TrailDamage.com

Photos, videos and information about 4x4 trails in Colorado and Utah

  • Trails
    • Colorado
    • Utah
  • Reports
    • Featured Photos
    • Featured Videos
    • Reports Calendar
  • Members
  • Search
  • Trail Damage Winners
  • FAQ
  • Community
  • Upcoming Events
  • Membership
  • Log In
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Golden Spike 040515

May 15, 2004 by Monica

Golden Spike

Trail Run on May 15, 2004
Report and photos by Monica I., Trail Leader
View trail information for Golden Spike

Matt F.
Silver 2000 Jeep Wrangler
Monica I.
Red 2010 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Aaron N.
Maroon 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Derek S.
Black 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Bob S.
Green 1997 Jeep Wrangler
Ladd G.
Green 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Naturally we did this trail after Poison Spider Mesa and before Gold Bar Rim. We made it through in record time and only Derek got any trail damage other than the usual bangs and scrapes on skid plates. Derek managed to brush into a tree that ended up being bigger than he originally thought, then he lost a spring in the Golden Crack, and then he got into trouble and ripped his CB antenna off in Body Snatcher. Golden Spike loves to eat Grand Cherokees!

We got a nice, early start and were at the Launch Pad way before noon. It was a nice introduction to domes for Bob and Aaron and everyone was all smiles on the other side. We followed the trail and found an even better dome on Skyline Drive. We drove to the top and had lunch in the sun and heat with no shade. It was a hot day.

On our way down we got ready for the Washtub -- the obstacle with the water holes before it followed by a steep hill and ledge at the top. Monica went first expecting no issues but then got hung up on the ledge. Derek ended up having to stack some rocks, then everyone made it through without any problems.

Then came the relatively mellow part of the trail in the middle where you just climb to the top and the edge of the cliff. We were all pretty quiet and ready to get out of the Jeeps and stretch when we got to the top. The Overlook is so impressive! We killed a little time just hanging out, then got back to it with the first of many rock obstacles to come.

We went down the one rock obstacle that is right before the insanely steep one, only to find that one filled in and made much less intimidating. Someone had filled in the last foot and a half with sand and rocks, making it not at all tippy anymore and really not very challenging. Though this obstacle is a big one it's unfortunate to see it filled in like this.

We got to the area of trail that is right on the edge of the cliff and got out again to get some air (it was really hot still). Then a group of big rigs came up behind us so we moved up a little to let them pass.

We followed this group down to the Golden Crack and watched them from a distance as they went through without even slowing down. This obstacle isn't an issue for them. We stopped before doing the Crack to watch them do the optional big obstacle on the other side. A few of them had troubles but they all made it over.

We went back to the Crack and started our way through. Monica went through first without any problems, then Bob did the same. Derek came through next and we all jumped as his front spring came out with a loud bang. Bob used a tow strap to pull him through the crack and to a flat place where he could work on getting it back in place.

Matt came through the Crack next and actually had more of an issue this time than he did last year, even though his Jeep is bigger this time. Still, he came through with very little trouble. Aaron popped through making it look easy with his 35" tires. Ladd also went through it like a pro.

We set up chairs in the shade and hung out happily while Derek worked on getting his Jeep back together. It was almost a drag to have to leave, but we still had a lot of trail left to do. We hit the Golden Stairs and everyone went up them without any troubles.

Derek was on a mellow part of the trail and had to brush up against a tree at one point as it happens to everyone on this trail. Unfortunately the tree ended up being beefier than it looked and he managed to scrape and dent in parts of the entire passenger side of his Grand Cherokee. More trail damage for Derek!

Then came Body Snatcher, the obstacle that claimed Derek's Jeep the year before. There were a few spinning tires as Monica went through it, then Ladd quietly went through. Derek started up but he kept on sliding over toward the rock that sticks out. He was working very hard not to smash his back window on the passenger side.

He did manage to miss the window, but he slid along the rock just below his window on the way up. This ripped his CB antenna right from the side of the Cherokee. Last year he could only hear us on the CB but couldn't transmit -- and now he was back to the same thing this year. It never ends for Derek on this trail.

Bob and Matt both didn't have any Body Snatcher issues, but Aaron kept sliding over just like Derek did. Fortunately Aaron's TJ is shorter and taller than Derek's Grand Cherokee so he took a line on the far left and basically climbed the wall on that end to get out. It worked and he made it through without a scratch.

We got to the end of the trail around the corner from Body Snatcher and worked our way onto Gold Bar Rim in record time. Though this trail always takes a little from Derek we all had a blast (including Derek)!

aaron_climbing
aaron_down_a_dome
aaron_down_some_rocks_part_1
aaron_down_some_rocks_part_2
aaron_down_steep_rock
aaron_in_body_snatcher
aaron_in_golden_crack_part_1
aaron_in_golden_crack_part_2
aaron_in_golden_crack_part_3
aaron_in_golden_crack_part_4
aaron_in_the_washtub
aaron_in_witchs_crotch
aaron_on_launch_pad_part_1
aaron_on_launch_pad_part_2
aaron_on_the_golden_stairs
arches_national_park
big_view
bob_and_the_view
bob_climbing
bob_down_a_dome
bob_down_some_rocks
bob_down_stairs_part_1
bob_down_stairs_part_2
bob_down_stairs_part_3
bob_down_steep_rock
bob_in_golden_crack_part_1
bob_in_golden_crack_part_2
bob_in_golden_crack_part_3
bob_in_the_washtub
bob_in_witchs_crotch
bob_on_aaron
bob_on_the_golden_stairs
cactus_flowers
cairn
derek_climbing
derek_down_a_dome
derek_down_some_rocks_part_1
derek_down_some_rocks_part_2
derek_down_stairs_part_1
derek_down_stairs_part_2
derek_in_golden_crack_part_1
derek_in_golden_crack_part_2
derek_in_golden_crack_part_3
derek_in_golden_crack_part_4
derek_in_the_washtub
derek_in_witchs_crotch_part_1
derek_in_witchs_crotch_part_2
derek_on_launch_pad_part_1
derek_on_launch_pad_part_2
derek_trail_damage_part_1
derek_trail_damage_part_2
derek_trail_damage_part_3
derek_trail_damage_part_4
derek_trail_damage_part_5
derek_trail_damage_part_6
highway_out_of_town
jeep_arch_close_up
jeep_arch
ladd_climbing
ladd_down_a_dome
ladd_down_some_rocks
ladd_down_stairs
ladd_down_steep_rock
ladd_in_body_snatcher
ladd_in_scenery
ladd_in_the_washtub
ladd_on_launch_pad_part_1
ladd_on_launch_pad_part_2
lunch_on_skyline_drive
matt_climbing
matt_down_a_dome
matt_down_some_rocks
matt_down_stairs_part_1
matt_down_stairs_part_2
matt_down_steep_rock
matt_in_golden_crack_part_1
matt_in_golden_crack_part_2
matt_in_golden_crack_part_3
matt_in_the_washtub
matt_in_witchs_crotch
matt_on_launch_pad_part_1
matt_on_launch_pad_part_2
matt_tanning
monica_down_some_rocks
monica_in_body_snatcher
monica_in_golden_crack_part_1
monica_in_golden_crack_part_2
monica_in_golden_crack_part_3
monica_in_the_washtub_part_1
monica_in_the_washtub_part_2
monica_in_the_washtub_part_3
monica_on_launch_pad_part_1
monica_on_launch_pad_part_2
monica_on_launch_pad_part_3
monica_on_the_golden_stairs
on_the_trail
rock_obstacle
rock_ramp
rock_tree
skyline_drive
steep_rock_filled_in
view_of_moab
washtub

Reports from Other Days: 10

Use the arrows or dots to flip through the previews of the other reports for Golden Spike. Click one of them to read more and see all of the photos from that day.

October 23, 2020

Led by Matt K.
Golden Spike was the next trail for this day doing the Trifecta, after Poison Spider Mesa. It didn’t take long for us to reach the Launch Pad. We all had fun going up the steep, slickrock hill. After Launch Pad we pulled to the side of the trail to let…
»
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
Join Us!
If you aren’t a Member or Subscriber, you can’t see all of the content on this site. Get membership information to see why this site is best when you join and log in

Information for Subscribers

When you log in you’ll see more information here:

  • Recent Community Forum posts
  • Recent polls
  • Upcoming Events you can attend
  • Links to online users

© 2000-2021 · TrailDamage.com · Terms and Conditions · About · Contact
Trail information is only accurate on the date posted. Trails may have changed or closed since that date. Use this information for historical purposes only.
Contact the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management for up-to-date trail information.

/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View slug: reports-other-reports-for-same-trail-slider - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* place the prev/next controls on the sides */ .td-transition-controls .wpv-filter-next-link, .td-transition-controls .wpv-filter-previous-link { border: none; font-size: 300%; position: absolute; top: 70px; } .td-transition-controls .wpv-filter-previous-link { left: 0; } .td-transition-controls .wpv-filter-next-link { right: 0; } /* center the page selector horizonatally */ .td-transition-controls ul.wpv_pagination_dots { text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; } /* center the page selector horizonatally */ .td-transition-controls ul.wpv_pagination_dots li.wpv_pagination_dots_item, .td-transition-controls .wpv_pagination_dots li a { display: inline-block; float: none; } /* remove the default styles */ .td-transition-controls .wpv_pagination_dots li a { text-decoration: none; border-bottom: none; } .td-slider-container { padding: 0 25px; margin-bottom: 20px; position: relative; width:100%; display:table; } .td-slides { position: relative; } .td-slides-image { float:left; display:table-cell; } .td-slides-image img { border:1px solid #c0c0c0; } .td-slides-content { padding:4px 4px 4px 10px; border-top:1px solid #c0c0c0; border-right:1px solid #c0c0c0; border-bottom:1px solid #c0c0c0; display:table-cell; height:227px; overflow:hidden; } .td-slides-content h3 { margin-top:8px; } .td-slides-leader { font-size:smaller; margin-top:4px; } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View slug: reports-other-reports-for-same-trail-slider - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */
/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Template for a Single Report - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ .entry-header { display:none; } .entry-content h1 { margin-top:16px; padding-top:0; } h1 a { color:#222; } h1 a:hover { color:#666; } p.entry-meta { font-size:small; } #report-body-spacer { clear:both; width:100%; height:20px; } #addtoany-bar { margin-bottom:2em; text-align:center; } .category-reports .post-info .author, .post-info .date { display: none; } .addthis_recommended_horizontal { text-align:center !important; } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Template for a Single Report - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in REPORTS Runners - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ #runners-container { width:100%; clear:both; } .runner { border:1px solid #c0c0c0; margin:0 6px 6px 0; float:left; width:49%; height:81px; } .runner-image { float: left; } .runner-image img { margin:2px 10px 0 2px; height:75px; width:75px; } .runner-name { text-transform:uppercase; } .runner-name a { color:#222; } .runner-name a:hover { color:#666; } .runner-vehicle { font-size:small; } @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) { .runner { width:100%; } } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Loop item in REPORTS Runners - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */