Cruise Moab 2026. 29th Annual – Wanderin' the West

What a week! The pre cruise Moab run took us out to some of our favorite places in the San Rafael Swell. This year, Tim took us on some wild routes in what he dubbed the “Desert Scramble”. New groups each day to a same destination. Think I counted 21 vehicles… Good company, snow, and of course fantastic food would make the trip that much more.

Back in Moab, it was business as usual. This year being the 29th annual. A big event with attendees. I did a trail ride Thursday, sold some posters that night during vendor night, did some tourist things on Friday and actually won something at the raffle. Also gave a speech. Saturday, rode along with my pal Jeremiah.

The Desert Scramble

Back into Utah. Feels like I was just here:).

Camp at Fish Ford. Slowly the gang for this years Desert Scramble started to trickle into camp. We picked teams and team leaders for the next day before settling around the fire.

I gunned for todays group, my pal Andy lead. At the trailhead for the Dome Plateau trail just outside Cisco, Utah.

Feels good to be back out in the desert exploring with friends.

We checked out this old Uranium Mine a few years ago, we stopped again only to find the entrance sealed off.

She’s a beaut Clark!

La Sal’s in the distance.

Darin and his nicely built 100 series.

La Sal’s and Fisher Tower in the distance.

We crossed Highway 191 and headed west on dirt to Green River. Book Cliffs in the distance.

We made our way towards Crystal Geyser, south of Green River then cut north on a two track to get too town. This climb gave us a little bit of a challenge for the day.

And figuring out the line.

Got it.

Slowly but surely the group made it’s way up the obstacle.

Bruce’s turn.

We stopped in Green River to top off the tanks and get some snacks. After figuring out the issue with Darin’s ft air locker not disengaging, we headed west and into the San Rafael Swell for this nights camp. We took the easier rout to camp below Family Butte since the day was getting lat. Great to see the rest of the groups just settling in.

Another fine evening around camp with good friends.

Dinner prep.

Daniel and Bruce enjoying some refreshments.

And enjoying a fine meal prepped by Tim, Marco and Shawn.

After dinner, Tim laid out the next days routes and we picked groups.

Then it was time to enjoy the evening.

A candid shot of Andy from Marco using my camera.

Another fine day in the desert comes to an end.

Angelo taking in the sunset.

Up in time the next day to enjoy a fine sunrise.

Family Butte.

Then suddenly, the weather changed and the snow sit in. Thankfully clearing as we left camp.

Temple Mountain. We stopped at the organized camp briefly since there were pit toilets.

Lots of Uranium Mines around Temple Mountain. Most of them sealed up.

For the days adventure, Marco, our groups leader, took us south from Temple Mountain. Passing through some desert country we were just exploring month or so ago, this time with a lot less snow.

My beloved Henrys:).

Some great moonscape type country we passed through in route to the Muddy River.

Once again, crossing the Muddy River. Mike and Betsy’s turn.

Angelo.

Last time we made this climb, it was a muddy mess.

After a great new route, we found ourselves back in Capital Reef National Park. Stopped at Temple of the Sun/Moon for a bit and checked out Glass Mountain.

Glass Mountain and Temple of the Sun.

After a nice break, Marco took us on a slight detour to check out the Gypsum Sinkhole. Passed through some great country on the way there.

Spent some time checking out the Gypsum Sinkhole. Of course, talk of Graboids came up:).

Some great rock formations.

After leaving Capital Reef, we made our way north towards camp. I snapped this pic of Daniel cruising through the desert, only to get back in the 4runner and sit on my GMRS mic. Taking me a minute to figure out how to get it back to normal status.

Not to far from camp.

Dropping down into the wash, we stopped to do some rockhounding. Selenite, lots of it.

Back at a most wonderful camp.

Lee with a flat tire.

Some fancy snacks while the crew cooked dinner.

Cocktails were enjoyed.

Just a month or so ago, we were across the river checking out the mines of Hidden Splendor. This camp is always impressive.

Matt cooking up some fine grub for dinner.

Another feast brewing. After dinner. We settled into a late night around the campfire. The weather started to pick up during dinner. Later after crawling into bed, I’d wake soon after to some heavy rain.

The next morning, I woke to a blizzard. The rain turned into a wet heavy snow. Minimal visibility. About a foot had fallen through out the night.

We quickly packed up camp and started to make the trek out.

Route finding proved to be slow but Andy and Angelo were able to follow GPS tracks and finally get us to the downhill climb from camp.

The downhill climb proved a bit exciting for me. Being A few vehicles from the front, when I made the decent, the track was already iced up. Slid close to some bushes. A few friends came down to assist (sorry Daniel), and managed to get out with a couple traction boards.

We took it slow on this hill and Daniel gave some guidance for those that needed.

Tim at the top of the climb.

After making it out of camp, we all decided it was best to bail on the last of the Desert Scramble trip and get out. Impressive still to see the group all together.

Making our way out. Conditions kinda improving but still slow growing. The desert was beautiful.

At this point, we were close to a main artery and able to get back to the highway. Yet, the first few routes we tried left us with some impassible washes. One route, left me sliding into a small ditch filled with melting water and my rear end lifting up about a foot. All that snow from the morning was melting. I took this pic happy that we were on a more solid road to get out.

Matt enjoying a bubbly.

Angelo checking on last wash before we made our way north to I- 70.

Desert vistas.

Once we finally got close to the highway, we talked about camp. then headed out. Stopping at a road side turn off of course to take a load off. The views were fantastic and seeing all the water in the desert was awesome.

The group turned off finally to make towards camp. Empty on fuel, I grabbed what jerry cans needed to be fueled then took the slow drive down to Green River, thankfully with Andrew following behind. As I came into town I felt like the Seinfeld episode where Kramer pushed the cars gas tank to the limits. Definitely the lowest the 4runner has been! Topped of (bill wasn’t enjoyable) headed back into the swell for one last camp with the gang.

Back in the Swell on the north side of I-70. Nice to be dry and not muddy!

And back in time for another fine feast!

Took a evening stroll around camp after dinner.

Another fine sunset.

Campfire goodness.

Woke the next morning to a flat tire. Wondered Why I was leaning while sleeping the night before. Can only figure it was from the rut I slid into the day before. Aired it up and has since been holding air since….

Morning vistas.

Fresh snow on Wickiup.

Looking down Black Dragon Canyon.

San Rafael Swell and the La Sal Mountains.

Cruise Moab

Back in Moab and the Spanish Trails arena for Cruise Moab. A muddy 4runner!

Thursdays Trail Ride: Deadman’s Springs

Airing down for the day.

Mike and Betsy lead. A great chill and relaxing day with fun people.

As we made our way along the trail, the Henry Mountains cam into view.

A few minor obstacles to keep it fun.

Our lunch spot above the Green River.

Even after 15 dollars at the car wash, the 4runner is still dirty.

Heading back out from the overlook of the Green River.

Pre vendor night. My pal Jeremiah getting interviewed from some of his friends from Japan.

Taco Tuesday.

Vendor night!

Thanks to all who has bought a poster!!

I took Friday off and did the tourist thing. Spent to much money at the book store. Then meet up with friends for the dinner and raffle. I actually gave a speech…

And we head a group of winners. I actually won something!