Strike Ravine and Moab Rim

[IntrepidXJ]

Date: October 7, 2008

On Tuesday morning I went on the official NAXJA trail group on Strike Ravine which was lead by Alex. The group consisted of 20 XJ's, and even though it was a larger group, we managed to make good time on the trail. This was my first time on Strike Ravine, and I'm glad I went with the group, because it would be a difficult trail to follow on my own. There are a number of roads and trails that intersect in this area, so I might need to head back another time and do some more exploring. I volunteered to tailgun this trail for Alex, so most of my pictures are from the back of the group.

Part of our group stopped at the trailhead
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127647-1/IMG_2968.JPG

The group kicking up dust on a faster section at the start of the trail
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127653-1/IMG_2971.JPG

Slowed to a stop waiting for everyone to ascend Big Ugly Hill
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127667-1/IMG_2978.JPG

Climbing Big Ugly Hill
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127675-1/IMG_2982.JPG

Waiting for a torn sidewall to be repaired....the only carnage from the day
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127693-1/IMG_2991.JPG

Heading down some narrow and eroded switchbacks
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127715-1/IMG_3002.JPG

Crossing Strike Ravine
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127743-1/IMG_3016.JPG

[IntrepidXJ]

Great views of the snow capped La Sal Mountains from this area
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127771-1/IMG_3030.JPG

Playing around during lunch at Area BFE
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127781-1/IMG_3035.JPG

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127819-1/IMG_3054.JPG

Headed back from Area BFE
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127889-1/IMG_3089.JPG

Headed back up the same switchbacks we had descended earlier
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127623-1/IMG_3103.JPG

[IntrepidXJ]

After making it back to the highway with plenty of daylight left, a few of us decided to take a smaller group and head up to the overlook on Moab Rim. I have tried Moab Rim before, and because of my fear of heights, I had never made it to the overlook. I am now happy to report that I have got over my fear of heights and was able to make it to the top :)

Starting up Moab Rim
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127920-1/IMG_3107.JPG

Devil's Crack
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127930-1/IMG_3112.JPG

Some of the group
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127948-1/IMG_3121.JPG

Headed up the Z-Turn
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127966-1/IMG_3130.JPG

Following the slickrock
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127978-1/IMG_3136.JPG

Our group parked at the overlook parking area
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/127998-1/IMG_3146.JPG

[IntrepidXJ]

Great views from the overlook. Overlooking Moab and across to the La Sal Mountains
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/128020-1/IMG_3157.JPG

Vince at the overlook
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/128026-1/IMG_3160.JPG

Great views while heading back down
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/128046-1/IMG_3170.JPG

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/128054-1/IMG_3174.JPG

Headed back down the Z-Turn
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/128068-1/IMG_3181.JPG

..and finally, back down Devil's Crack
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/128082-1/IMG_3188.JPG

It turned out to be another great day of wheeling and exploring!

Full galleries can be found here:

Strike Ravine (http://www.myxj.net/g2/v/2008trips/NAXJA25th/strike_ravine/)
Moab Rim (http://www.myxj.net/g2/v/2008trips/NAXJA25th/moab_rim/)

[JP]

Great pics with this run :2thumbs: Man, I'm really having withdrawals :lol8: