Easter Jeep Safari. Moab, UT. 4/12-4/20

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in adventure, blog, Events, Travel

Jeep Safari Week

Jeep Safari Week

The time is here again to kick off another amazing week in Moab! Easter jeep safari has been taking place in Moab since the 80’s and each year it seems to get a little bigger and a little better.
COME MEET MEMBERS OF THE US191 TEAM ! We are so pleased to be a part of the expo for Jeep Safari this year! We have made shirts specific for this event, so be sure to get your Jeep Safari souvenir!
The expo will take place on Thursday the 17th ( 7am-8pm) and Friday the 18th (7am-6pm) inside and outside of the Spanish Trail Arena just south of Moab right off US 191 ! This part of the event is open to the general public. Come see everything 4 -wheeling and get information on future 4 – wheeling.
This 9 day event attracts people from all over the world. Each day offers 9 different locations/trails to be explored departing from Moab . “Big Saturday ” caps off the event with the largest ever single trail ride departure happening . 30 groups line up in downtown Moab to head off in very direction to hit 30 different trails!
There is still time and space to register online for this awesome event at www.rr4w.com !
A few things you will want to know before hand, despite the name, not just jeeps are allowed. There are no restrictions as to what type of make and model, but high ground clearance and 2 speed transfer case are expected in whatever you choose to drive. NO ATV’s or UTV’s. vehicles must have an integral metal top or roll bar. All cars must be road legal with proper brakes, safety belts, etc. recommended items include a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, tow strap, spare tire, and jack. Be sure to pack your food, non-alcoholic beverage , plenty of water, sun protection , and proper gear for unpredictable weather.
Please be sure to swing by the booth, can’t wait to see all of you 4-wheeling fans in Moab this week!

Fishing in Montana

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in Travel

rainbow191While I was walking my puppy along Madison River the other day, I stumbled upon a local Bozeman Montana fisherman by the name of  Dylan. I asked him what was biting this time of year, and he told me that he was fishing for rainbow trout being that its towards the end of spawning awning season, but that there are browns out right now as well .

A simple question that lead to a lengthy conversation about the many pleasures of the river.

Where I met Dylan was at the back end of the Beartrap Canyon at the beginning of the lower Madison. He had chosen that spot because not only was it one of his favorites due to the beautiful rock formations that surround it, but also because he had just read in his Orvis fly fishing app that the fishing was hot there right now. Dylan presumed this was because of all of the pocket water. The pockets are created by larger rocks that the fish can hide behind in a slower current to watch their food float by in the faster current ripe for the taking. Hunters themselves, I guess we are all searching for something.

Dylan was using fly rod with a Nymph set up and all hand made flies.  Clearly very knowledgeable and a master of his craft, he showed me all of the patters that work best for sub-surface fishing.  Among this list was a San Juan worm (which is what he was using) , serendipity, yarn egg, pheasant tail, and prince nymph. The list goes on, but this is what he found seemed to be working best with the trout for him. He also explained that streamer fishing is another effective technique when fishing for trout.

This time of year there is also midge hatching which may lead you to seeing some people doing dry fly fishing.  Whatever kind of fishing you are indulging in, just be sure to make sure you so within regulations of FWP. (Fish, Wildlife, and Parks) These regulations mot only stipulate where you may fish and what you may fish for, but also what you may use to fish with, whether or not an area is catch and release only, and some of these regulations vary by season. Be sure to pick up FWP guide at any fly shop or sporting goods store before you head out on the river. Equally as important, a fishing license is a must! The cost for a non-resident is 15$ for 2 days, and  an  additional  10$ for conservation. For a Montana resident , it is only 18$ for the whole season! There is hell to pay if you get caught without one, but why would anyone not want to support something where there money goes back in to the very thing that they enjoy?

This principal among many others that Dylan and I discussed along the Madison that day was one that left me thankful for fisherman like him. When I asked Dylan what was special about fishing for him, he responded ” This time of year is all about solitude. No one is guiding yet, so you only see locals and the fish are biting because it’s right before spring runoff. It’s peaceful and productive”

Worlds Largest Rope Swing, Moab UT

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in adventure, blog, Travel

I will admit, I am a dare devil at heart. I enjoy anything that really gets the adrenaline going. Such as, but not limited to, speed in any sort of motor sport, defiance of nature; such as white water rafting, camping with bears, tornado watching, etc, or anything that challenges my fear of heights. So far to conquer this fear I have pushed myself a bit further each time when rock climbing, conquered the world tallest zipline, and jumped out of a perfect;y good airplane.

None of things I imagine compare to the thrill of the World’s Largest Rope Swing.

There are many things I will never forget about my first trip to Moab. One of which being the very concerned phone call that I received from my parents. Knowing my darting heart (and just learning how to use the internet) they had seen a video of a man who tried to ride the “swing” and tragically lost his life. I am fully an adult, but there are sometimes that my parents still feel the need to be parents (as most do) and evidentially this constituted. They made it very clear to me that this was NOT on the parents approved list of adventures. Naturally, this left me curious. I thought I must investigate this tomorrow.

To my surprise, later that night I met up with two of my friends for a bonfire that I conquered the “swing” that very day! I had envisioned this swing all set up, just there for the taking, but in fact, it is much more complicated than that. In order to ride the swing, you must first set it up. This requires not only the knowledge, but also very expensive equipment (good rope isn’t cheap). Luckily, my buddies had both.

They showed me a video on their phones that left me even more intrigued. Even with all of their skill and careful planning, they did not fully escape without injury. My friend Al had a rope burn to his neck that could have been a lot worse. All of these fear factors aside, in that moment, I added the swing to my personal life list.

Being that I will be headed back to Moab in a little over a week to run a booth for US191.com at Jeep Safari Week (more information on that to come) I was thinking about this swing. Will it finally be my time?

When I was researching the World’s Largest Rope Swing online, I found this video….enjoy

http://youtu.be/4B36Lr0Unp4largest swing

Cycle Montana Road Tour

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in adventure, blog, Events, Historical, Travel

We often miss so much of the world that surrounds us because we are moving too fast.  It’s not just the sights to take in, but the culture, the history of the land, nature; the circle of life that unnoticeable to most of us fuels our land and our bodies. Sometimes it’s a good idea to slow down for a moment to actually slow down and appreciate all of these things.

When I was searching for upcoming events of US 191 today, this came up on the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce page:

Starting June 21st , spend a week bicycling through the scenic valleys and over the mountain passes of western and southwestern Montana. Beginning in Adventure Cycling’s hometown of Missoula, follow the Bitterroot River upstream before climbing over Lost Trail and Chief Joseph passes. After crossing the Continental Divide, descend into the Big Hole Valley, a basin that is so sparsely populated that you may occasionally feel as if you’ve ridden back in time a hundred years.

All I can say is, what a great idea! I hope I see many people out there participating in this fun, amazing, eye-opening experience! bitteroot river montana

Backpacking in Grand Teton

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in adventure, blog, Travel

If you are looking for a great three day backpacking trip in Grand Teton National Park, the Moose Basin Divide is highly recommended.  There are a number of different routes, but I explored a route starting at the Glade Creek Trailhead along Grassy Lake Road per research of others opinions before the hike.

All backcountry camping requires a permit. Backcountry camping permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis no more than one day before the start of your trip. It is easy to get a permit, just go into the Flagg Ranch and request one.

From the trailhead the trail heads south along the Snake River, starting out in a burned forest that is slowly coming back to life. The trail here is an easy flat walk with not much change in elevation. You will know that you are getting closer to Jackson Lake as the Snake River gets wider.  This is an open area with plenty of sun and not very much drinker water, so be sure to bring the proper supplies to avoid burning and dehydration.

From Jackson Lake, it’s on to Berry Creek. The ford between the two is easy, less than a foot deep.  After the ford follow the Webb Canyon Trail. It is easy to get off point here, so be sure to check your map. Webb Canyon is lined with a lot of dead trees and some tricky slopes to be cautions of as well. In the entire park you also run risk of being in bear country, so be sure to make a lot of noise and carry spray. Be aware that the park service requires park-approved bear canisters to be used in the backcountry. The park provides canisters free of charge.

I did this hike in the spring. The best time in my opinion because the trails and open areas were lined with wildflowers. A good stopping point for the second night is between the Webb Canyon Patron Cabin and Moose Basin Divide.  The camp has great views and is near a water source for cooking/replenishing your supplies.

On the morning of the third day, you’ll cross Moose Basin Divide. The trail gets fairly rocky and there are awesome rock formations all around as you hike toward the Divide. Be sure to bring a camera.

The next hike is into Owl Creek Canyon. This is fairly steep in spots but not too tricky at all. The final (3rd) night of camping is in Owl Canyon, just before the Owl Creek ford.  In this spot you will enjoy spectacular views of the canyon on one side and a beautiful forest on the other. This spot is known for Elk gazing because of the lay of the land, but I did not see any elk on my trip.

The ford across Owl Creek is pretty cold, but not very deep. Here, I took the cutoff for the Berry Creek trail to Glade creek trail as it was suggested by other hikers. The cutoff to Berry Creek lands you in slightly deeper waters, but as always, spectacular views and seemingly no other hikers.

This route is challenging without being too difficult. The peace and serenity found within the quiet and lack of other hikers is what I enjoyed most.

For more information please visit http://www.nps.gov/

A side note from the National Park Service: When planning a backcountry camping trip in Grand Teton National Park, backpackers should expect to travel no more than 2 miles per hour. Add an additional hour for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Also, trip planning that requires going over more than one pass in a day is not recommended.

 

 

Backpacking to Owl Canyon

Backpacking to Owl Canyon

Geysers of Yellowstone

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in adventure, blog, Historical, Travel

Yellowstone contains the majority of the worlds geysers.  Much of Yellowstone Par is inside an ancient volcanic crater that exploded over 600,000 years ago. Even though the explosion took place that long ago, reminisce from the heat is still seen on the surface today in the form of geysers and other thermal features such as hot springs, fumaroles, and mudpots.

Geysers of Yellowstone

Geysers of Yellowstone

Geysers in fact are a form of a hotspring. They are most hot at the deepest points that are closest to the hot rock at the bottom of the geyser. The cooler water above doesn’t allow the boiling water to simply steam out because of the weight of the water above. Therefore, the boiling water is released in channels which is why we see eruptions  and overflow of these geysers.How hot springs and geysers differ is that hotsprings do not need to “boil” or erupt to release heat. The underlying hot water of a hotspring is close enough to the surface that it can release it’s hot water in the form of steam/vapor or runoff.

The real appeal to these majestic beauties is not how they operate, but rather how they look. It gives me the accurate feeling as if I have gone back in time and entered some sort of alternate universe like the Land Before Time when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The geysers are indeed that old and a great look into the history of our planet. As natures wonders go, these are a must see any time of the year.

Rock Climbing In Moab

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in adventure, blog, Travel

Moab is close to some of the greatest desert climbing in the world.  Mostly a traditional climber’s paradise, there are also amazing areas to sport climb, go canyoneering, and bouldering almost year round.   Indian Creek is possibly the most famous crack climbing in the world and leaves little to the imagination when you experience the seemingly infinitely walls.  People come from all over the world to test themselves in this ultra-classic area.  Beginners or first time climbers will want to contact Moab Adventure Center or one of the other guide shops in Moab.

 The best time of year depends on the actual weather Moab is experiencing that year.  The summer months, with their hot and sticky days, mean the climbing is typically best October through January, but the spring months offer some cooler days for good friction as well.  During a wet spring you may find some climbs difficult to get to or climb.  Bouldering can be good almost any time of year and can be found anywhere from off the highway to deep in the desert away from civilization.

 Utah has amazing climbing in much of the state, and many of the classic climbs are in National Parks so be respectful of the terrain and the ethics of climbing, which may be specific to your area.  For instance people want to be able to climb the Castleton and Fisher Towers for generations to come, but they are also a popular hiking destination so stay on trails and follow cairns to avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem.  Erosion happens quick in the desert and it can increase with human impact, even the classics climbs will change over time, so be aware of your own climbing ability as accidents do happen.

 Whatever your reason for going to Moab as a climbing choice, try to hook up with a local and experience the beauty that the rock in this small town off 191 has to offer.”

 

rock climbing in Moab

rock climbing in Moab

Federal Government Shutdown on National Parks

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in adventure, blog, Travel

As Congress gridlocked, Obama said a “shutdown will have a very real economic impact on real people, right away.” This speaks true not only to park employees but to the thousands of visitors who have planned their trip of a lifetime to any one of the beautiful USA National Parks. Although it is not peak tourism season, all of us at us191.com recolonize that this still greatly effects tourist on a large scale. That is why in this post we are encouraging you to still travel. In life, the only thing that is consistent is change. Remember that this may only alter your plans slightly; walk instead of drive, camp instead of staying in one of the parks grand hotels, cook over a fire as opposed to having a delicious meal prepared for you. In other words, let’s get back to the basics. All things are possible when we look past the problem and onward to the solution. Just because the government is taking time making their decisions, doesn’t mean that you have to.
Also, let’s not forget the importance of supporting local business to the area. A lot of the smaller towns on the outskirts of our National Parks would love for you to vote with your dollars. They have all of the little trinkets you could hope to get in the park gift shops, but at a fraction of the price. Now, don’t get me wrong, we are all for supporting the parks when people are able to, but for now, don’t forget the world of wonderful alternatives!
Don’t let the small things slow you down, and don’t forget to LIVE OUT LOUD!Grand Tetons National Park

2013 Easter Jeep Safari Saturday, March 23 – Sunday, March 31, 2013

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in Travel

Check out Moab Jeep Safari and other epic 4-wheeling adventures!!!!

A letter from a member of the Moab Chamber of Commerce:

Jeep Safari: The Jeep Safari was started in 1967 by the Moab Chamber of Commerce. The very 1st trail was “Behind the Rocks Trail” (according to what has been told to the club President, the road was made or improved with a BLM employee and equipment.) The “Moab Rim” was then added the next year. In those days, individual ice cream packages were dropped by airplane to the trails at lunch. All the leaders were Chamber members, there was no charge or entry fee, and only a Saturday trail. To register you showed up Saturday morning and signed up for the trail you wanted. The Safari was run this way through 1982 at which point the BLM required a permit and insurance. The Chamber was no longer able to run the safari and approached the club to run this event.
The Jeep Safari itself, and participation in the event has grown since the club officially formed in the early 80s. Once the event was coordinated by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, the registration moved from the Chamber building north of town, to Lion’s Park, and on to what was called “the Barn” which is where McStiff’s is currently located near Center and Main. Over the years the increase in participation grew to expand the trail riding to more days until it finally reached a nine day event. “Big Saturday” still remains the culmination of the event on the Saturday of Easter weekend. With the increase in numbers, the registration was moved to the Spanish Trail Arena where it is located today several miles south of the city of Moab on highway 191. This also became the location for the raffle, Boy Scout BBQ dinner, and vendor showcase.
Red Rock 4-Wheelers: A few years prior to 1983 the club had been formed as a small local organization by George Schultz. Most of the meetings were held in members homes. In the early months of 1983 after agreeing to take over the Easter Jeep Safari members (Leaders) were being recruited to run the Safari. And that transformed the club to what it is today. We have gone through many changes and added many new members, but we haven’t forgotten that the club was formed as a family club to have fun and promote responsible 4-wheeling. So now, instead of just Jeep Safari, we have the Labor Day Camp Out, trails of the month, we cleanup and mark the trails, and participate in other club outings. We also work to keep the roads that we have open.jeeps_on_hill

Rally On The Rocks, Moab Utah

Written by Jennifer on . Posted in adventure, Events

Mark your calendarrallyontherocks  Wednesday May 15th through Saturday May 18th.  Rally on the Rocks forth annual event!  Fun for all ages and the scenery is second to none!

Rally On The Rocks offers trails for the beginner with incredible scenery and vistas to the most challenging and demanding that will be sure to test driver and machine. Each day we have numerous guided, utv friendly, trails planned throughout the Moab area. Many including casual scenic routes and demanding technical routes for the most experienced operators.

New for 2013…. 3 Tech Trails!
Tech Trails are for those of you that want to push the limits of your rig and your mind. These trails are among the most difficult ROTR has to offer. In order to participate in a tech trail your rig must have the following REQUIRED items and MUST pass a free tech inspection onsite. You must have a long travel SXS, (factory long travel is ok. Polaris RZR S, RZR 4, XP, XP 4, Wildcat) winch, full under body skids, fix-it kit; air pump, plugs & straps, 4 point harnesses, 6 point cage. Driver and all passengers MUST wear a D.O.T. approved helmet.

For more information, please visit rallyontherocks.com