moab @ night

[Friscokidd]

Does any one know of a some what easy/mild trail that is fun to do at night at moab? We are planing on doing something around 6-7 pm that will take about 1-2.5 hours to do, but i have NO idea what would be a good/fun trail to do at night? Any one????? Or is there such a thing>?

tia

[kPs]

Fins n Things
Poison Spider Mesa

Two that I have ran at night, pretty fun!

[Big Dave]

If you're going to run something at night, make sure it's a trail someone in the group knows VERY well. It's a whole different ballgame at night. Rock lights always help too.

[JeepWheelin02]

Yeah cause Poison Spider Mesa is not easy to find your way on in the daytime, and it was very difficult at night. We stoped a few times to walk around with flashlights to find out where we were supposed to be.

[coloradocj-7]

Fins n Things is fun at night...

[FORMULA51]

we did gold bar rim at night, and that trail is pretty scary to lose the trail on. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL!!! I'm not sure if you've been out there before or not, but where you think is a trail, could very well be a 100' cliff.


We had rock lights head lights overhead lights spot lights, everything. I got a bad feeling we weren't on the trail and got out to scout, and about 10' in the direction we were going was a massive cliff waiting to eat us.


BE VERY VERY CAREFUL.

[dapozer]

Moab rim, poison spyder, fins, hell revenge. Just make sure you know the trail well, I have been lost at night a few times and it will take a 2 hr trip well into the 6-8 hour range, and that is without breakdown. Have fun it is a great time. Be Prepared......

[stewp97]

I have done Poison Spider several time at night. I think it is a great trail for night wheeling. I know the trail fairly well though. My brother's first time wheeling, I took him on Hell's Revenge at night. He was a little nervous on the baby lion's back :D

peter

[FORMULA51]

this should help... :flipoff2:


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o110/Cat118/Picture104.jpg




:D aaaaalright!! giggety giggety goo!!!!

[zukatude]

I have done poison spider at night. It was awesome and a very different kind of wheeling experience, almost spiritual. I would increase the difficultly rating of a trail if running at night, just because of the limited visibility. Pictures and video did not turn out very well at night.

You will difinately want rock lights under your rig, IMO four of the 55W halogen floods is enough. I have mine near more in the center of the rig and each pointed out to the corner tires. I don't believe extra headlights will help much because it doesn't really help you see the rocks under your rig. In fact, I think I turned the headlights off some times to avoid blinding my spotter. Only do this if you are very familiar with the trail

It was really cool with no traffic at all on the trail at night, although we could see the healights of some rigs way across the river up on Moab Rim trail. Take a few minutes and turn all the lights off and enjoy the stars as well:thumbsup:

[JeepWheelin02]

Take a few minutes and turn all the lights off and enjoy the stars as well:thumbsup:

X2, they are gorgeous out there

[Big Dave]

I have done poison spider at night. It was awesome and a very different kind of wheeling experience, almost spiritual. I would increase the difficultly rating of a trail if running at night, just because of the limited visibility. Pictures and video did not turn out very well at night.

You will difinately want rock lights under your rig, IMO four of the 55W halogen floods is enough. I have mine near more in the center of the rig and each pointed out to the corner tires. I don't believe extra headlights will help much because it doesn't really help you see the rocks under your rig. In fact, I think I turned the headlights off some times to avoid blinding my spotter. Only do this if you are very familiar with the trail

It was really cool with no traffic at all on the trail at night, although we could see the healights of some rigs way across the river up on Moab Rim trail. Take a few minutes and turn all the lights off and enjoy the stars as well:thumbsup:


Yup. When we go, only the lead rig has their headlights on, all the others just have their parking lights and rock lights on. On PSM, we usually go the wedgie and then hang out in the big flat area just past it and then head back.

Route finding becomes immensely harder, and like has been said before, with the large cliffs in the area it can be EXTREMELY dangerous if you don't know the trail very well and are VERY careful.

[teamextreme]

Like everyone says, route finding is extremely difficult at night on any trail that consists mainly of slick rock. You can't see the rubber marks at night. We ended up spending a very long and cold night on Golden Spike years ago because we spent too much time helping out some stockers that shouldn't have been on the trail. They stopped and camped, we headed out, but couldn't find our way in the dark. We were running it "backwards" from Gold Bar Rim to PSM, and turned out we lost the trail at the launchpad. Coming back out in the morning it was obvious were it went, but at night we couldn't find it to save our lives (almost literally).

[Friscokidd]

thanks for the info fellas! I was thinking fins n things since i heard that it wasnt that bad to navaguess and we will be running it in the day time earlyer the same day. Troy will have his "blue balled bumper" haha, with all his lights + some rock lights, i will have my head lights, fog lights, roof lights & rock lights, as well wel anyone else who comes with us. Flash lights and spot lights are a definite too. Cant wait!!!

[Big Dave]

Like everyone says, route finding is extremely difficult at night on any trail that consists mainly of slick rock. You can't see the rubber marks at night. We ended up spending a very long and cold night on Golden Spike years ago because we spent too much time helping out some stockers that shouldn't have been on the trail. They stopped and camped, we headed out, but couldn't find our way in the dark. We were running it "backwards" from Gold Bar Rim to PSM, and turned out we lost the trail at the launchpad. Coming back out in the morning it was obvious were it went, but at night we couldn't find it to save our lives (almost literally).

Just so others know, camping is no longer allowed on PSM, Spike, and most, if not all, of GBR.

[MountainJeep]

hels revenge at night is a blast, just watch those precipitous drop-offs!

[mikel]

If you want relatively easy then Copper Ridge. Going up and running the loop is also easy and pretty scenic if there is a decent moon out

[Jefe]

Done Fins at night, good time. Kenny's Climb is a WHOLE different experience. 7 mile rim is another good one at night.

[JeepWheelin02]

I vote for Moab RIM starting at 10PM.

:flipoff2:

[Steve]

I vote for Moab RIM starting at 10PM.

:flipoff2:

My favorite night run in Moab. Seriously. :thumbsup: But only if your rig is built for it, you know the trail extremely well and Wally's not texting while leading going down the Z turn. :spit:

[JeepWheelin02]

Wally's not texting while leading going down the Z turn.

Its not his fault he cant text and drive at the same time. :lmao:

Where is that picture at anyways?

[teamextreme]

Just so others know, camping is no longer allowed on PSM, Spike, and most, if not all, of GBR.

Yeah this was long before those rules went into effect. The guys we helped camped there, what we did on the other hand could better be described as huddling in your truck freezing to death.

[newracer]

Just this past weekend a group camped on either PSM or Spike, maybe it wasn't in a legal spot. :shrug: We saw them in the afternoon one day on PSM and they said they were going to camp and finish the next day. We saw them the next day on GBR.

[Suki]

Speaking of camping, can you BBQ on those trails? Not right on the trail itself but say pull over and just use those little coleman propane grills?

We're going to be running a few trails a day and I was thinking it'd be cool to find a nice stopping point for lunch and grill up some hotdogs/burgers.

[Big Dave]

Just this past weekend a group camped on either PSM or Spike, maybe it wasn't in a legal spot. :shrug: We saw them in the afternoon one day on PSM and they said they were going to camp and finish the next day. We saw them the next day on GBR.

My understanding is that you've got to make it to at least Gooney Bird to find a legal place to camp. There's a sign at the start of PSM that details it all, I just can't remember exactly what it says, but I know it didn't work out to where it made any sense to split up Spike into 2 days and camp somewhere along the way.

[Steve]

Speaking of camping, can you BBQ on those trails? Not right on the trail itself but say pull over and just use those little coleman propane grills?

Unless there's a complete fire ban I don't see why not. Call or email the Moab BLM office; they're very helpful and will tell you for sure.

[Shakey]

I've done Hell's Revenge at night and thought it was great. I think it took us 3 hours. It might be easier as far as, and up, tip over challenge and then back the way you came. It's harder to get lost that way.

The easiest way for any trail would be to run it in the day, use your GPS and map the route, then follow that route at night. Sure helps and that way you don't have a spotter out on the trail with a flashlight searching for the next cairn painted on the slickrock.

[Friscokidd]

The easiest way for any trail would be to run it in the day, use your GPS and map the route, then follow that route at night.


good call on the gps. Now i just need to learn how to use mine :o

[nridler]

I vote for Moab RIM starting at 10PM.

:flipoff2:

That's funny.

[newracer]

good call on the gps. Now i just need to learn how to use mine :o
What GPS do you have? I just tracked several trails out there.

[Suki]

Unless there's a complete fire ban I don't see why not. Call or email the Moab BLM office; they're very helpful and will tell you for sure.

saweeet, thanks Steve! I sent an email so I'll post up their response when I get it.

[Suki]

What GPS do you have? I just tracked several trails out there.

We picked up the Garmin Etrex Legend from Target.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51D8CDY8Y0L._SS260_.jpg

[CapnCrunch]

A couple years ago I did Kane Creek at night and it was quite fun actually. The only bad thing was that it took us all night because one of the Jeeps that was with us kept having mechanical problems. Also, his alternator had given up the ghost, so we were swapping batteries with him every so often so he had power (one of the other rigs had a dual-battery setup, so he was doing the charging/swapping). He left his lights off and slaved off our lights. All in all, though, it was a fun night. Came off the trail just as it was barely starting to get light.

[~tc~]

I have done Poison Spider, Fins n Things, and finished Moab Rim (sun went down while we were coming down Zturn) in the dark.

IMHO, Poison Spider is only OK. Pretty good night run though, as routefinding is easy, and the obstacles are a little more interesting in the dark. We went through the waterfall, then turned around and came back. Plus you get good pictures:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6cc35b3127cce8f999643deff00000015100CaMmTdoxYsZ

going up MR in the light, then coming down in the dark - no bueno. You know that cliff edge is out there, but can't tell exactly where. Super scary, plus that was about the only trail I've ever been lost on - lots of turns at the top in the sandy area.

Fins n things is fun, but bring good flashlights and be ready to do some routefinding. Plus, if something happens, there are lots of opportunities to get out on the road.

x2 for rocklights

-100000 for 55W tractor lights. That's another 20ish amps for the alternator to supply at idle if you do 4, 40 amps if you do 8 :eek: So, while the lights are pretty cheap, factor in an alternator upgrade. I highly recommend going with LED rocklights from roundeyes.com or superbrightleds.com

[JPCHEF]

Poison Spider Killer at night x1000:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[CapnCrunch]

Ditto on the LED rocklights. Mine aren't hellaciously bright, but they don't need to be in that sort of darkness and are bright enough to help out nicely on the obstacles.

[Friscokidd]

i actually looked into the LED rock lights but they are a little more than i want to spend right now and i dont think i will be doing all that much night wheeling too. Went to harbor freight and picked up some of these http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37349
for the roof lights (4) and they seem to be pretty bright. So thinking about geting 4 more for my rock lights. On sale $9/pair, whats the worse that could happen? Put a new bulb in them haha.

[CGuava]

A couple years ago I did Kane Creek at night and it was quite fun actually. The only bad thing was that it took us all night because one of the Jeeps that was with us kept having mechanical problems. Also, his alternator had given up the ghost, so we were swapping batteries with him every so often so he had power (one of the other rigs had a dual-battery setup, so he was doing the charging/swapping). He left his lights off and slaved off our lights. All in all, though, it was a fun night. Came off the trail just as it was barely starting to get light.


Forgot to mention, couldn't sleep in the AM because the tents were so hot.

Ugh, that night was so fun, yet so strange. Loopiness at the BK in Moab was pretty fun too!

[Big Dave]

I don't see the ones I use on HF's site, but you want more of a flood than a spot with rock lights.

[T&C]

this should help... :flipoff2:


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o110/Cat118/Picture104.jpg




:D aaaaalright!! giggety giggety goo!!!!

Don't be jealous my stinger is bigger than yours :D

[zukatude]

i actually looked into the LED rock lights but they are a little more than i want to spend right now and i dont think i will be doing all that much night wheeling too. Went to harbor freight and picked up some of these http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37349
for the roof lights (4) and they seem to be pretty bright. So thinking about geting 4 more for my rock lights. On sale $9/pair, whats the worse that could happen? Put a new bulb in them haha.

I looked into the LED rock lights as well. I like geeky tech stuff like that, but I couldn't really justify it for something I use maybe twice a year for a few hours. The round eyes ultimate LED rock light puts out about 104 lumens for $30 each. A cheapo 55W halogen light puts out about 1400 lumens. I got mine off of ebay for about $20 PER PAIR. So while the LED lights are way more efficent, you can still get 10 times the light output for half the cost using halogens. If you crack a halogen bulb or the filament breaks you're only out $5. A halogens operating life is about 600 hours, which for me would last decades. If you are like the guys in Arizona that wheel often at night to escape the day time temperatures, then maybe you would need to replace the bulbs more often.

In some cases a LED would still be better, like running regularly immersed in water where the halogens high temp could cause cracking. And if you run too many halogens your alternator might not be able to keep up. I use four of the 55W lights and even the wimpy sammi alternator has enough output to supply the extra 20 amps required. You guys with domestic alternators that put out at least 85A should have no issues at all with 4 extra rock lights.

[~tc~]

On sale $9/pair, whats the worse that could happen?

What's the worst that can happen? Your battery dies and the EFI won't work and the rig dies. Let me tell you, IT SUCKS. Fortunately, I have a manual tranny and was in a spot where I could bump start it.

The round eyes ultimate LED rock light puts out about 104 lumens for $30 each. A cheapo 55W halogen light puts out about 1400 lumens. I got mine off of ebay for about $20 PER PAIR. So while the LED lights are way more efficent, you can still get 10 times the light output for half the cost using halogens. If you crack a halogen bulb or the filament breaks you're only out $5. A halogens operating life is about 600 hours, which for me would last decades. If you are like the guys in Arizona that wheel often at night to escape the day time temperatures, then maybe you would need to replace the bulbs more often.

In some cases a LED would still be better, like running regularly immersed in water where the halogens high temp could cause cracking. And if you run too many halogens your alternator might not be able to keep up. I use four of the 55W lights and even the wimpy sammi alternator has enough output to supply the extra 20 amps required. You guys with domestic alternators that put out at least 85A should have no issues at all with 4 extra rock lights.

Yes, but the Roundeyes kit is 6 LED's, so you have a MUCH more even light pattern (albeit with less lumens) with almost no draw on your alternator.

If you're going uphill or otherwise on the gas, turning RPM's, you may indeed have enough current available to run the halogens, but if you're going downhill and your RPM's are very low you won't. That was what happened to me.

I SO wish I had just done the LED's in the first place ...

[zukatude]

What's the worst that can happen? Your battery dies and the EFI won't work and the rig dies. Let me tell you, IT SUCKS. Fortunately, I have a manual tranny and was in a spot where I could bump start it.



Yes, but the Roundeyes kit is 6 LED's, so you have a MUCH more even light pattern (albeit with less lumens) with almost no draw on your alternator.

If you're going uphill or otherwise on the gas, turning RPM's, you may indeed have enough current available to run the halogens, but if you're going downhill and your RPM's are very low you won't. That was what happened to me.

I SO wish I had just done the LED's in the first place ...

Were you actually idling for so long that your battery died?

The capacity of a battery is in the ballpark of 80 A/h. Even if you alternator is not helping to supply the current needed for your 20A rock lights, your battery should supply 20A for several hours. Maybe your battery was on its last legs and had reduced capacity? As soon as the engine speed picks up, the alternator will supply the extra surrent needed for the lights. I did not have an issues wheeling about 4 hours with the rock lights on, but I would often have my engine rpms between say 2-5k.

Yeah, I like manual trannies as well just beacuse of the easy bump starts:thumbsup:

[CapnCrunch]

Forgot to mention, couldn't sleep in the AM because the tents were so hot.

Ugh, that night was so fun, yet so strange. Loopiness at the BK in Moab was pretty fun too!

Dang! I forgot about the BK! That really hit the spot after that night.

I think the worst part of it was when we were all huddled around the front of Vince's jeep at something like 2AM and you were trying to weld his steering bracket. I think it might have been raining too, but much of that night is kind of a blur. I think the best (for me anyway) was when we all drove up through that first major obstacle like it was just parking lot. Same thing for the second major obstacle. Having struggled at those spots during previous trips, that was right after I had most of my mods done and I was quite pleased with the result.

[~tc~]

Well, I have 8 rocklights, so it's more like 40A, plus the fuel pump, marker/brake lights, heater blower, occasional headlights, etc - you add up everything you're running during a night run, and it adds up in a hurry. God forbid you need to run a winch! Considering it's a 60A alternator or something, you're not making squat at idle. (BTW - had it rebuilt by Boyle Future Tech in California and it now makes 60A at idle!)

BTW - it was Moab Rim from the zturn down, so there wasn't much throttle used for a long time.