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.

Flatlander's Trail Report, Saturday, March 30, 1996:

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

It was a beautiful morning for the beginning of the 30th Annual Jeep Safari as everyone lined up at the Moab Community Center to pick up their registration packets. I especially appreciated the sunshine and shirt sleeve weather as we had just had a blizzard in Nebraska on Monday. It's very nice to feel so welcome. Moab has signs everywhere welcoming Jeep Safari participants. The Moab Rim is part of the colorful cliff in the background.

This is a view of the Moab Rim from the other side of the Colorado River. The trail climbs up along the sloping strata. The start of the trail is off the picture to the right. The trail climbs to the high point where the view is spectacular. The climb is so steep that my windshield washers kept squirting at me because the reservoir was higher than the spray nozzles as we went up the trail.

This is a view back toward the Colorado River as we climbed the trail. It's a long drop off straight into the Colorado River and the Devil's Crack is right next to that drop off. So that obstacle really gets your attention.

The Poison Spider and Golden Spike Trails are just beyond the cliff face in the background, across the Colorado River. I'll be on the Golden Spike tomorrow. The small arch toward the top above the trail leader's 4X4 can be reached with a short walk off the Poison Spider Trail.

This is the view of Moab and the La Sal Mountains from the top of the Rim. It is magnificent! You can even see some of the Arches in Arches National park looking farther to the North.

This little Cherokee made easy work of this 85% grade slickrock dome. Not everyone did. Most ended up spinning their tires on the first try and had to try it again with a little momentum. This is one of the optional obstacles on the trail.

Our group got a chance to hike over and see some old Indian ruins and petroglyphs. The walls of this canyon were covered with them. Normally you only get to do this if you sign up for the Moab Rim with Hike trail.

This is the optional sand hill obstacle. It is very steep and the sand is loose and dry. Only two members of our group made it up. With 6 lbs of air in my Moab BFG radials, in first gear, reving 6.000 RPM I made it on the first try. Lots of rigs with a lot more horse power than my little Bronco II didn't make it. Airing down to very low tire pressure is the secret.

Our group of 19 4X4s didn't have much problem. A U-joint in one drive shaft went out but it was fixed quickly. Non-Safari 4-wheelers didn't fare so well. A group that was coming up as we went back down managed to lay a flatfender on its' side on the Z-turn. They got it upright and back down on their own though.

1998 Moab Rim Report
1997 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

Utah Trail Guidebooks, Trail Maps, and Trail Videos

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