Crystal Geyser Trail

4TRAILRATING Crystal Geyser Trail

Aaron Graves, Leader Big Saturday 4/16

This trail begins near Moab and fi nishes close to Green River which can be convenient for those departing in that direction from Safari. The trail locale is south of Green River Township and east of the Green River. The country is colorful and beautiful in a desolate way. The route passes near Dubinky Well and the “Rainbow Rocks” country on the way to Salt Wash, Little Grand Wash, and seldom used mining trails through stark slopes of the Morrison Formation. Most of the trail is quite easy, but a few gullies could trap vehicles with poor clearance. Approximate mileages: 112 (52 miles of this is Green River back to Moab), 40 off pavement.

Scenery: The always beautiful Entrada Sandstone layers are especially colorful in the Rainbow Rocks area. The Morrison slopes are fully as colorful but the softer material supports few sheer cliff s. Those of us who have never been on the moon suppose it might look like this-but with less color.

Road Surface: The sandy road near Rainbow Rocks yield to dry-weather-only clay and shale residues later in the trail. There are some rocky wash bottoms and numerous cross-cutting gullies.

Highlights: Short, steep climbs near Rainbow Rocks and Duma Point will test some stock vehicles. The old mining roads nearer Green River have accumulated some sizeable rocks that will cause everyone to watch wheel placement and fear for low hanging parts. Crystal Geyser is one of the region’s several man made bore holes that tap cold water and carbon dioxide to yield the occasional, but spectacular, geyser action (about twice a day).

Associate Leaders: Ken Fingerlos, Roy Grimm.

To be used:

Saturday 4/16

Unless your Jeep is a lot bigger than mine, you won’t be able to carry everything you might need, but it can’t hurt to try. Here are some thoughts on the most important items.

Bring lunch. We suggest that you include a good supply of beverages, and we urge you to make them “soft” drinks. Water is an excellent choice. � e dry climate requires that you drink more than you might expect, even on the cooler days.

Bring “spring” clothing for spring weather; the range of temperatures during the day may have you changing outerwear again and again. Past Safaris have experienced days bordering on hot and days with snow and cold wind — not likely, but not unusual in the Spring.

A Citizens Band (CB) radio is not required but is highly desirable for group travel. Communication is important for safety and keeping the group together; you can be warned of road damage and can be aware of stalled vehicles. Furthermore, your trail leader will be telling those “with ears” what is going on at the front of the line and may share pleasant tidbits of local geology and history. Bring all the emergency gear you can reasonably carry, including personal items like sun lotion. You know the rest...fi rst aid, tow strap, fi re-extinguisher, jack, spare tire, etc. Make that tow strap the kind with loop ends; any hooks should already be secured to the vehicle. And remember, your registration fee doesn’t include towing insurance, although we and other buddies often help when we can. � e most experienced drivers have learned which parts are likely to fail on their vehicles, and they are often willing to make loans to the less fortunate.

Fill your tank, few trails require extra fuel. � e longest trips, the Hole in the Rock and Hotel Rock, may require fuel stops along the way. Elephant Hill is 175 miles total, but only two others (Dome Plateau and Top of the World) come near to being 100 miles.

Do bring a suitable four-wheel-drive vehicle. � e term “jeep” in the event name should imply that we expect high-clearance, off -road vehicles with two-speed transfer cases. Neither motorcycles nor ATV’s are suitable because their pace of travel is incompatible with the trucks. It is impractical to include vehicles that are not legal for use on the paved roads.

If your truck is showroom new, study the trail descriptions or talk to our experts. Some trails have many opportunities to scratch the paint and sheet metal, and you should be forewarned. Otherwise, stock vehicles should be capable of most 3 rated trails, but some of the newer, larger SUV’s may want to choose a notch easier on the rating scale. Check on the trail specifi cs if you have long wheelbase, long overhangs, or fancy paint. Be wary if you have installed “rock-magnets” like driving lights or running boards as they might not make it to the end of the trail.