Moab.
The name whispers off the lips with a promise of adventure, mystery, camaraderie and accomplishment.
It is at once a mecca, an amusement park not for the weak of heart. A place where legends are made, fears are conquered and luck can change just as fast as the weather. A spot where names like Hell’s Revenge, Coyote Canyon, Metal Masher, and Poison Spider are both locations on a map as well as what someone may swear under their breath.
It is a place that calls to anyone who has ever owned a four-wheel drive vehicle. Something pulling at them. Tugging with a simple, soft voice that simply calls only one word.
Moab.
”I’ve seen things happen at Moab that I’ve never seen happen anywhere else,” says Quadratec’s Outside Events Coordinator Craig Jaros. “It’s simply an awesome place that is all but unequaled in the four-wheel community for what it offers.”
Starting Saturday, and running through Easter Sunday, Moab hosts the 50th anniversary and 51st edition of a little event called the Easter Jeep Safari. Little, that is, as in Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, or Daytona 500 little.
For just over a week, this small eastern Utah town headlines the 4x4 world as thousands descend on the area for some of the world’s best off-roading and scenery. Jeep itself even uses the event to springboard several concept vehicles, many of which offer the public sneak glances of future production designs.
The event is currently run by Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc.
“We as an organization are very excited for the 50th Anniversary (51st Annual) Moab Easter Jeep Safari,” said Red Rock 4-Wheelers President Robert Humphreys in a letter for the event. “We have been working diligently this year. Things are coming together as planned. The club has worked on trail maintenance as well as how to make your experience even better than before.”
“For those of you who have been attending this exciting event over the years, we are sure you have noticed changes over the past 50 years. However, as a jeep club, we have not lost sight of making this the best Jeeping event you attend all year.”
Quadratec has attended the EJS for over a decade, and for 2017 the company is helping out with two standalone trail rides, as well as the popular ‘first timers’ trail ride package, and perhaps the most anticipated event of the week – Quadratec’s Moab BBQ.
”We go all over the country throughout the season, but Moab is always right up there with our favorite time of year,” Jaros said. “Not only for the scenic trail events and great people, but we really look forward to getting those great Jeeps on the (Moab Grand County High) football field with many our of vendors, and entertaining at our BBQ.”
Quadratec’s 8th annual BBQ event is set for Tuesday, April 11 and the company expects its biggest crowd ever. Last year’s gathering, despite some nasty weather, attracted over 2,000 people who were able to check out some of the wildest individual and vendor Jeep vehicles around, as well as mingle with vendor reps and industry media. The BBQ is available to EJS volunteers as well as those who have pre-registered for the EJS.
”The weather wasn’t the best last year, but it didn’t affect the turnout at all,” Jaros said. “It seems like (the BBQ) has turned into a destination event for the week.”
But the area wasn't always known for 4x4 vehicles, trails, and BBQ dinners.
For most of its life, Moab was a quiet 'trading-post' type town on the banks of the Colorado River. In the early 1900s, mining became prevalent as uranium and vanadium were discovered. Soon after came potash and manganese, then oil and gas. In the 1950s, Moab became the so-called "Uranium Capital of the World" after a rich deposit of uranium ore was found south of the city. Thus began a population explosion to the area.
However, the city wanted to be known for more than just mining and minerals. Residents wanted to show off the area's beauty to a nation of potential visitors just starting to branch out and travel thanks to new Interstate Highways.
So they turned to something called 'Behind The Rocks'.
While this probably sounds like it should be some historical cable channel documentary, in reality it is a challenging Moab-area trail. And in late March 1967, the Moab Chamber of Commerce decided they wanted to organize a new four-wheel drive event the Saturday before Easter on that trail; calling it an ‘experiment in a non-commercial, good-will activity’ which hoped to attract those new visitors.
What resulted, however, far exceeded anyone’s expectations.
The 1967 inaugural trail event drew nearly 150 vehicles out for that ride on Behind the Rocks trail. Starting this Saturday, that ‘experiment’ will now see around 2,000 vehicles and 10,000 people converge in Moab - making the EJS the largest four-wheel drive event in the world. This year’s celebration involves 38 trails from easy to ‘good luck’ and takes all kinds of detailed planning by Red Rock 4-Wheelers Inc, which took over the EJS 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.
"(Taking over the event) transformed the club to what it is today," Red Rock 4-Wheelers says on its site. "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."
While many attending the EJS pick and choose what trails they want to conquer each day, organizers learned through event feedback a few years ago that others felt they had picked trails too difficult, or were simply unsure what rides were the best for their ability level. So a tiered system was devised for those who wanted the guesswork taken out of event planning. A 'First Timers', 'Sophomore', and 'Junior' package are now available for first, second, and third year EJS-goers. These packages are not required, but are customized three-day tours that allow interested riders the ability to stay with the same group all three days, and experience carefully selected trails.
In 2017, Quadratec is sponsoring the "First Timers' package which includes trail runs on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for those new to the Moab scene.
Sunday's run eases riders into the week with a 51-mile, two-rated trail called Chicken Corners. This ride follows the scenic Colorado River downstream, climbs and then descends the Cane Creek Anticline at Hurrah Pass, then rejoins the Colorado River before ending at Dead Horse Point. The trail itself is mostly gravel, dirt and sand, but also features sandstone bedrock.
Monday's ride switches to a more challenging three-rated trail named Secret Spire, which is a 73-mile run between Hellroaring and Spring Canyons. This venture heads to both deep and shallow sections of each, before visiting a strange rock tower of Navajo Sandstone named for the trail itself. The trail consists of pavement, dirt and sand, with portions of slickrock that allows for more moderate four-wheeling.
Tuesday finishes up the package with a slightly more difficult four-rated trail called Copper Ridge, which is a 64-mile section of several roads north of Moab near Arches National Park and just east of the Moab fault. It provides views of the Klondike Bluffs and Tower Arches as well as other arches and hills that may even show off some nicely exposed dinosaur bones. The trail itself is mostly made up of dirt, rocks and some slickrock which will somewhat challenge riders on the final day.
"First timers to Moab have spoken and they definitely wanted something easier than trying to blindly pick out trails each day that may or may not be of use to them," Jaros said. "We're extremely excited to sponsor the 'First Timers' package and provide those new to Moab a series of three specially-selected trails that will challenge them, while giving them an idea of what the area is about."
Nearly everyone who attends Moab does look forward to that challenge of riding trails which are unlike just about anywhere else. However, where there are riders there also can be trail damage. Which is why Quadratec - along with Tread Lightly and Red Rock 4 Wheelers - is helping sponsor a trail maintenance event Tuesday at Hey Joe Canyon. This area is a former mining site northwest of Moab near the Green River which is subject to rockfalls from above and collapse from below. During Tuesday's repair project, the group will install approximately 300 feet of range near the entrance to Hey Joe Canyon, clear overgrown vegetation along the trail and repair washed out sections of the trail. This reconstruction and clear out will help ensure successful future riding opportunities.
"Hey Joe Canyon Trail is a great trail for folks to get their first experience of the river bottoms and red rock canyons that the Moab area offers," said Evan Robins, Education and Stewardship Program Manager for Tread Lightly! "Because of the trails close proximity to the Green River, vegetation along the river bottom can quickly overgrow the trail making it difficult for full sized vehicles to make it though. Because of this need, Tread Lightly! and Quadratec - along with a number of volunteers - will work to clear the overgrown sections of the trail, repair any washed out areas, and install range fencing to protect delicate washes."
"Special thanks to Quadratec, Moab Tour Company, Red Rock 4 Wheelers, Moab BLM, and RIDE ON Utah for making this project a possibility and for helping ensure that Hey Joe Canyon Trail stays open for future generations to enjoy."
Following Tuesday's trail maintenance event, Quadratec finishes off its week with sponsored trail rides on Thursday and Friday.
Thursday's ride is a four-rated trail called '3D' that traverses a somewhat more-difficult area northwest of Moab near Blink Spring and Hidden Canyon. Along the 59-mile trek, riders visit the canyon bottom, rim and then a high overlook of the area - hence the '3D name'. Riders also get views of Sandstone-rimmed cliffs that are unique to the area, and different that any other spot in Moab. Rocks, dirt, sand, and slickrock are trail surfaces and some of the tougher climbs include obstacles called 'The Wall', 'Airport View Hill', and 'Mean Hill'.
Those attending Friday's run head to Deadman Point, a 90-mile three-rated trail northwest of Moab near a bowknot bend section of the Green River. This ride is designed to finish off the week with relaxing scenic views overlooking the Green River, as well as Hellroaring Canyon, Spring Canyon, and Cleopatra's Chair. Road surfaces range from rock, sand, dirt and slickrock, to small ledges that demand some attention, but this trail ride is mainly about the view as - for many - this will be their last ride of the week.
"We feel like we've picked out two trail events this year that will give riders some of the best scenic views around, while still giving them some good obstacles to overcome," Jaros said. "Nothing stressful, but something fun to finish off the week on a high note."
Then, seemingly just as fast as the week starts, the EJS finishes up with Big Saturday - where those who remain and are still registered for trail events, all gather in town to head out together. For the EJS is now nearly over for another year.
Leaving only memories to remain.
And whispers.
