Handlebars
NAXJA Member #135
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
Make it as hard or as easy as you like. The big challenges, Rockchucker and Widowmaker, are optional.
The .gpx file has tracks for the main trail and the Widomaker bypass as well as the waypoints from Charles Wells' Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, Second Edition, including one for the Widowmaker bypass as well as some of my own. The waypoints are labeled as follows:
Here’s a map to help orient yourself:
This is a big, optional ledge on the way in:
More fun
Rockchucker is entirely optional
It does favor a shorter wheelbase
The hardest part that can’t be bypassed is Mirror Gulch. That slickrock is well polished from tire spin!
This overlook makes a great lunch spot! Gemini Bridges road is directly below, further to the east is Hwy 191.
Here's the approach to Widowmaker. There are 2 parts to this challenge, the white XJ on the right is climbing the first series of off-camber broken down ledges, the green one to upper left is parked at the base of Widowmaker itself. In between is a large, flat parking area where vehicles can stage between the two obstacles.
These deteriorating ledges have been partially stabilized but are angled to ensure that you tilt to the right as you climb them. Loose dirt and rocks can cause you trouble where you least expect it.
On this day nobody was able to climb Widowmaker unassisted. There is nothing to anchor a winch to here unless you send a vehicle around the bypass.
Winching is slow when you have a bunch of vehicles to get through. Several stout guys on the business end of a towstrap was much faster.
Thanks to everybody in the tow crew for the safe trip!
There are two choices for the return trip:
1) Nine miles of the somewhat bumpy Gemini Bridges Road going back the way you came in.
2) Eighteen miles the other way on Gemini Bridges Road to Hwy 313 (the Island in the Sky Road) and then Hwy 191.
If you are comfortable driving your rig at highway speeds 313 will get you back more quickly.
The .gpx file has tracks for the main trail and the Widomaker bypass as well as the waypoints from Charles Wells' Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, Second Edition, including one for the Widowmaker bypass as well as some of my own. The waypoints are labeled as follows:
- 17## - Metal Masher
- Various other points of interest
Here’s a map to help orient yourself:
This is a big, optional ledge on the way in:
More fun
Rockchucker is entirely optional
It does favor a shorter wheelbase
The hardest part that can’t be bypassed is Mirror Gulch. That slickrock is well polished from tire spin!
This overlook makes a great lunch spot! Gemini Bridges road is directly below, further to the east is Hwy 191.
Here's the approach to Widowmaker. There are 2 parts to this challenge, the white XJ on the right is climbing the first series of off-camber broken down ledges, the green one to upper left is parked at the base of Widowmaker itself. In between is a large, flat parking area where vehicles can stage between the two obstacles.
These deteriorating ledges have been partially stabilized but are angled to ensure that you tilt to the right as you climb them. Loose dirt and rocks can cause you trouble where you least expect it.
On this day nobody was able to climb Widowmaker unassisted. There is nothing to anchor a winch to here unless you send a vehicle around the bypass.
Winching is slow when you have a bunch of vehicles to get through. Several stout guys on the business end of a towstrap was much faster.
Thanks to everybody in the tow crew for the safe trip!
There are two choices for the return trip:
1) Nine miles of the somewhat bumpy Gemini Bridges Road going back the way you came in.
2) Eighteen miles the other way on Gemini Bridges Road to Hwy 313 (the Island in the Sky Road) and then Hwy 191.
If you are comfortable driving your rig at highway speeds 313 will get you back more quickly.
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