slope or back down.

Next was the Sand Hill. This long run on loose dry sand is best done with extremely low air pressure in the tires, high PRMs and a good running start. See a Quick Time Video of Jim Dordaller's run.

Dar Colton demonstrates how to do one of the optional obstacles on the way back. It's more difficult when this hole is filled with stagnant water - as it often is.

John Bozung tries to repair some clutch linkage. It didn't hold and John had to drive out in first gear including starting in gear whenever he had to stop. On one occasion his battery was just not up to it and we witnessed a very interesting demonstration of how to jump start a Jeep in gear. Trail Gunner, Ron Winn, pulled the cables off as soon as John's Jeep started moving, then walked along side coiling up the jumpers, handed them to John and then closed the hood as John continued at idle in granny low.

Ron cautiously approaches the Devil's Crack on the way back down to the pavement. Caution is advised as it is very easy to get "tipsy" with incorrect tire placement.

It was a nice warm (nearly hot) mostly sunny day. We got 75% of the vehicles through the trail that we started with and they were all great people to spend time with. The Moab Rim is normally a short trial, even with the hike over to the Anasazi ruins and some breakdowns we were back on the pavement before 4:00 p.m.

1998 Moab Rim Report
1996 Moab Rim Report

34th Annual Easter Jeep Safari (2000)
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31st Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1997)
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Moab, Utah, 4WD Trails Map with Links to all 30 Trails
Trail Difficulty Ratings

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