Steel Bender
We got a late start but we figured this was a quick trail last time so this time it should be fast. It turned out that last time we actually skipped quite a bit of the trail so this time we did the whole thing it was quite a bit longer (about 6 hours). That got us out of Moab and headed back to Colorado a little later than we had hoped but it was worth it. This trail is such a blast!
We only had two vehicles on this last run of the Spring Moab trip for 2005. We decided to run it backwards again so we would be able to climb up the rock Wall instead of down it. Because we started it in the morning this time we spotted the huge waterfall that is off to the side of the road as you drive into the hills. Next time if we have time we'll have to explore that area.
We crossed the first river crossing and it was deep but there weren't any concerns. Coming out of the trees we immediately started in on some fun rocks to climb. We were running along in the same direction as a couple large groups of mountain bikes but they were usually faster than we were so they would be ahead of us for most of the trail. We would continue to see them for most of the day. Everyone was very friendly and it was nice meeting them.
We had fun playing on the different rocky sections and dropping down big ledges (and hearing our bumpers hit). Robert had dropped his tire into what is now known as a "Robert Hole" (a hole that your tire falls in by surprise) and Monica pointed one of these holes out on one of the obstacles. Sure enough, Robert drove right into it but luckily he was able to get right back out of it. Robert's tires really like those holes.
We were on another fun obstacle of rock when we met up with two other Jeeps coming up the other direction. We stopped and chatted for awhile and got to watch them do the obstacle and they watched us. We went up and down the rocks and had a blast.
We got to the Dragon's Tail and we both went down it with a few hits to bumpers but nothing serious. Robert came up it and made it look easy. Monica came up next and climbed way too high on the wall, getting herself pretty tippy and making it impossible to continue. Robert got her backed off and down so she could try again, this time successfully. We played a little bit more in the Dragon's Tail, then continued on.
It was just about lunch time when we came around the corner to see the rocky mess just before the Wall. We walked up to it to find another group coming down toward it. We all checked it out and luckily the other group let us go first.
Robert tried it first and though he came close it wasn't going to happen. Someone in the other group winched him up and over the hill. Monica tried it too and there was no way it was happening so she got winched up as well. We must have stacked more rocks the last time we were on the trail because this time there was no way. The Wall is just too steep and slick with sand.
Just above the Wall and past the cattle guard you can turn right for the more challenging section or continue forward. If you go straight (the way we went the last time) the trail is not very difficult and it is much shorter. If you turn right (the way we went this time) you are treated to lots of obstacles (most with bypasses) that make it very worthwhile.
We played on all of the rocky obstacles. We were working our way up one of them and Robert found another Robert Hole and got pretty stuck. We even had a small fin to go over. It was nothing like Fins N' Things but it was good. There was even a little bit of high speed sand to enjoy.
The last big obstacle is the big wall of rock. The drop off at the very end is very steep and it's almost impossible not to hit your bumper coming off of that one.
We knew we were almost out when we found a couple more stream crossings (the first one was the biggest, though). Soon we were back out on pavement in a gorgeous subdivision, airing up with a beautiful view of Moab and a beautiful golf course. We left from there to head home to Colorado and neither one of us was ready to leave. What a great day!
Reports from Other Days: 6
Use the arrows or dots to flip through the previews of the other reports for Steel Bender. Click one of them to read more and see all of the photos from that day.
