The Pritchett Canyon trail took a toll on Jed's tilt steering column on Saturday, it was broke in the housing, so he opted to head back to Denver early.  So, those along for the trail included Jim McClelland (TJ), Marc & Kristen Gilbertson (CJ), Scott Maxwell & his son Peter-with their dog Jessie (TJ), and myself Bill Hallinan and my jeepin sidekick Molly (CJ7).  We left camp early to met Scott who was staying in town at 7:30am at the Texaco north of Moab.  We headed up the dusty trail along the cliff above Hwy 191 and on past the Gooney Bird to the trailhead of Gold Bar Rim Trail to lock in.

   We soon encountered some obstacles we were used to seeing at the end of a long day, and coming from the other direction.  Climbing up past many small ledges and rocky passages, we reached the top of Gold Bar Canyon.

   With only 4 Jeeps, we were able to make good time if we wanted spotting of photo ops.  Some obstacles would be better done the other way, but many going heading south were much more fun climbing then going down.

   Soon, we arrived at the start of Golden Spike Trail.  The sign says you need to have approx. 8 hours to complete the trail, well, that depends on how well your day is going, and the amount of rigs.  More obstacles like the 'Golden Stairs', which are a series of rock ledges in which CJ7's hit both tires at the same time, were passed heading towards the 'Golden Crack'.

   We finally reached the infamous "Golden Crack". Or as Scott Maxwell's son Pete would say, "Moab's Buttcrack".  One by one, the Hobos crossed the Crack with some articulation and a few bumper scrapes (that's what they are for right?).  We took a look and one by one, each of us crossed the crack.  A bit different from the crossings in the past.

   Past the crack we climbed ledge after ledge to reach the rim line and views of the Arches National Park entrance, and the valley below.  At this point in the trip we were only about 3 hours in, but still not the place to "have problems".  The sun was out by now, and water was a good thing to drink, especially for the dogs!  After a nice break, our next objective was the nice cool shady spot in the canyon for lunch.

    Views of the rim included the town of Moab to the SE, Arches National Park to the East, and the north end of Gold Bar Rim and Sevenmile Rims to the North.  Great views and shade trees too!!

    Now we were heading down the many ledges on the white slickrock.  This time though we we climbing ones that even looked tough to come down off of.  With the right lines, one by one we traversed all of them.  Way to many to count!  Tall, to small, and each one deserved your attention, or it was 'smash'.  A 'Narrow Ravine' and some tight creek bed Jeepin', and a steep 1-2' ledge just above the creek we all negotiated with different lines.  Then just ahead, was a small deep tub that was fairly dry this year.  Soon, we reached the canyon wall shady spot around 11am for an early lunch.  

   After a NICE cool break in the shade, we headed right up the slick rock as we reached the 'Skyline Drive', and drove up it on the downward drive.  This is a long steep climb, to some great 360-degree views of where we were and where we were going.  We soon came across the "Launch Pad", which is a steep ramp that tests most carbs (of those who still have them!).

   Trekking southeast, we came off the mesa to a sandy area. We headed south along the Golden Spike Trail following the white spikes on the trail, and the faint black tire tracks, the trail was pretty easy to stay on.  We pressed on to a series of FUN obstacles awaited us, as one is called "The Wedgy".  One by one we passed, with driver side tires high on the wall of the v-shaped wedge.

   With everyone walking through, we were soon up on Poison Spider Mesa. Through the "Whoop-ti-dos" (a series of high bank sandy turns), the flat easy mesa turns up the A/C as airflow is increased. We stopped at the grave marker where the Mesa was named. The story has it, that a poison spider bit a little girl while they were traveling, died from it and was buried there.  Then it was back on the tan-colored slickrock of the Poison Spider Trail, and more obstacles. 

   We climbed down some obstacles that are best run up, and down "The Waterfall".  It's actually a set of ledges before it on a tight curve that are challenging. Then the waterfall is a 6-foot sloping wall to climb. Everyone climbed down just fine.  On thru a sandy wash, and on to the switchbacks which are the beginnings of the Poison Spider Trail.

    Yea-----Finally, back to civilization, and in record time!  I had to look twice at my watch, but it showed 1:45pm!  So we did the whole in in 6 hours!  We all had planned on a minimum 9 to 11 hour day.  So now what do we do??  Well, some ran to the auto parts store and we all met up at Potato Salad Hill.  It was only 3pm, and nobody was challenging the hill.  There were a lot of people enjoying the cool creek below.  Just up a mile, some guy jumped in head 1st, and hit his head hard.  Broke his neck and bones, and had to be helicopter out to Moab, then Grand Junction.  Around 5pm, we headed into town for some ice cream and to air up.  Soon, time to head home, another fun Memorial Moab!! 

   The 16-mile Poison to Gold Bar Loop is a combination of the previous days trails in Moab. With numerous rock ledges, obstacles, and of course slickrock it's a day of endurance for both driver and Jeep.  At last year's Memorial Moab, we did the Poison Spider to Gold Bar Rim trails on the last day with 4 Jeeps and it took us with no breakdowns about 9+ hours. This year with 4 Jeeps, we were able to keep moving and take a few more breaks from the heat and do it in 6+ hours!  The nice stat is---------NO breakdowns! 

   We saw some separate people running alone on this trail again this year, not a good idea. DO NOT RUN ALONE on this long trail!  Too many things can happen, and you are to far in to hike out.  Don't rely on other people to bail you out.  Also, don't rely on your cell phone either, as we sometimes couldn't get out there.  If you breakdown here, you are a few hours by jeep going out either way with many numerous obstacles to still limp over.  Prepare for the worst and bring spare parts, water, fluids, sleeping bag, food, etc…

   Once back at camp, no night runs were planned.  We all sat back and relished the day, while trying to remember the many obstacles and challenges throughout the day!  Another great trail with great friends! Moab-it's all that and MORE--aaaaahhh, Moab!!

 "The end of the trail, and the end to a 'Memorable' Memorial weekend in Moab with great friends and fun trails!!! " 

"Got Moab???"

Storyline, web design, and captions by:

 Bill Hallinan  HoboJeepers

Here are some other Poison to Gold Bar Rim Loop Trip reports:

HoboJeepers 2002 Poison Spider/Golden Spike/ Gold Bar Rim Trip

HoboJeepers 2001 Poison Spider/Golden Spike/ Gold Bar Rim Trip

HoboJeepers 2000 Poison Spider/Golden Spike/ Gold Bar Rim Trip

HoboJeepers 1999 Poison Spider/Golden Spike/ Gold Bar Rim Trip

Poison Spider to Gold Bar Rim by Bighorn 4x4 02':

http://www.bighorn4x4.com/trails/moab/1002/day_3/moab_1002_03.shtml

Moab Off-Road.Com EJS 98’ Poison Spider Trail:

http://www.moab-offroad.com/EJS98/98Trails/PoisonSpider/  

Rockcrawler.Com’s Poison Spider/Gold Bar Rim Trail Reports: http://www.rockcrawler.com/trailreports/moab98/wednesday/wednesday.htm  

Andy Voight’s Golden Spike Trail Report:

http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/travels/trails/usa/utah/1998/spike.html  

Golden Spike Trail by 4x4.Com:

http://www.4x4now.com/gs.htm

Poison Spider Mesa Trail by Flatlander:

http://www.4x4now.com/mtpsm.htm

Gold Bar Rim by Flatlander:

http://www.4x4now.com/gbr.htm

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