TJ Fest 2021 - Moab (April 24 – May 1, 2021)
- Thread starter Chris
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Moab Rim, Gold Bar Rim, Poison Spyder Mesa, Golden Spike, and depending on how difficult it is, Behind the Rocks. Those are a few I'd like to do. I think there will be days where I'd be happy with just taking some more scenic (and less challenging trails), so right now I'm just thinking of the more challenging ones as those will be the ones to really plan for.
You should check out the colo trails, you're definitely built enough to join for at least a few trails!
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I'll almost certainly join in on some of those as they are on my list as well (I didn't name them all).
I'm going to put together a specific TJ Fest sub-forum tonight that I'll move all the related threads to. That should help people at the event. Then everything related to the event can be posted in that specific sub-forum so that there is no confusion whatsoever about where to find what is happening and when.
I put the trails from team Hyphen CO and LJ into a spreadsheet, trying to come up with which teams I can tag along with, and which days I need to find some easier trails when both are going to harder routes. Although it makes it easier that based on Team Hyphen's requirements, I won't be wheeling with them at all... Maybe I'll start a Team Newbie page when we suck too much to tag along with the big boys.
Also, I saw talks of a third "team" but couldn't find any threads for it?
Here's my abridged version of the spreadsheet. I'll be on 31s with a lunchbox in front, winch and recovery points, no lift. If anyone is as early in their build as me but still coming maybe this will help you too. If anyone thinks I'm predicting being able to hit a trail and shouldn't or vice versa feel free to enlighten me...
Also, I saw talks of a third "team" but couldn't find any threads for it?
Here's my abridged version of the spreadsheet. I'll be on 31s with a lunchbox in front, winch and recovery points, no lift. If anyone is as early in their build as me but still coming maybe this will help you too. If anyone thinks I'm predicting being able to hit a trail and shouldn't or vice versa feel free to enlighten me...
Date | Trails | Trails | Can I go? |
04/24/21 | Hyphen CO | Fins and Things, Hell’s Revenge | Nope |
04/24/21 | LJ | Gemini Bridges, Metal Masher | Probably not |
04/25/21 | Hyphen CO | Metal Masher, Rusty Nail | Nope |
04/25/21 | LJ | Behind The Rocks, Picture Frame Arc | I think so, there are bypasses |
04/26/21 | Hyphen CO | Pritchett Canyon, Entrada Bluffs Rd, Top of the World, Rose Garden Hill, Onion Creek, Gateway/Castleton | Nope |
04/26/21 | LJ | Hells Revenge, Fins and Things | I think so, there are bypasses |
04/27/21 | Hyphen CO | 21 Road (Leaving Moab) | Nope |
04/27/21 | LJ | Entrada Bluffs Rd, Top of the World, Rose Garden Hill, Onion Creek | I doubt it, I think Rose Garden will keep me out |
04/28/21 | LJ | Potash Rd/Shafer, Lathrop Canyon, White Rim | Yes |
04/29/21 | LJ | Poison Spider Mesa, Golden Spike, Gold Bar Rim | Hardest day, heck no |
04/30/21 | LJ | Hurrah Pass, Chicken Corners | Yes |
I've never been, so our requirements are based off of video, pictures, and trailsoffroad.com. They may be a bit conservative
I'm not trying to be crappy about saying I can't come along with team hyphen... I get that you don't want to have to babysit a jeep that isn't really up to the trails regardless of if I "could" make it or not. I respect your requirements I'm sure I'll find something fun. I got the trail book in today so I will be filling the days I can't go with either group with other easier trails, unless someone else is already doing so
I have only done hell’s revenge and fins and things and did them on 31s and a 2.5” lift minus hells gate and the escalator. It was not that difficult either. I have lockers and 33s now and feel I could do a lot more. Those with 35s and lockers should be able to do most anything would be my guess.
Basket- I'm running 31s with lockers and 2" lift - My wife will be my spotter but since she does not know how i plan to run only class 3 and under trails though i prolly could do some of the 4s. You will not be alone if you are worried about it.
I was thinking that a thread should be started for those with stock up thru 31' wheels/mild builds. Lets see what Chris does over the next day or so before starting a new thread. I only intend to run up thru class 3 trails since i do not have a spotter. It would be a shame to not have a bit of coordination and even on the easy trails- especially if someone gets into trouble. Personally i have run alone in the past without a spotter but that was around Ouray on no worse than class 4 trails- it is better to have someone to run with.
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The hard part of these ratings systems is they’re both subjective and likely based on the harder features of the trails that may well have bypasses. That said, I think you’re right - fine and hells (with a few bypasses) could be done on a stock TJ.
Trust me when I say, there are plenty of trails you will be able to do. DO NOT let anyone PRESSURE you or talk you in to anything that YOU think is questionable.
On another note, hell after a few tougher trails it’s nice to get some air and take in the scenery without having to have WHITE KNUCKELS all day!
That being said, my wife and I are more than willing to trail with you a day or two.
When I did Fins and Hells two years ago (minus Gate and Escalator, as well) it was on 33s, raised skids, and a front locker. I found both to be pretty easy.
Take a look here my bet is you'd be able to run 5's with a mild build.
That might be Alex - i have never been to Moab nor do i know which trails have drive arounds. However- the ratings system shows 31" wheels only for class 3 and below. The 5's say 35" wheels. My other issue is that my wife has no spotting experience so i will be getting out at obstacles to look at them myself and not have the help with wheel placement once I get on the obstacle (if I run alone).
Thats understandable. I honestly don't think anyone will have an issue finding people to run with. @Chris maybe its time to open up a new thread so people can start planning more.
A list of confirmed members who will be there is a good starting point. Sorting by tire size and lift is a great way for others to get an idea of who to reach out to. I had a spreadsheet somewhere near the beginning of this thread that can be used.
It will likely take a decent amount of moderation to keep the junk out of those threads and keep in the single digits of pages. Should be fun.
Yea without the bypasses it’s a different story. I would be reluctant to hit some of the higher rated trails unless I had more experience or was with someone that had been there before.
Looks like Behind the rocks, picture frame arc, hells, and fins and things could be done by a stock TJ taking bypasses when necessary from what I've read? Can anyone confirm that or otherwise?
That’s my feeling as well, I saw a number of stockers on fins. If you’ve ever watched TFL on YouTube they take stock trucks on fins (the first half).
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