by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
Behind the Rocks.
While this probably sounds like some historical cable channel documentary, in reality it is a challenging eastern Utah trail where the whole thing started 54 years ago. It was then, in late March 1967, when the Moab (Utah) Chamber of Commerce decided to organize a new four-wheel drive event the Saturday before Easter; an ‘experiment in a non-commercial, good-will activity’ hoping to attract new visitors to an area more known for its contribution to the nuclear industry.
What resulted, however, far exceeded anyone’s expectations.
The 1967 inaugural trail event drew nearly 150 vehicles out to ride on Moab’s Behind the Rocks trail. Now, over the next week-plus, that ‘experiment’ will see thousands of vehicles and people converge in Moab for the 55th annual Easter Jeep Safari — making it arguably the largest four-wheel drive event in the world.
Additionally, many of the Jeep aftermarket’s biggest vendors make the trip to Moab as well to show off their latest wares and interact with Jeep enthusiasts from all over the world. In fact, Jeep has also attached itself pretty much hand-in-hand with EJS, and uses the event to launch several one-of-a-kind concept vehicles each year that highlight products and industry trends.
It really is a trifecta of four-wheeling, sight-seeing and, er, product-seeking that almost no other event can match.
This year’s celebration runs Saturday, March 27 through Sunday, April 4, involves around 38 trails from easy to ‘good luck’ and is now organized and maintained by Red Rock 4-Wheelers Inc.
While last year’s EJS was canceled because of health considerations stemming from COVID — the first closure in event history — organizers did everything they could this year to make sure it would not be shuttered again. However, despite all those efforts, it appeared for a bit earlier in February that EJS would again go silent due to health concerns.
This time, though, extensive dialogue between Red Rock 4-Wheelers and the Grand County Council resulted in approval of a special permit that ensured EJS would move forward.
”Red Rock 4 Wheelers would like to thank the Utah Public Lands Alliance for their efforts that facilitated this dialogue,” Red Rock 4-Wheelers said in a statement. “There are countless other organizations, partners, and individuals that furthered this conversation, and we thank them all, and genuinely appreciate the support.”
Last year would have been Quadratec’s 10th anniversary in Moab as a sponsor, and this year the company is bringing along its 30th Anniversary YJL build to do some trail exploring, as well as spending some time at the Dixie 4 Wheel Off Road Expo. Additionally, Quadratec is sponsoring First- and Second-Timers trail runs during the week, and will host several giveaways and dole out many special “EJS-only” items.
“We were sad last year’s Easter Jeep Safari was not able to happen, not just for everyone who couldn’t attend, but for everyone in the town as well,” said Quadratec’s Special Projects Organizer and Video Production Manager Eric Ammerman. “But we’re excited to be here this year and we’ve brought along a bunch of special items, and our new custom YJL build. We can’t wait to show it off.”
The Red Rock 4-Wheelers organization took over this Moab tradition back in 1983, when new rules and regulations were enforced and securing permits were necessary to keep the event moving forward. Yet for all its size and scope, the Safari still maintains its humble roots as everyone associated with the event volunteers their time and talent to make it a success.
For those who don’t know, Moab wasn’t always the 4x4 destination spot it is today. For much of its life, the town was a small agricultural and trading settlement on the banks of the Colorado River. However, in the early 1900s, stores of uranium and vanadium were discovered which led to a mining boom in the area.
Eventually, potash, manganese, oil and gas all were actively extracted in the area before geologists discovered even larger uranium ore deposits in the early 1950s. This resulted in Moab’s short-lived title as “Uranium Capital of the World" and a nearly 500% population increase up to nearly 6,000 residents.
Filmmakers also discovered the area, using it as a backdrop for numerous Westerns and television shows which helped boost tourism to the extremely picturesque area. So too did several magazine articles which highlighted Moab’s rich array of mining and hiking trails – leading to a surge of adventure seekers as well as four-wheelers looking for the best in off-road activity.
When the Moab Easter Jeep Safari began in 1967, the area Chamber of Commerce looked to capitalize on this trend, as well as attract more visitors to the area. And for many years the free event grew, while establishing traditions like the ‘Big Saturday’ parade where all vehicles line up on the Saturday before Easter, then head out of town at the same time. Eventually the torch was passed in 1983 to Red Rocks 4-Wheelers who have helped the nine-day event become what it is today.
Besides sponsoring trail events and participating in the Expo, Quadratec normally hosts a Tuesday night BBQ during EJS week that is highly anticipated by those who register with Red Rock 4-Wheelers. However, because of health concerns this year, the BBQ had to be scrapped. Quadratec looks forward to everyone getting back out to the Grand County High School Football Field in 2022.
But while the BBQ event may be dark this year, getting out to the red rocks and seeing so many amazing people and vehicle is still exciting for Quadratec, said company YouTube Personality Rob Jarrell.
”During a normal year, we go all over the country throughout the season, and Moab is always right up there with our favorite time of year,” he said. “Not only for the scenic trail events and unbelievable scenery, but we really look forward to interacting with so many great people who attend this fantastic event.”
Quadratec will have its Dixie 4 Wheel Off Road Expo booth open on March 30-31 from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., and the company’s YJL build is set to be on-hand for all to see. Special giveaway items will be at the booth each day, and numerous contests throughout the expo could get lucky winners a Quadratec Gift Card.
And, of course, then there are the concepts.
In all, Jeep is bringing seven of them along this year to EJS — including the first ever all-electric Wrangler, dubbed Magneto.
Jeep is set to unveil these concepts Wednesday in its traditional spot at the Walker Drug parking lot right in the heart of Moab.
Joining Magneto this year will be former concept Wrangler 392 that is currently a production vehicle, Red Bare which is a diesel Gladiator that has a ton of Mopar products, Commando Beach – a 1968 resto mod built on a 2020 Wrangler platform that offers both new, and old, features, Orange Peelz which incorporates an open-air scheme with numerous Mopar products, Farout which is a Gladiator that was scheduled as a 2020 concept release, as well as Top Dog; another Gladiator that offers up a unique bed storage system.
You can read more on these concepts in our EJS concept reveal.
While new product information, plenty of vendors, and Jeep with its concepts are all nice, the meat of EJS is the daily trail rides which show off Moab’s extensive trail system. Here you can find anywhere from dirt roads with a few rocks here and there, to trails that provide the ultimate test for you and your vehicle. And one where that Jeep may not drive away without some serious damage.
The names are iconic like Hells Revenge, Steelbender, Metal Masher, Poison Spider, Seven Mile Rim, Moab Rim, Elephant Hill, Golden Spike, and many more.
Each day, these trails are filled with EJS riders looking to prove their skill, enjoy the scenery and spend some time with friends — new and old.
Over the past few years, Quadratec has sponsored trail runs for newer Jeep owners attending EJS, and this year is no exception.
On Wednesday of EJS week, the company is hosting a First-Timers run at Buttes and Towers, a 3-rated trail (out of 10) that will have plenty of scenery and a few challenges for those attending EJS for the first time.
Thursday is Quadratec’s Sophomore sponsored run at Fins and Things, a 4-rated trail designed to be a bit more of a test to those still learning about the off-road life, but possessing skills higher than novice level. You may remember Fins and Things from Quadratec’s 2018 Fly and Drive Contest – where winner Ed Tripp spent the day overcoming obstacles from his past.
Of course, no EJS would be complete without spending time with Tread Lightly! and helping clear up trail damage. A few years ago, we headed out to Hey Joe Canyon to create bypasses and trim back brush to ensure the trail would not close. And the company is headed there again this year as overgrowth has severely impacted the trail.
_____
Quadratec’s encompassing 2021 Moab EJS coverage begins Friday, March 26 with daily diary-style commentary, as well as photos, blog posts, interviews and trail highlights. In addition, the company’s social platforms will have live event coverage and posts from the Dixie 4 Wheel Drive Expo, trail rides, concept reveal and around town.
