Home / Adventures / 2004 / Moab
 
I don't know why I waited so long to drive Moab's Slickrock...It is like going to a 4wd Disneyland, except without the tracks. Oh, and you probably don't want to raise both hands in the air as you go down Lion's Back either...
Fins N' Things, Moab Utah
Date 9/19/2004
Trail Time 2-3 hours
Location From 191 in Moab, head east on E 300 S Street to s 400 E Street, Turn South. Go back East on Mill Creek Drive. Stay straight past the cemetery and continue on to Sand Flats Road. Lions Back is on private property just before the entrance to the Sand Flats / Slick Rock Park entrance. The trail starts at Camp Cluster E. Everything is well marked with a little Dinosaur.
Mapping / GPS / Waypoint File

.MPS File

Trail Rating: 3 (1-5 scale)

3

Approach and departure angles are more important than anything else on this trail. Expect to drag the rear bumper.

Major Obstacle No Major obstacles, just lots of fun challenges. There is are bypasses around the crazier stuff.
Brush (minor, moderate, severe) Minor
Scenic Value (1-5 scale) 4: Great views
Attendees

Scott Brady- 2004 Toyota Tacoma
Jack, Eric and Robb- 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser 80
Chuck- 2001 GMC ZR-2
Randi and Linda- 2004 Jeep Wrangler X
Trip Planning

Sand Flats Recreation Area
Moab/Grand Field Office
82 East Dogwood
Moab, UT 84532
Phone: 435.259.2100
Email: Mail_ut-moab@blm.gov

This trail is just fun! It starts with a nice ledge and 100 meter sandy hill climb that might challenge some vehicles. After that, it is one slickrock treat after another. The trail turns in every direction in an attempt to find the most exciting thing to climb. There is really not much to describe here other than it was a great time.

Use caution and a spotter if necessary, as some climbs have blind crests and weird drop-offs and cambered sections.


Video (3.5 mb) of Chuck's ZR2 making the sand climb

The brief rainstorm made things a little more interesting as the trail winds around the campsites and slickrock.
FJ80 Land Cruiser
Great Slickrock descent
Stock TJ Climb
ZJ2 lines up
Lion's Back

Lion's Back is one of those things I have always wanted to do. It really isn't that challenging of an obstacle, but the cost of making a mistake could be huge! There is a $10 fee to enter the private campground at the base of the famous fin. The first 30-40 feet are very steep, and all you see is sky. After that, the fin levels out a bit, and I just followed the black rubber tracks in front of me. Towards the top there are a few more interesting areas as you have to straddle a notch, and get very close to the edge. But for the most part, just follow the route.

I found the most intimidating part to be the turn-around at the top. With my long wheelbase and no spotter, I made about a 5 point turn. The view from the top was great, and the wind was blowing. It started to drizzle on the way back down.


Climbing Lion's Back Video (5.36mb)



Descending Lion's Back Video (8.9 mb)
 
See complete album