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
Sunday, April 13, 1998

Photos by Sharon

About 25 4Xs lined up at Hogi Yogi for the last day of the 32nd Annual Jeep Safari.  Trail leader Chuck Rupp lead us out the short trip to the trail head where we aired down.

We're associate members of the Red Rock 4-Wheelers and as such help out at Safari as much as we can.  Today we were "gunners", helpers who assist the trail leader in the paperwork and keeping the trail moving.  Chuck put us in the middle of the group in the   "waist gunner" position. 

Soon we were climbing up tilted rock layers along the sheer drop into the Colorado River.  The views here are breathtaking and the short distance between you and the sheer drop off is more the a little uncomfortable.

Very shortly after starting up the Devil's Crack looms ahead.  It is especially difficult for open axle vehicles that need to maneuver close to the edge of the drop off in order to get a straight on approach and avoid getting a tire in the air.  Lockered vehicles like the 4X4NOW TJ have a much easier time.  At a press of the dash mounted ARB Air Locker switch the rear axle was locked and the obstacle was soon in the rear view mirror.

Several unnamed irregular ledges later the Z-turn threatens.  This back to back hard right and left up steep ledges has sent many a 4X4 limping back down looking for a place to fix the damage the attempt at this obstacle caused.  One Jeep in our group slid to its right side into a tall boulder and sustained a little body damage.

There are often more spinning tires on the left turn at the top than at the right turn at the bottom.   Most of our group got through with little difficulty.

The sun peaked out and allowed Sharon to capture this exquisite view of a Jeep coming up the trail with the Colorado River gorge in the background.  She then drove the rest of the way up and enjoyed negotiating several rock ledges along the way.  I can see I'm not going to be be able to get as much wheel time as I used to.

There is a splindid view from the top of the rim including Moab, Arches National Park and the La Sal Mountains.  The weather somewhat subdued the view today but it was still worth the short walk over to the edge.

An optional steep slick rock dome offers additional challenge.  It is said to be about an 85% grade.  It feels and looks much steeper from the inside of a 4X4.

Normally a lunch break is taken just the other side of the dome where there is an excellent view from the elevated slick rock.  But today it was too cold and windy.

From the dome we worked our way over to an area where some Indian ruins and rock art could be accessed with a steep hike.  We had lunch there and Sharon got some photos of the extensive rock art.  This rock art was etched into the cliff walls hundreds of years ago.  For some reason the peaceful Anasazi Indians that made these etchings left the area centuries before the white man arrived.  Just why they left remains a mystery.

On the way back a slightly different route is taken to the Colorado gorge.   This affords the opportunity to try your luck at a steep long sand hill run.   I aired down to 8 psi which is a little high but the 4X4NOW TJ was the only one to make it to the top of the steepest run on the first try.  See a Quick Time video clip of the 4X4NOW TJ negotiating the Sand Hill.

Going back down the spectacular views of the Colorado River gorge are much easier to appreciate.

The 4X4NOW TJ lumbered easily down the Z-turn and headed for the Devil's Crack.  I was a little saddened to realize this was the last trail on the last day of the 32nd Annual Jeep Safari.  But we'll be back next year.

The 4X4NOW TJ walks down the last obstacle.  Care needs to be taken on all these obstacles.  Just as many or more 4Xs have been laid on there side going down as up.  But nobody in our group had any problems.  We were headed back to town by 4 p.m.

1997 Moab Rim Report
1996 Moab Rim Report

34th Annual Easter Jeep Safari (2000)
33rd Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1999)
32nd Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1998)
31st Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1997)
30th Annual Easter Jeep Safari (1996)
Moab, Utah, 4WD Trails Map with Links to all 30 Trails
Trail Difficulty Ratings

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