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An aMazing trip.

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TRD270
Kevin
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An aMazing trip. Empty An aMazing trip.

Post by Kevin Sun Nov 13, 2016 1:29 pm

Got the chance to join Greg from RME on a trip into the Maze district of Canyonlands National Park last weekend, and had a blast.  We met in Green River Saturday morning and drove down to Hite together where we hit dirt, intending to drive up through the Orange Cliffs into the Park.  The Rodeo that was our third member busted a tie rod end about twenty miles in, and we spent the rest of the day limping his truck out.  We camped that evening a hundred yards or so from the road, saw maybe three cars pass all night.  Next morning we got him up to Hanksville where he could coordinate a tow, and we pressed on.  Not wanting to drive all the way back down to Hite, we jammed north a couple minutes and then reached dirt again on the road into the Hans Flat ranger station.

The first bit of technical driving was the Flint Trail switchbacks - they're steep.  And rough.  Dropping your F150 off a two foot ledge while negotiating a hairpin turn one foot from a thousand foot drop will get your attention.  After the Flint switchbacks, the trail is very mellow, almost roadish, to the four way intersection at the bottom.  To get to Dollhouse Camp we had to get through Teapot and the Land Of Standing Rocks, which was much more difficult than either of us expected it to be.  Lots of slow going and a little rock stacking for the F150 got us through, and we made it to camp just before dark.  Daylight savings time made for an early sunset, and we were in bed by nine.

We got up next morning with the sunrise, had a quick breakfast, and hit the road back out.  It was easier going out than coming in, and we made the four way intersection in just a couple hours.  Instead of going back up the Flint Trail we kept on west, and made for Sunset Pass and Poison Springs Canyon.  The crossing at the Dirty Devil was very easy, with under two feet of water and a firm bottom.  The canyon itself was spectacular, and I wish we'd had time to drive it slower.

Anyway, here's pics.

My silly pickup was definitely underdressed for this party.
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Making time in from Hite, the call came in over the radio from FastGas - "I think I broke a tie rod end".  Yup, I think you're right.  Very Happy
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Escorting the broken Rodeo out, the breakup of the storm and afternoon light made for incredible desert colors.  I couldn't resist stopping for frequent photos.  I think these couple turned out pretty good.
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We found even better scenery day two.  
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Greg tried to escape this frame, but I made him go back and stand there.  The pose is all him though.
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Somebody I'd spoken to about the route had compared the road into Dollhouse to the White Rim.  If I had known what it was really like I'd have brought the Wiferunner.  It was slow going in spots, but my land whale did ok.  
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If I'd been alone I probably would have turned around but I didn't want to ruin it for Greg, and I'm glad I didn't because I really ended up revising my estimation of what that truck can do and where it can go, and just having a great time.

If night one was warm and a little wet, night two was clear and crisp, about 40* f.  I didn't bother setting up the tent, just put the cot out under the stars and slept the sleep of the just.  The dawn was amazing.  I'm so glad we got the camp we did, I can't imagine anywhere else being as spectacular in the morning light
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Greg led the way out and jackrabbited ahead of me with his 35s and short wheel base while I picked my way through the Teapot section.  I still managed to get a couple nice shots of his Jeep making short work of the rocks and ledges.
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Here he tried an ambush photo session.  I got him back.
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After we got out of the slow stuff, it was on to Sunset Pass and Poison Springs Canyon.  Fewer pics from here, it was getting late in the day and I still had to go to work at midnight.  We'd been told by the ranger that they'd done "some" work on the wash out and the canyon was open but just barely.  We breezed right through the dug out section with no troubles, the entire route was easy driving - and a little bit fun when you goose it around the corners.  Very Happy
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I'd been looking forward to a burger at Ray's since I woke up that morning, and that's right where we headed after airing up.

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And then we headed home.  I stayed awake at work that night looking at maps and wondering when I'd be able to make it back, because there are definitely more journeys into the Maze in my future.

Here's Greg's trip report on RME, in case you missed it over there. https://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?112057-200-miles-of-Dirt-in-Canyonlands
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Post by TRD270 Mon Nov 14, 2016 1:49 am

aMazing rotfl

flipoff screw you and your weekends off.....

Seriously though we need to get a trip organized and do a few days exploring
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Post by dutchman Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:08 am

Don't hate on those of us w/ weekends off!!!


Kevin, looks like an awesome trip. I'd be happy to have you show me around down there.

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Post by MacKay Mon Nov 14, 2016 4:19 pm

Beautiful pics. They would look even better with a 1st gen 4runner in them. I would also love to tag along on the next adventure if the stars align.
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Post by os1rfw Mon Nov 14, 2016 7:29 pm

How did the Rodeo break the tie rod? The trail didn't look that bad in the pic. Awesome summary of your trip.

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Post by Kevin Tue Nov 15, 2016 2:42 am

TRD270 wrote:aMazing rotfl

flipoff screw you and your weekends off.....

Seriously though we need to get a trip organized and do a few days exploring

Looks like the desert is going to be sloppy this Thursday/Friday.  Still want to try and get out?

dutchman wrote:Don't hate on those of us w/ weekends off!!!


Kevin, looks like an awesome trip. I'd be happy to have you show me around down there.

Ok, but Aubrey's cooking.

MacKay wrote:Beautiful pics. They would look even better with a 1st gen 4runner in them. I would also love to tag along on the next adventure if the stars align.  

I can think of a couple 1st gen 4Runners I'd like to see down there.  We should make that happen.

os1rfw wrote:How did the Rodeo break the tie rod? The trail didn't look that bad in the pic. Awesome summary of your trip.

So that Rodeo was lifted stupid-high, probably five or six inches.  Jon thinks it was a bad install by the place that he had install the lift, but I think it was a combination of skinny little inner tie rod end (seriously skinny, like a finger's width, totally weak) and a terrible angle on the whole setup.  Too much stress.  The road wasn't bad at all where he broke, mostly dirt with a little slickrock, but we were moving pretty good and the road was a little muddy.  I think he just got wide on that corner and put the wheel in the berm and that was that.
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Post by os1rfw Tue Nov 15, 2016 6:46 am

But the Rodeo looks good!

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Post by Kevin Tue Nov 15, 2016 10:03 am

os1rfw wrote:But the Rodeo looks good!

Not this part so much tho.

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Post by TRD270 Tue Nov 15, 2016 10:57 am

Kevin wrote:
Looks like the desert is going to be sloppy this Thursday/Friday.  Still want to try and get out?

We can see if the storm actually does anything, I don't mind a little, but really don't want to spend two weeks trying to spray off west desert mud. Or maybe try tomorrow? I just won't be up super early and am trying to pick that topper up I was telling you about
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Post by Kevin Tue Nov 15, 2016 11:09 am

Tomorrow no good, I work tomorrow night and I'm in the middle of Nicole's upper ball joints.
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Post by Bennamin Fri Nov 18, 2016 9:05 pm

Ohhhh... so wanna get out on a trip! And Ray's is on my list of famous old places to eat at in the state bounce
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