1998 Easter Jeep Safari Preview

The week of April 6-12 will be the gathering of thousands of 4x4 rigs, some built, some bought. Some of these rigs will be show quality and some of these rigs have won ugly awards. Last year's Moab Easter Jeep Safari saw almost 2000 official registrations. There are 33 official trail runs to choose from ranging in difficulty from 2 to 4+. Red Rock 4-Wheelers, the Safari's host, have 162 members volunteering help with the registration process, trail leading and gunning, organization, newspaper editing and reporting, and various positions necessary for an awesome week of thrills and fun. For 32 years, the Red Rockers have put on an incredible performance. Their trail leaders have helped to teach thousands of "newbie" wheelers about safe and courteous 4-wheeling, and have shown veteran wheelers what the "pucker factor" is all about. Moab is known as a Mecca for 4-wheeling. No where else can you drive along sandstone mesas, climb mountains of slickrock, and scurry along desert ravines all in one day. There are boulders, rock walls, and off-camber cliff climbs, which take your breath away. Adrenaline junkies beware. You are in for the high of your life. Moab offers several trails for those just learning about their vehicles capabilities, or for those who have never gone off-road before. Chicken Corners and Secret Spire are good trails for getting the feel of soft dirt and sand under your tires. These trails are also great for seeing petroglyphs and caves. Registration starts with contacting Red Rock and requesting their 32nd annual Jeep Safari newspaper. This newspaper will contain your registration form and detailed information on trails, difficulty ratings, basic trail rules, maps, geography, advertisements of lodging, restaurants, parts stores and rental 4-wheel drives.

Changes/Additions:

Poison Spider Mesa is no longer a 3.5 trail. Due to erosion and heavy traffic, many of the obstacles are much tougher than in previous years. The trail is now listed as a 4. Trail difficulty guidelines for a 4 are: Trail either never bladed or badly eroded. Stock vehicles are in jeopardy. Modifications for improved off-road performance and top driving skills needed. This year will see the first Bonnet Run. This is a "lady's day special" trail scheduled for Thursday, April 9. It's for those women who would like to try some wheeling without male advice.

Trail needs and safety equipment:

Lunch, water, sodas and snacks are your responsibility so make sure you bring enough for you and your passengers. You will be on the trail for several hours as some rides last 8-10 hours if there are major breakdowns. A garbage sack is a must. Be sure to strap down all objects in your vehicle because rollovers happen. Often injuries are not caused by the roll, but by interior flying objects such as coolers, toolboxes, kid toys and unmounted fire extinguishers. Trail leaders will use their CB radios to tell you about the geography of the area and historical sites you may encounter. They also use them to inform you of dangerous sections to stay away from and help to keep your trail group together. CB radios can also help if you get lost. Sun block is a good idea as many of us have not seen the sun in several months and Moab's sun can burn you good. Don't forget the TP (Toilet Paper) and a small first aid kit. Remember you are driving a vehicle made of metal over sharp, steep rocks. Cuts and scrapes are common.

Follow the leader:

In this case, following the leader is very important, but more important is keeping an eye on the person behind you. By only going as fast as the guy following you, there will be fewer gaps in your vehicle line-up. Moab's trails are numerous and it is easy to get lost if you make a wrong turn. If this happens, contact your leader immediately by CB. You can also look for fresh tire tracks or dust clouds.

Tire pressure:

Depending on your vehicle weight, tire size and brand, and type of terrain, your tire pressure should be adjusted accordingly. Moab's terrain usually requires a psi (pounds per square inch) of no more than 20 and no less than 5. A lower psi allows for more traction and a smoother ride. However, on my Dodge Ram pick up, I run 23 psi. It is a heavy truck and has 32x11.5 Sport Kings. On my TJ, I run 12 psi with 33x12.5s BFG MTs.

Alcohol on the trail:

Red Rock 4-Wheelers will not tolerate drinking and driving. Utah law prohibits any occupant of a motorized vehicle from drinking or even opening an alcoholic beverage. To do so, endangers yourself and others on the trail, and if you are caught, you will be reported to the Sheriff's office. Remember those CB radios? Some trail leaders also have cell phones. Besides, trail guides are not the only ones that can "snitch" on you. All trail members receive a "tattle-tale card" at registration. All they have to do is fill one out and turn it in to your trail leader or one of the trail gunners. There is plenty of time after the ride to drink back at your campsite or hotel.

Weather:

There is no predicting Moab's weather. High's in the spring can range from low 60s to low 40s. Rainstorms can suddenly appear and so can snowstorms. Dress in layers and bring a blanket just in case you end up stranded. Just because it is not raining on you doesn't mean the storm you see in the distance won't effect your trail. This is the desert and you are on slickrock. The rain has to go somewhere. Many of the ravines will fill up with 2-4 feet of water and mud after a 1-hour storm. The city of Moab may end up being on the opposite side of the river you are traversing. Please do not try to cross these fast running rivers without guidance from your leader.

Accommodations:

For visitor information and other important inquiries, call 1-800-635-MOAB. These folks are loaded with information and can answer most questions or know who can.