Fins & Things Trail

by The Flatlander for

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Summary: The 3 1/2 rated Fins and Things trail runs along both sides of Sand Flats Road between the much more difficult Hell's Revenge trail and the much higher Porcupine Rim trail. Steep climbs up and descents down Navajo Sandstone slickrock fins provide the excitement and the "things" leftover as the sandstone erodes provide interesting views.

Location: The trail starts several miles east of Moab on Sand Flats Road. You will pass the Moab Dump, Lion's Back, Hell's Revenge and the Slick Rock Bike Trail along the way. The trail starts on the right, but there are many turn offs and the trail route is intersected by other trails at many points along the way. So it is hard to follow without a trail leader that is familiar with it. The trail works the slick rock fins on the south side of the road in an easterly direction until it nears the turn off for Porcupine Rim. Then it crosses Sand Flats Road and works the fins on the north side in a westerly direction back toward the Slick Rock Bike Trail.

Scenery: The scenery, as usual in this area, is exquisite. Views of the snow capped La Sal Mountains and the Porcupine Rim Ridge dominate to the east. There are some glimpses down into Negro Bill Canyon to the north. But most interesting are the sandstone "Fins & Things".

The Trail: Most of the trail is slick rock but there is some loose deep sand. One steep sand hill near the beginning of the trail will give some vehicles problems if it is very dry. There are several steep ups and downs on slick rock that give definition to the "daring" mentioned in the description of the 3 1/2 trail rating this trail caries. Frenchie's Fin and Ken's Climb are about as steep as can be done. Drivers with near stock vehicles and little experience are well advised to take the bypass at Ken's Climb.

Flatlander's Trail Report, Thursday, April 4, 1996:

Click the small pictures to view 640X480X16 million color versions.

Gene Ferris was our trail leader for the Fins & Things trail. When he is in a less official capacity he likes to use the handle "Lizard". Gene is one of the many Red Rock 4-Wheeler Associate members who volunteer their time to make the Safari possible. Gene takes the entire week off and either pre-runs or leads a trail just about every day of the Safari. He is one of the best trail leaders and is very conscientious and very considerate of the 4-Wheelers on his trails. Hmmm, he does look a little rough near the end of the Safari though, all this trail leading seems to be taking it's toll. Maybe he needs a day off. He'll be joining us tomorrow for the Pritchett Canyon run. Hope he's looking better than this Saturday when I will be working for him on the Porcupine Rim run.

This is a 3 1/2 Rated trail, suitable for stock vehicles with some daring and considerable driving skill needed. I found out where the "daring" came in fast as Gene lead us up and down some very steep slickrock.

This was one of the trails that filled up early at this year's Safari. Perhaps partly due to an article on it from last year's Safari in Four Wheeler Magazine. It's amazing the distance people come to attend the Safari. This group came all the way from Germany and seemed to be having a great time. At the Associate Members party last night the prize for the Associate Red Rock 4-Wheeler Member that had come the farthest to attend the Safari went to a 4-wheeler from Liechtenstein, the very small country in Europe.

This little bump of slickrock is worse than it looks. I didn't feed the little squirrels in my little 2.9L squirrel cage engine enough and they quit on me half way up. So I had to back down and try again. I hate when that happens.

This is a view of our group driving on top of the sandstone fins in the area. I could have posted a dozen similar pictures. The scenery and weather was great as seems to be the norm here.

This is Ken's Climb. It is a 35 degree slope which is about as steep as an excellent stock 4WD can climb. At least one vehicle tried and ended up with tires spinning forward but the vehicle slipping backwards down the slickrock. Obviously this is very dangerous as when the tires start spinning it is all to easy to get sideways and roll. Gene pointed out the bypass and suggested we use it.

We had another great day on the trail. We had about 50 4WDs with us this time but Gene did his usual excellent job as a trail leader and got us through in good time whith no accidents or broken vehicles.

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
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