I hope Jeff(Paddler) doesn't mind. I borrowed his trail report he post elsewhere to share with you guys.

For this years ZUÆBor Day Festivities the ZUÆtah Wheelers along with a few Utah4x4club Members hit the outskirts of the once quiet town, now busseling with oil workers, of Vernal Utah. Attending this year were;

Troy (aka Tonka) in his abomination of what once was a 94 Rodeo
Brooke/Holly (aka Trooperian) in their 91 Trooper
Steve/Leslie (aka Jonesy) in their 97 Rodeo
Logan in his 04 TJ, One of three new ZUÆtah members and part of the trio from Jack-It
Glen (aka The Burbinator) in his 78 Suburban
Mary/Ron (aka Rockaholic) in their 91 YJ,
Jeff in his 05 Rubi/Unl.

Day one we decided to hit the hard stuff right off the bat and headed south of Naples to The Dog Bone. This is the site for two of the U.R.O.C. Championships. It didnÆt take long before Glen got the burb high centered and for Logan to suffer the first carnage (pretzel nerf bars). We played there for awhile, ate lunch, then headed north of Vernal to a moderate trail known as Red Mountain Trail, oddly enough it would be here that we would suffer the most carnage ever on one trail run.

Steve taking on one of the more challenging obstacles in his Rodeo



Mary in the crack


Troy and the infamous TONKA!


Logan getting flexy



The Red Mountain Trail is a five mile (one way) moderate trail of a 3.5 rating with one or two 4.0 optional obstacles. The consensus of those that participated was that this is a must do trail. WeÆve been wheeling for many years and IÆve never seen more carnage on one trail, let alone a moderate trail such as this, in all that time. The first to get hit was Glen in his Burb, first he blew out a hub, then while attempting the bypass, by some crazy fluke, he blew out his large rear side window.

Brooke was second with a faulty air compressor on his ARB.
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/DSC00455.sized.jpg[/img]
At this point Glen couldnÆt continue and Brooke along with Steve opted to assist Glen back to Vernal. Once they departed we chugged along this 3.5 rated trail with a couple 4.0 obstacles. Next up was the beefy rig of TroyÆs.

This is what we refer to as "walking Troy's Dog". His rig has twin transfer cases and it's geared so low that it can do any 3.5 rated obstacle and some 4.0's without the driver in it. The vehicle is actually moving in this photo.
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_019.sized.jpg[/img]
He was headed up a moderate obstacle when we heard the ever familiar snap/crackel/pop of either his locker itself, a shaft, or perhaps the yoke. He parked his rig and hopped in the passenger seat of my rig. The last 2/5ths of the trail turned pretty much into a consistent 3.5 making it slow going but the three Heaps eventually made it to the top and was rewarded with spectacular views.
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_026.sized.jpg[/img]
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_033.sized.jpg[/img]
We took it all in for a short time then headed back down with the sun falling quickly.
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_036.sized.jpg[/img]
Once back at the trailhead we drove the 6 miles into town. While approaching the last traffic light before main street we heard a loud bang. It turned out to be MaryÆs front drive line. More than likely the ôlockrightö didnÆt unlock when we got off trail and when it finally let lose it more than likely blew the hub, shaft or both.

Day two, being that we had already hit a hard and moderate trail, along with the fact we had all the carnage going on we opted this day for a more scenic route so it was off to Dinosaur Colorado and the Echo Park Trail. This trail has gorgeous views all along itÆs path
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_045.sized.jpg[/img]
future four wheeler
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_052.sized.jpg[/img]
Rock Art along the trail
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_055.sized.jpg[/img]
as well as a really cool cave known as the whispering cave.
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_058.sized.jpg[/img]
We spent the day taking in the views both on top the mesa as well as at the bottom where the Yampa and Green Rivers merge.
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_066.sized.jpg[/img]
The Chew Ranch.....maybe Chu Ranch along the way
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_078.sized.jpg[/img]
[img]http://zutah.com/albums/album28/Picture_081.sized.jpg[/img]
All in all this was one of the best Zubor Days we have ever had. Good Scenery, good challenges, and exceptional company that we keep. It was nice to welcome the newest members into the group.

Hooah!!! The trip was a blast, well then again Jonesy and I were the only ones that didn't suffer carnage, but even those folks had a blast as well. Unforetunately you can already see the urban sprawl taking away many of the trails in that area to include sections of this RMT. Get involved people!! Moab is next on this list.

Awesome trip guys..... The pics are great. I love the 1/2 doors on the rodeo and the awsome Ifs shots.

- jason

Awwwwwww man..... This is tough to see as a relocated Zutah'er slaving away in Missouri. Sounds like some really fun trails, maybe Ill be able to run them in 8 years when I'm done.... but then again, they may not be there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the report! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Yep, you're missing some good wheeling this year Dude. Hope med school is going well for ya.