Feb 29, 2024
Wife & I greatly enjoyed our Moab Bronco Off-Roadeo adventure, here's a brief high-lights for ya. Our Colorado to Moab trip notes are posted on another BN thread. We arrived mid-day Thursday, Feb 22nd and after lunch spent most of the afternoon in the stunning beautiful nearby Arches Nat'l Park. Then loved our dinner at a Moab brewery and drive to Red Cliffs Lodge, 14 miles up HW 128 in an incredible Colorado River canyon. Historic Red Cliff Ranch's striking location has been the site of many movies from 1940s John Ford, John Wayne & many others to Kevin Costner's Horizon currently in production few miles up the canyon.
Friday morning, Feb 23, we didn't have far to go. Bronco Off-Road' Basecamp is on the Red Cliffs Lodge's property just off HW 128. It's a super nice facility with lots of windows for the scenic views in every direction. Also, there's some 25 Broncos in their corral, even several new 2024 2-door Sasquatch.
Gathering for an 8am start we met several welcoming staff, Erica, our trail guide, and 5 excited fellow adventurers from Seattle, Missouri, Salt Lake City area, Colorado & Boise, Idaho (with Bronco Sport). We had various levels of off-roading experience including 'never'.
Erica, our trail guide is the BEST! After group intros, Erica gave us 35 - 40mins on Bronco tech & off-roading basics. Throughout the day, Erica provided lots of 'Good to know' tricks & tactics - She really knows her stuff & kept it fun too!
Then, time to pick our Bronco, saddle-up, and head out to 7-Mile Rim trail. Usually described as an overall moderate trail with several challenging obstacles like - Wipeout Hill, Ledge, Tippy Spot, Rainbow and Burnt Toast. It's 12 to 18 mile loop depending on route and start/end points.
Leaving Basecamp on HW128 is one of the most beautiful drives we've seen.
7-Mile Rim area's 11 miles north of Moab on 191. Turn west where you'll see a Raptor (the dinosaur) beside the road. It's also Canyonlands Nat'l Park & Dead Horse Point's access road.
Moab's off-roading's usually follow old mining trails with dirt, slickrock (actually pretty grippy sandstone) some wet-springs & dry sandy washes. It's 'open range' so gotta watch for cattle, and take care of ranchers' gates - Close gates behind you if you found it closed. Leave gates open that you find open.
We turn off the blacktop, and off-road starting in 4H, both hands on wheel at 3 & 9 or 10 & 2, staying on trail, watching the lead Bronco's line while trying to focus on the trail - Not the stunning scenery!
Erica guided us over several shelf ledges, picking doable lines and avoiding the many 'tire biters'. Thru the day, Erica explained Bronco's GOAT mode effects, when to use 'em, and as our terrain changed suggested using these modes. Also, practicing throttle control to maintain momentum, and braking for controlled descents.
Speaking of descents, we arrived at the very steep Ledge. Throughout the day, Erica ramped up the trail's challenges, and our excitement as we progressed and gained confidence. Photos just don't do these obstacles justice..
Now, on to the very intimidating - Wipeout Hill:
And Rainbow Hill to a very much appreciated lunch:
To bad, we couldn’t find a scenic spot for lunch..
After lunch, and at once, Ironclad battleships appear - Monitor & Merrimac Butts
Great place for our group pic. Hope to meet these folks off-road or at an event one day soon.
Arriving back at the trailhead, and after a very full & fun day on 7-Mile Rim trail, Erica gave us a show & tell on basic recovery gear & technique. Then, loaded with new off-roading experiences, knowledge - & Confidence .. and sure a little pooped, we shifted out of 4H or 4L into 2H, driving back to Basecamp in our tight convoy formation.
Arriving at Basecamp and yet another terrific treat awaited - 5 star'ish dinner! Enjoyed the fellowship with most of our group, as well as Bronco Sport group's couple & guide. They too were surprised at their Sporty's capabilities.
If you haven't done a Bronco Off-Roadeo - Ya need to get yourself signed up for an incredible experience!
Cheers
Friday morning, Feb 23, we didn't have far to go. Bronco Off-Road' Basecamp is on the Red Cliffs Lodge's property just off HW 128. It's a super nice facility with lots of windows for the scenic views in every direction. Also, there's some 25 Broncos in their corral, even several new 2024 2-door Sasquatch.
Gathering for an 8am start we met several welcoming staff, Erica, our trail guide, and 5 excited fellow adventurers from Seattle, Missouri, Salt Lake City area, Colorado & Boise, Idaho (with Bronco Sport). We had various levels of off-roading experience including 'never'.
Erica, our trail guide is the BEST! After group intros, Erica gave us 35 - 40mins on Bronco tech & off-roading basics. Throughout the day, Erica provided lots of 'Good to know' tricks & tactics - She really knows her stuff & kept it fun too!
Then, time to pick our Bronco, saddle-up, and head out to 7-Mile Rim trail. Usually described as an overall moderate trail with several challenging obstacles like - Wipeout Hill, Ledge, Tippy Spot, Rainbow and Burnt Toast. It's 12 to 18 mile loop depending on route and start/end points.
Leaving Basecamp on HW128 is one of the most beautiful drives we've seen.
7-Mile Rim area's 11 miles north of Moab on 191. Turn west where you'll see a Raptor (the dinosaur) beside the road. It's also Canyonlands Nat'l Park & Dead Horse Point's access road.
Moab's off-roading's usually follow old mining trails with dirt, slickrock (actually pretty grippy sandstone) some wet-springs & dry sandy washes. It's 'open range' so gotta watch for cattle, and take care of ranchers' gates - Close gates behind you if you found it closed. Leave gates open that you find open.
We turn off the blacktop, and off-road starting in 4H, both hands on wheel at 3 & 9 or 10 & 2, staying on trail, watching the lead Bronco's line while trying to focus on the trail - Not the stunning scenery!
Erica guided us over several shelf ledges, picking doable lines and avoiding the many 'tire biters'. Thru the day, Erica explained Bronco's GOAT mode effects, when to use 'em, and as our terrain changed suggested using these modes. Also, practicing throttle control to maintain momentum, and braking for controlled descents.
Speaking of descents, we arrived at the very steep Ledge. Throughout the day, Erica ramped up the trail's challenges, and our excitement as we progressed and gained confidence. Photos just don't do these obstacles justice..
Now, on to the very intimidating - Wipeout Hill:
And Rainbow Hill to a very much appreciated lunch:
To bad, we couldn’t find a scenic spot for lunch..
After lunch, and at once, Ironclad battleships appear - Monitor & Merrimac Butts
Great place for our group pic. Hope to meet these folks off-road or at an event one day soon.
Arriving back at the trailhead, and after a very full & fun day on 7-Mile Rim trail, Erica gave us a show & tell on basic recovery gear & technique. Then, loaded with new off-roading experiences, knowledge - & Confidence .. and sure a little pooped, we shifted out of 4H or 4L into 2H, driving back to Basecamp in our tight convoy formation.
Arriving at Basecamp and yet another terrific treat awaited - 5 star'ish dinner! Enjoyed the fellowship with most of our group, as well as Bronco Sport group's couple & guide. They too were surprised at their Sporty's capabilities.
If you haven't done a Bronco Off-Roadeo - Ya need to get yourself signed up for an incredible experience!
Cheers
TechnicalDisaster, Jakob1972