Info needed, Baja, Moab, and King of the Hammers

arctictraveller · 09-27-2015, 12:23 PM

After being worked like a rented mule for the entire summer the one thing that brought me any amount of sanity was looking forward to spending quality time on the road visiting new and favorite, old places. A rough plan is developing and at the moment it looks like this. Be in Baja a few days prior to the race in November. Spend some time after the race exploring, then head to Moab by way of other interesting places such as Death Valley. Then work towards the King of the Hammers by the end of Jan. I've never been to Moab or the Hammers, so I'd like to get some ideas of places to see, trails not to be missed, and any ideas anyone has for putting together a route between these places. I have no problem with intermediate 4wd trails but prefer to avoid more difficult trails when I'm alone. We avoid most campgrounds and prefer to find places far removed from the RV crowd. It would be fun to meet and camp with some of the forum members along the way too. Last year we had a fun get together at Anza Borrego with quite a few members, so, I'm open to ideas, and have lots of time. Thanks in advance...............

boywonder · 09-27-2015, 07:26 PM

Moab has lots of free camping......up to two weeks at a time according to the signs. I think it's BLM land. I've done lots of MTB and moto riding in Moab and a little 4WD stuff.......so if you are mainly interested in van 4WD I'm not really the guy to ask.

You can remote camp pretty much anyway around Moab. Some scenic places are up Sand Flats rd past skickrock and over the mountain in Castle Valley/Willow Basin. The spots I'm familiar with there are at some elevation and may be chilly in Nov......of course for those of us who live in Alaska......it's probably downright balmy.....

arctictraveller · 09-27-2015, 09:40 PM

......of course for those of us who live in Alaska......it's probably downright balmy.....[/quote]

So, where do you live?

boywonder · 09-28-2015, 08:07 AM

So Cal......!......assuming that you are in Alaska.....

BajaSportsmobile · 09-28-2015, 08:50 AM

Swing by Parker AZ February 4th through the 7th for the Best In The Desert PARKER 425 on your way to KOH. It is one of the best desert races of the year.

EDIT

Oops - looks like they are the same weekend this year. In years past they were a week apart.

dirtanddogfur · 09-28-2015, 02:19 PM

Camping in Moab is actually a little more restrictive than other BLM lands. Moab is a very popular place and because of this, camping has been sharply curtailed.

Check this out for more details:

http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab/rec ... ounds.html

In a nut shell, just because it is BLM land, does not mean you can camp there.

geoffff · 09-30-2015, 10:54 AM

I'm not a fan of campgrounds, so when staying "in" Moab, I camp out here 20 miles southeast of town along highway 191. It's the first area free of restrictions and private property like "Hole in the Wall", etc. Highway 191 is a fast road so it only takes a half hour to get into town from here.

GPS: 38.3812, -109.4455

There's lots of nice orange sandstone to clamber around on here.

-- Geoff

Petrolburner · 10-01-2015, 12:25 PM

I'll also be in Baja for the race in November. Heading down a week or two early to pre run and eat fish tacos.

REF · 10-03-2015, 02:43 AM

Keep us updated with what dates you think you'll be in Moab......we'll make it if you're thinking it'll be around X-mass/NY's time, would be fun for a little gathering. Might start another thread on that....see how many of you west coasters can make the drive east a bit this year, maybe we'll have some warmer weather than at Anza.......

Edit: Nope, it looks like average temps are in the 40's......