Moabs Upper-Helldorado Trail -Junior
CONTINUED. -Some rocks were as big as the rigs on them. Take a look at our very own Eric Bewley. Those are 35×15.5 TSL/SX Swampers over Front and Rear Dana 44 axles. It was here that Eric gave us a view of the belly of his rig as though he were asking for us to scratch it. Believe it or not this was the preferred line to clear this obstacle. Just as easy as the tire went up, it too eased right back down landing atop the larger rock called break-over rock. Not sure why its called that. Could it be that just as you get over it, it breaks you like it did Erics front driveline? Who knows. Its difficult to see in this photo, but Brent Bradshaw from Trail Tough is under Erics rig fixing the disconnected drive line mean while Eric takes in the nice weather, and applies firm pressure to the brakes. Hey kids, we dont recommend you trying this at home. These are trained professionals and they practice this all the time. Sort-of.
Nice place to stop and visit.
lining up the approach.
up, up and..
photo by Linda Bradshaw.
Seperated/Broken
Risk of rollover is very low in Upper Helldorado, but if one were to do so recovery would not be easy. Access to the side of a rig is nearly impossible considering the tight canyon walls and the lack of good solid trees to snatch block from.
Blake’s beautiful orange Samurai
Up until the waterfall, or the out, the obstacles more or less easy. Pictured here is Blake Savage out of Minnesota. Well have to get Blake some black ZukiWorld sticker rather than white. They hardly show up in this photo. After a fight with this rock wall, Tim Lund nearly removes the entire right quarter panel. Cant believe that ZukiWorld sticker survived like it did. Tim has custom fabricated a coil suspension that worked very well for him. He too has opted for the Dana axle in the front and a High Pinion Ford 9 inch in the rear.
takes a licking…
keeps on ticking.
yep, steep.
The real show is getting out of the Upper Helldorado. During the wetter months this near vertical waterfall may spill gallons upon gallons of water over its 15-foot drop. But not during the week of Safari. Its as dry as can be, and the only thing going over its edge is winch line from the rigs that had just completed the previous obstacles. Seen here is Kenny, friend of Blakes, standing vertical on Blakes tire as they prepare to winch the rig up and over the falls.
Tim Lund makes his way over the falls, as did Eric. Note the snatch block needed by Eric. His 5000lb winch was stalling so the extra pulling power was needed. The crowed was further back then it appears in this photo.
On the snatch block.
Driveline re-seperated for a 2wd acsent.
We werent the only ones wanting up the falls though. Between winching rigs some trial-bike riders showed us how its done without winch cable. Hey boys, how comfortable can you be without a seat?
All in all it was a great run up the canyon they call Helldorado. Some broke, some didnt. But everyone had a great time no matter how their rig did. So if youre ever in Moab and want to test your rig and your driving ability to the near max, visit both upper and lower Helldorado.
