Hola-
I'm heading back to Moab for my yearly "Man-Vacation" this weekend, and am wondering if anyone has ridden the entire length of Gold Bar Rim-Golden Spike-Poison Spider Mesa. I know that some of those trails can have obstacles that just aren't possible on atv's. The Golden Crack turned me around 2 years ago, but I've been told you can get around it if you approach it in a different area. A buddy and I are thinking about trying all three trails in a day, from North to South, then either turn around and go back, or go into Moab if it's too late.
I've done Gold Bar Rim a number of times and don't consider any of that trail to be beyond my skills. I've done Golden Spike from Gold Bar Rim to Golden Crack, and that is doable as well for me. I'm most concerned about running into a very steep slickrock incline, that if I were to flip, there would be nothing to stop me or my SP500 from rolling right off some cliff. I'f I get myself killed, the Mrs might not let me come back next year! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
If anyone has any firsthand knowledge of Poison Spider Mesa or Golden Spike, I'd love to hear from you before Saturday, May 4, 2002. Thanks!
Scott

 

I rode all of those trails last week on a KTM250 two wheel. I would be woried about the same points you mentioned. We did see a guy running Cain Creek on a 4WD Polaris. He did fine (in most spots). The difference with Cain Creek is that it is in the canyon (not on top of the big rocks). The views are still awesome. If you are in the area, I would highly recommend Factory Butte /SwingArm City - very nice loamy hill climbs.

 

On the back side of Poison Spider, I don't think there is anything you can't get through. On the mountain bike we ride up the back side, then down the front along the cliff. The cliff side is single track, and near suicide even on a mountain bike, so the ATV won't go there. Can't remember much about the other rides (it's been a few years). You have inspired me to start thinking about a trip back there!!

 

We got there about 9;30am set up camp, then went for a ride, 1st stop potato salad hill only one crazy enough to try it, Dave, He is the only Atv I know to have ever made it, (he did need some help with hands on the front racks). next we went across the road and stared up Fins& Things trail, made it to the Car Wash, Dave with help did it(got Pic), Then over to Hells Gate Dave was the first to go down then me it is very steep, we decided to go back up every one else chickened out. Dave went first and needed a lot of help with the front end of that Polaris scrambler, then me every one must of forgot about me I was all most to the top before any came to help I told them to back off the cat seemed to be doing great. after I did it Richard we lovingly call him the BIG SHOW, borrowed a friend scrambler and tried he made it down fine but on the way back up he powered out and rolled 3 times down back wards he was ok, but the Polaris was now without brakes, no one would ride it out so I winched it up and out, we were headed out to get some new parts when Larry rolled his sportsman over the top of him the rest of the day was spent at the hospital with Larry 3 broken ribs and a cut from top of his nose to the hair line, it ripped the helmet of his head, but he will be OK. and this is just the first day.

2nd day Poison Spider Mesa

First let me say this is a great trail for ATV's very hard at times. After a big breakfast at Mickydees we headed out to the trail head, as we unloaded the Atv's there were some peddle bike riders getting ready to go, they gave us some mean looks one of there dogs even came over to Fred and was trying to bite him they just sat there he was about to kick it when it finely left. on the trail now first thing we came to was the Launching Pad, this was very steep and keep your tires spinning we all made it, the wedgie was next it was fun got some good Pic and video of us going threw it, I'll tell you their are some spots that will beet the best riders on this trail, if you are scarred of heights this is not a good ride for you, in fact most of Moad has high spots that can make you grip the seat of your bike with out using your hands, at Buck's Hill we had our 3rd roll over, luck was on Alan's side he landed in a depression filled with sand and the bike rolled over the top of him only scuffing the elbows, the Honda stared right backup and we keep going, next was Sky Line Dr. not for the faint of hart almost straight up and straight down no room for a mistake, I don't think you could walk this without using your hands and sliding, scared the he!! out of me when I seen the bike ahead of me going down on only his front wheels, I felt the back-end of my bike come up a couple of times, gets your hart going. their are many places with out names along this trail that get your attention a couple of 3 and 4 foot drop's that you will need help. The Golden Crack, I was told that no ATV could get threw this with out a lot of help Dave went first and when you look a the Pic you will see he needed a lot of help, Then me I did it with only one person helping. no one else want to try it so we grabbed a big log and put it in the crack so everyone could get across. Me and Dave did it without the log Polaris and Arctic Cat. this is were we ate lunch the view was incredible I can't describe it, next we went to the Dbl Whammy it was getting late so we decided to head back, we did remove the log. on the way back we ran into some Jeeps coming across the trail so we stopped and watched them go down a real hard spot the look on some of there faces was priceless when they seen what they had to do pure tearer. Tip for you remove the bumper before you do this trail or it will... not much happened on the way back some drag races in the sand and side hill climbs all and all a great ride but only if you are well prepared and have lots of experience

make sure you check out the Pic.

 

Bigdcred-Are there any trail guides you know of available for atv's or jeeps???

 

I do not know of any. we just got some mapes of the net and used them that worked fine. try typing in "MOAB UTAH" in yahoo you will get a lot of info.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

NICE[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]Bigdcred
Real nice

 

GREAT PIC OF UTAH/ WE GO EVERY YEAR TO THE ATV JAM IN RICHFIELD IN FACT THE PICTURE OF THE WILDLIFE RIDE 2000 WE TOOK THE WILDLIFE RIDE AND IN YOUR PIC IN THE BACK OF THE WHEELERS LOOKS LIKE US ME AND MY OLDEST BOY. HE IS WEARING THE RED AND TAN JACKET WITH BLACK PANTS. LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A RED AND YELLOW SP500 NEXT TO HIM ALSO A FRIEND WENT WITH US AND THE GUY IN THE GREEN SLICKER LOOKS LIKE OUR FRIEND I PRINTED THE PIC WILL SEE IF A CAN ENLARGE IT.

WILL BE THERE AGAIN THIS YEAR

 

Bigdcred,

Nice pics.. you're guys are nuts, 3 broken ribs doesn't sound good, but nice pics

 

I did'nt put the real good one on my page, it may have made some mothers cry,