October 15, 2013
6:00AM

One of my favorite aspects of running trails in Moab is that you can (usually) leave the doors off.  Our jeep did not see doors the entire week.

But, this morning was a 6AM departure and a pretty long drive along the Colorado River.  It was freezing.  Some of the most beautiful scenery I have experienced in a long time.  But freezing.

We continued on Route 128 East.  After about 40 minutes, the road left the canyon and the river, opening up into a huge desert plateau.  We pulled off onto Onion Creek Road where we made a quick bathroom break and to air down.

Onion Creek Road is more of a forest service road.  It was recently impacted by flash flooding and heavy rains, and we encountered work crews trying to restore the road and the creek.  We counted at least 30 creek crossings, but have since heard the road repairs have drastically reduced that number.

The road took us deeper into the canyon, where we were surrounded by amazing views and harrowing canyons.

We stopped for one final break, on the floor of the canyon.  Surrounded by steep, jagged walls, the rush of Onion Creek, and beautiful deciduous trees that thrived along the water.

It was time to start climbing.

After about 1,000 feet of climbing and ridge running, the terrain gave way to a breathtaking expanse of alpine, desert meadow surrounded by jagged rock formations and mountains.

The trail narrowed, became rockier, and more of a trail than a road.  After some brief route finding, we were on our way to the famous “Rose Garden Hill,” a 1/4 mile uphill, rocky beast peppered with ledges, stairs, and other evils.

When we finally made it to RGH, it took us 4 hours to make the 1/4 mile jaunt.  Every rig had to winch, save for one that made it (albeit on the “tippy” option) on it’s own.  There was a ledge that somehow, snagged all of us, ending in a high centered situation.  A 4″ winch tug was all it took to get us over it.

With all that time on our hands, I managed to not take any photos.  We were all helping winch, build road, and spot.  So, below are a few stills I took from some GoPro footage of the section.

Eventually, we were back on the trail.  Our side trip to “Top of the World” would have to wait for another day as the sun was dipping lower and lower.

After a brief desert rain shower and some high speed forest road driving, we were soon back to Highway 128 for another long and freezing drive home.

WHAT CAME IN HANDY:

• Warn Zeon 8k Winch w/Spydura Synthetic Line
• Warn Elite Series stubby front bumper
• ARB Tree Protector strap
• Bushwacker Fender Flares

WHAT WOULD HAVE MADE IT BETTER:

• EVO Enforcer 3″ Lift Package
• 37″ Tires