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Show Safari Special . . . Moab Rim Trail continues to be roughest on Safari agenda Veteran Safari leader Brig Larsen, Moab sporting sport-ing goods merchant, leads the toughest run in the Jeep Safari package the Moab Rim Trail. For the courageous jeeper, it offers of-fers breathtaking excitement excite-ment as drivers encounter challenging steep slopes of a nearly verticle wall hence, it is commonly known; as "cliffhanger" trail. Brig has led the trail ever since it was included in the package, and does an excellent job. It begins a mile down-river from the Colorado River portal. Less than a hundred yards from the BLM sign directing direct-ing where to leave Kane Creek road is the trail which starts abruptly up-ward up-ward over the steeply sloping strata. There's no :; working into it gradually, you start right in with the '. tough stuff. :: This is the only access ; into a section of Behind-;' Behind-;' the-Rocks country that lies : just beyond the high rim to the west of Moab : Valley. - One of the richest rewards for jeepers on this ; trail is the view found at ; the top of the rim of Moab . Valley with the panorama of red rock and mountains lying beyond. From here the trail is fairly easy for a short distance until it again presents a variety of challenges as it works through the wild, rugged terrain. Descending now to follow fol-low the general slope of the rocky land, the run crosses a dry stream course and begins the ascension through brush encrusted sand dunes and steep slickrock domes leading to an ancient Indian fort. Petroglyphs are also visible in a cave near an alternate route which leads from another rim viewpoint near the end of the trail. This branch trail plunges down a bluff of soft dune sand following a dry stream bed to rejoin the main trail. The most challenging part of the Moab Rim run is the trip back down only limited visibility of the trail is possible, making the descent even more thrilling than the ascent. Skillful brake work will be necessary despite low gear travel, as drivers follow Brig down the slope. However, traction is good since the trail here is almost solid rock. Experienced four-wheelers should have no trouble with the trail, particularly if they are driving dependable rigs with short wheelbase. |