"The Pickle" of Moab, Utah

By Andi Vogt
Associate Editor
Trails and Travels The pickle is located in a beautiful canyon wash just off of the Barlett Wash Trail. It consists of sandy bottoms, tall rock ledges and extremely narrow off-camber squeezes. This trail is definitely not for full sized or long wheel based vehicles.

Our rides consisted of a Wrangler YJ driven by Steve Nantz and Kevin Hawkins' 1948 Willys. It had recently snowed in Moab, and in the shady ravines, we found the remnants.

  The first obstacle, the Slab, is a two-tiered ledge climb of red slickrock and sand. It is a climb similar to a waterfall with an eroded "slab" of slickrock for the base and two sandy, rocky ledges.   A small winding through the wash brings a rock formation reminiscent of Balancing Rock. Dead center in the wash, this formation is definitely top heavy and appears to only need a slight bump to topple.   The "Pickle" hides around a wall appearing to be impassable. It's walls are sharp and ragged with a floor that climbs steeply to your right. As you enter the Pickle, you soon get the feeling that the higher you climb the right the better off you will be. This is wrong, however.

The steep slope will put you on an angle causing the top left of your roll bar to rub the left rock face. The higher you climb to your right, the more likely it will be to incur damage to your left. It is advised you remove your soft top and fold in your side mirrors. You might want to expect damage to your windshield frame.

Following the Pickle is a Ravine surrounded by sheer ledges. Appropriate placement of your tires and a willingness to risk severe body damage will ensure your successful completion of this 2 1/2 foot deep, bypassable obstacle.   The Wishbone is a rocky ledge with a tendency to bite your rear end when wet or snowy. It is a washout with ledges on three sides. The Pickle trail is short, but full of fun and beauty.