Little Moab 4-04
By Andrew Young

  We met at the Smiths in Saratoga and headed out at 9:00. Kent was in the lead, with Steven in the tail gun position. After a brief trip on the road we were to the turn off in 5-mile pass. We stopped to air down and remove sway bar disconnects.

  We headed down a very dusty railroad grade road until we hit the end of it and turned towards the hills. After a short distance we left the graded road and began to traverse a less used road heading south. In a short time we were heading up a canyon were a dry lake was our destination. The trail was narrow and provided some fabulous rocky mountain pin striping for those without.

  About half way up we came across some downed trees on the road. J.D. pulled up with his winch, and an axe soon cleared the road.

  As we rose in elevation we started coming across a little bit of spring run off. Shortly thereafter we came across a patch of snow several feet deep in our path. Kent created a path through and I followed. As soon as I made it through the snow Kent came on the CB and informed us there was more snow, and mud on a very steep hill. Other looked for another way around, but we had to turn back.

  We then headed back down the trail when we heard on the radio that a Jeep was broken. After everyone returned we found Steven under his Jeep trying to fix a broken bolt on his Track bar. A new bolt was put in and we were off. We then ventured two canyons over. We headed up until we came upon the Scranton mine. Kent lead some up the easy hill, while I led those who wanted a little challenge up a steeper hill were we met at a large area to eat lunch.

  While eating J.D. decided to venture farther up the narrow switchback road. He was unable to get to the top due to a large tree in the road.

  We headed back down the canyon with our bellies full. We then went up the middle canyon and headed through the hills. After several miles we hit a graded road. The speeds went up and the dust was flying again. We quickly checked out area we thought we might be able to play at, but time was slipping so we headed on. We finally arrived at Little Moab were some played on the rock and others headed for home. Several tried a few climbs on the rocks but quickly aired up and headed for home. It was a beautiful day to play in the hills and was a lot of fun.