Possible Moab trail closings.

rocky

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Picked this up on another board. Haven't made it to Moab, but I want to go. I'm simply copying and pasting the message. Those who have been to Moab probably know the trails in danger of being cut off.

The draft EA for the Labyrinth Rims / Gemini Bridges travel plan in Moab has just been published, kicking off a 30-day comment period that ends October 7.

Find more info here: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-announces-public-meeting-and-comment-period-labyrinth-rimsgemini-bridges-draft

This is probably the most important travel management plan of the decade and will decide the fate of most of Moab's most famous Jeep trails.

It is crucial that you comment opposing alternatives B and C and supporting alternatives D or A, and ask the BLM to keep all of the routes mentioned below open instead of closing them. Please review the entire press release above for additional information.

COMMENTS ARE ONLY ACCEPTED UNTIL OCTOBER 7, 2022.

Written comments may be mailed, emailed, or submitted through ePlanning. Please reference “Labyrinth Rims Gemini Bridges Travel Management” when submitting comments via ePlanning and mail.

Mail: BLM Moab Field Office, Attn: Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Travel Management,
82 East Dogwood Moab, UT 84532
ePlanning: https://go.usa.gov/xs57Y
kstevens@blm.gov
jstephenson@blm.gov

As expected, the "natural resources" alternative B was modified to close even more trails as requested by Grand County, and would now close all of the Hey Joe Canyon, Hell Roaring Canyon, Golden Spike, Gold Bar Rim, Rusty Nail, Day Canyon Point, Dead Man Point, Bull Canyon, Ten Mile Canyon, and 3D / Mashed Potatoes Jeep trails, plus the Dead Cow and Tubes motorcycle trails, plus parts of Where Eagles Dare, Buttes and Towers, Wipe Out Hill, and 7 Mile Rim.

If this extreme alternative was chosen (unlikely but possible) it would utterly eviscerate the Easter Jeep Safari trail network and close at least portions of most of the famous named trails featured in guidebooks and motorized events.

The so-called "balanced" or "multiple-use" alternative C (the one the BLM almost certainly intends to adopt) appears unchanged since the preliminary alternatives release a year ago, and would close 2/3 of Ten Mile Canyon, half of Hell Roaring Canyon, all of Mineral Canyon, one of the overlooks on Deadman Point, part of the Buttes and Towers safari trail, the 7-Up trail, and many other lesser known routes.

Alternative D is the "pro-motorized" and has the least amount of closures, but still closes part of the Buttes and Towers safari trail. It could be acceptable to motorized users if they eliminated that closure. Alternative A, the no-action alternative, is of course the best but the BLM never picks that one and always picks one of the action alternatives. So D is the only real option for motorized users to support.
 
jymmiejamz

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
I’m sure the area gets totally trashed every year with big events. With the rise in popularity in “overlanding” Im sure the problem has only gotten worse. I hate to see trails close, but I think in general I support it.
 
Z.G

Z.G

Well-known member
Every time I see a "jeeper" I support trail closures. That being said, I'd prefer they find a better way to combat the issue rather than close the trails. If that means doubling/tripling the cost of using the trails to pay for more rangers/cleanup.
 
Z.G

Z.G

Well-known member
I think it comes down to Moab being a beautiful place, opposed to many inner cities which are not.
 
LazyRabbit

LazyRabbit

Well-known member
I've been there multiple times over the past ten years. ALWAYS had to clean up campsites i came across or stayed at. I stay a decent way outside of MOAB to avoid the worst of it. Its the people and sub-cultures.
Parents and family don't pass down the idea of ownership, cleaning up after yourself, and leaving things better than when you first arrived.

There are already education and signs.... People are so self centered on their consumerism, seeking the next "high", and so disconnected from nature, that they have not time to clean up
 
1of40

1of40

Well-known member
elbee said:
I've been there multiple times over the past ten years. ALWAYS had to clean up campsites i came across or stayed at. I stay a decent way outside of MOAB to avoid the worst of it. Its the people and sub-cultures.
Parents and family don't pass down the idea of ownership, cleaning up after yourself, and leaving things better than when you first arrived.

There are already education and signs.... People are so self centered on their consumerism, seeking the next "high", and so disconnected from nature, that they have not time to clean up
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Agree. We're probably at the tip of selfie/fb/Insta era iceberg in terms of societal change we'll be dealing with from here on.
 
LazyRabbit

LazyRabbit

Well-known member
1of40 said:
Agree. We're probably at the tip of selfie/fb/Insta era iceberg in terms of societal change we'll be dealing with from here on.
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also more people are going outside and enjoying national parks because of flexible work times along with more affluence (jobs, house prices and fuel costs) and the outdoor adventure wave that started in 2011/2012
 
Z.G

Z.G

Well-known member
jymmiejamz said:
To me, Moab is the off roading equivalent of going to Times Square.

Does guy Fieri have a restaurant there?
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I'd say it's more like going to the premier destination of your preferred hobby. That could be Wimbleton, Wembley, St. Andrews, etc. Moab is the most sought after offroad playground in the country for off road enthusiasts. Yes it's played out, but it's a mistake to never go. It's a great experience for people, especially us on the east coast that have nothing like it.

And I wish guy fieri had a restaurant there because the food is garbage.
 
jymmiejamz

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
Z.G said:
I'd say it's more like going to the premier destination of your preferred hobby. That could be Wimbleton, Wembley, St. Andrews, etc. Moab is the most sought after offroad playground in the country for off road enthusiasts. Yes it's played out, but it's a mistake to never go. It's a great experience for people, especially us on the east coast that have nothing like it.

And I wish guy fieri had a restaurant there because the food is garbage.
Click to expand...
Doesn’t Guy Fieri exclusively eat/serve garbage?
 
Z.G

Z.G

Well-known member
jymmiejamz said:
I’ve always dreamed of going to his restaurant in Times Square dressed as him.
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Screen Shot 2022-09-13 at 10.22.25 PM.png
 
blueboy

blueboy

Well-known member
Z.G said:
It's a great experience for people, especially us on the east coast that have nothing like it.
Click to expand...
Yep. Have been twice. Hired Bill Burke for 5 days the second visit. As we had the 109 at the time he let me use his blue Rangie. My friend had his D90 so Bill took us to some really great places. The one thrill for me was making it to top of Upchuck Hill. Bill yelled “you made it up in a 6,000# with skinny tires Range Rover!”
 
meatblanket

meatblanket

Well-known member
I can't support any of those proposed closures. Most of the routes included in the proposed trail closures are mineral exploration roads that have been there for nearly 70 years. Over use could be mitigated by implementing a permit system, particularly in the heavy use seasons. This has been done successfully by the NPS in Canyonlands, not sure why the BLM couldn't do something similar. For those wanting fewer crowds, try going in August or January.

And go to Pasta Jay's, I can't imagine anyone complaining about that place.
 
erover82

erover82

Well-known member
Closing trails redirects crowds to remaining trails which then get even more trashed. It's unfortunate that the ratio of humans to natural places is too high, but something has to be done to keep the hordes of dirtbags out.
 
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