Highway to Swell
Cruise Moab always has lots to offer, and 2014 was no exception. With an early registration comes the opportunity to go on a pre-run. This year I was able to get into the San Rafael Swell pre-run that is hosted by Wasatch Cruisers each year.
For some, this is the main event for the week. The group, that is limited to 20 rigs and their passengers, meets at Lone Warrior Campground just off I-70. For LJ and I this was about a 6 hour drive from Colorado Springs. We arrived Tuesday afternoon with plenty of sunshine to setup camp and visit with other Toyota folks.
The main event is on Wednesday with both a great run and a meal hosted by Wasatch Cruisers. This years run took us north of I-70 on Devil’s Racetrack and Eva Conover.
For us, this is an area that I have wanted to explore but had not yet found the time. The group gathered at 9:00 AM to be lead buy Kurt Williams who knows the area well. We headed north for the Devil’s Racetrack trail head.
The run started with fun desert sand tracks, which are a blast to drive, but that was soon to change. The trail quickly turned into a crawling session with the first climb.
With the first steep section out of the way we continued to head north enjoying the fanatic Utah Canyon country views. In a short time we encountered the first difficult section. A Difficult, off camber sandstone section that gives the trail it’s name, The Devil’s Racetrack. Under Kurt’s watchful eye and spotting everyone cleared the section with no problems.
We ran further north through the scrub oak and cactus and finally encountered the most difficult section of the day, classic sandstone ledges with a good dose of technical difficulty. With finesse, lockers and some spotting every one made it through with a good dose of fun and no problems.
We then made it down it Coal Wash for a pleasant lunch stop and some great conversation. With lunch done we headed up-wash to the intersection with Eva Conover where we headed south. The washes made for some fun times with some more high speed driving.
We followed a cool dugway out of the wash and then continued south on an exposed rim rock trail. Our last stop of the day was for a group shot at a fantastic overlook.
The day finished with a great meal of Pulled Pork, live music and a bar hosted by Paul May.