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Story by TXJEEPER
Photos by TXJEEPER


33rd Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari
Golden Spike

Our second day out, we were invited out on a private run with the gang from Petersen's Publishing. A good part of the editorial staff was there, as well as many of their biggest advertisers. The group numbered just over 30 vehicles. We gathered together and headed up Gold Bar Rim. The wind was blowing like crazy on the sandy trails leading up to Golden Spike.

The plan was to go up to Golden Spike the back way, get to Double Whammy for lunch, and turn back around before the Red Rock official run got to to the Golden Crack. Once we returned to town, we would all gather at a private ranch, south of town, for a barbeque dinner.


Golden Spike
Golden Spike is a very scenic run through a slickrock canyon. Typically, in a good-sized group, the entire trail takes 6-10 hours (if nobody breaks anything).

Golden Spike
Steps like this are not uncommon on Golden Spike. You definitely need good underside armour, especially on your gas tank. With anything under 35's, you will bang your rear end a bunch.

Golden Spike
More stairs go throughout the trail. Never a dull moment.

Golden Spike
What is it about running Golden Spike on Wednesdays for us? I swear, the area around the Golden Wall is like the Bermuda Triangle to the Mad Cow. Last year we lost an axle there. This year, we broke a tie-rod end in half coming out of the Body Snatcher.

Golden Spike
After coming over Gold Bar Rim, the terrain quickly turns from sand to slickrock. From there on, the trail is rated 4+.

Golden Spike
One popular stop on Golden Spike is Double Whammy. There are two steps that are just about perfectly spaced to hang up a Jeep or Samurai. We stopped for a quite a while to watch the fun there.

Golden Spike
The Golden Wall is about as vertical as you can go without rolling over. In fact, on our way back up the wall, we just about rolled end-over-end. Thanks to the guys from James Duff Enterprises for the rodeo ride assistance in getting me back over the top!

Golden Spike
Luckily, I had a spare tie-rod end. Many thanks to Randy from Randy's Ring and Pinion for his help in making the TJ steerable again!

Great Shots of Double Whammy!






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