06 Safari Lodging - days - Transport? New guy Q's!

[johndoe123]

I am considering a trip down to Moab for EJS 2006, but I can't seem to find any lodging. Does anyone have any recommendations on any reasonably priced lodging in town, preferably with parking for a 16" trailer? Please don't tell me the back of the van that will be pulling the Heep or "bring a tent" :(. How many people actually camp it?

Furthermore, do most people come for all 7 days, just a few, or what? Is there proper support facilities available for someone who comes alone (IE: Break down, will someone haul your Jeep to your trailer?) A mechanic in town to fix your junk with parts on hand if you're not mechnically inclined?

Would you pull the 99 TJ w/ 33's on a trailer or drive the Jeep if you were 8 hours away? (Hate to say it, but mid 80's E-350 w/ 450K Vs Jeep breaking on trail... hmmm, but the truck hasn't broken down yet on me! Yes I know, I need a new truck :(.

Finally, what trails would be best for a 99TJ, locked in the rear, 33s, if you wanted to avoid two things, yet still wanted scenary and a challenge?

A) No cliff hanging/pucker factor stuff. Rolling/Getting stuck is ok, but dropoff style cliffs... no thanks.
B) Breaking stuff.

[greenjeep]

At this point you'll have a hard time finding a place to stay, especially at the end of the week. Keep calling, cancelations do happen. As for reasonable, expect to pay $100+ per night Thurs-Sat, earlier in the work is usually cheaper. Lots of people camp, but again finding a spot can be difficult.

Not very many people stay all 9 days, but there is no reason you can't. It all depends on how thick your wallet is! You can find pretty much anything you need in town, we have several good parts stores and a couple of shops that specialize in 4x4s. You're pretty much on your own to get your Jeep back to your trailer (Your trail leader will make sure you at least get back to the paved road), unless you have friends, or can make some fast.

If I were you, I'd drive the TJ. How bad would it suck if the van broke down on the way here. Also that way you don't have to fight with everyone else to find a place to park your trailer.

As for trails I'd recommend any of these for a first timer:
3-D
Dome Plateau
Elephant Hill
Fins & Things
Flat Iron Mesa
Gold Bar Rim
Hell's Revenge
Kane Creek
Metal Masher
Poison Spider Mesa
Seven Mile Rim
Steel Bender
Strike Ravine
Wipe-out Hill

You can read a gret trail description of these in the Safari paper, or HERE.

I hope all that helps.

[johndoe123]

Thanks Greenjeep for all the useful information. Accomodations look like they'd be tricky at best at this point in time. Anyone want to rent a room? Finding something for one night can be done, but all three in a row is tough.

If I could get my friends newer pickup, would you trailer it or still drive it? I'm thinking in this case the trailer would be better, but it's hard to say.

I think I'm going to head for three days of wheeling and two days of driving at this point in time (one up, one back). I could go for more, but I suppose wheeling does eventually get boring too, right?

[BroncoMama]

We have a bonified trailer queen so I will always vote for trailering. What we did last year was back the trailer into a parking spot at the hotel, unhook, and then parked the truck next to the trailer and just drove the Bronco everywhere. It's really hard to find a spot for the whole rig, but if you come in during the day, just take your pick of spots at the hotel and then park the whole mess until it's time to go home. And on the hotel note, did you try the River Canyon Lodge? They had a few rooms left last week when I checked. So did the Ramada.

I would also highly recommend Fins N Things and Poison Spider for good trails. Two of my favorites and we've actually taken friends in a stock Pathfinder through Fins and they did fine.

[greenjeep]

If you can get a nice tow rig, than I'd go that way for sure.

[moabchic78]

i wouldnt say wheeling can get boring - but it can drain you w/o you realizing it sometimes. if you're new to moab style wheeling then i doubt you're gonna get bored lol. plus all the energy around town at night is fun if you're into that stuff. the vendor show is pretty cool if you like to look at new rig ideas and parts.

[broncoman]

boy is he in for an eye opener ..... i can't imagine what it would be like to be a newby at EJS ... we all need to meet you when you get there..

[broncoman]

where r u coming from???

[johndoe123]

Ohh, great

Sun Valley, Idaho

[moabchic78]

you'll have a blast i promise

[johndoe123]

Ok

Still waiting for my paper -- sent for it 1.5 weeks ago.

[johndoe123]

Still looking for lodging .

any advice?

[moabchic78]

keep checking the hotels - alot of people camp down kane creek too if you're set up for camping

[xjchic]

I would also suggest putting your name on cancellation lists at the hotels if they have any.

Oh, check this place, www.sunflowerhill.com

I think they still have some openings, but it's a B&B.

[moabchic78]

sunflower actually has openings?? wow .. . .