Magical MOAB Meetup 2023

[lost_in_the_endless_aisle]

Weather
Late September/early October is actually often the very best time in RMNP, as long as there isn't an early snowstorm (~15% chance, and 2017 is the only year in recent history with significant snow that early). Expect possibly a dusting of snow above treeline and/or morning frost. By October, there are no more thunderstorms, which are an almost-daily problem during much of the summer. In spite of the lack of storms, it's best to start early anyway if you want to avoid crowds (no later than sunrise). Just before sunrise is also the best time to enjoy Trail Ridge Road, since it's the only way to avoid the tourons up there.

Park Entry
Another advantage to going early is you can get into the park free. I'm not sure what time they start charging fees (which is whenever the entry stations are first manned in the morning), but if you're in before 7AM, you should be good. Note that if you want to enter the park later in the day, you will have to navigate the timed entry restrictions/permitting process.

Hikes
Peaks
1) If you want to hit some of the higher peaks without a ~16 mi r/t slog, CCY is excellent (if Fall River Road is open)
2) Another option is Ida (if Trail Ridge is still open)
3) For a slightly easier option, Twin Sisters is a very nice trail with excellent views from the summit; however, it's below treeline most of the way, so the views are sporadic most of the way

Lakes
1) Chasm is a standout and by October the summer conditions on Longs should mean the trailhead parking area is not a zoo
2) Bluebird Lake out of the Wild Basin area is relatively secluded and as nice as the very heavily trafficked Sky Pond (Bear Lake area)
3) my favorite lakes are the Lion Lakes + Snowbank (also out of Wild Basin), and you might not see anyone out there most of the day

Other
1) Glacier Gorge/Bear Lake area is nice but overrated and very crowded unless you start in the dark w/ headlights to beat the crowds, which you would have to do (before 5AM) if you wanted to go there without a timed entry permit
2) For wildlife viewing, pre-sunrise is typically the best time (notice the running theme that you want to get started early for the best experience)
3) The western half of the park isn't as crowded and has some excellent hikes, but many of the better options are longer approaches (can suggest stuff on that side if interested; as you can probably tell, I've done a lot of miles in the front range)

Thanks for the detailed answer, I now have lots of pointers for my research! I may follow up with questions after I do some more reading.

Regards,
V

Sure, feel free to PM me. This is the one thing I really geek out about. I'm actually headed to Estes Park Wednesday for 4 days :)

[oneday]

Not enough vacation time this year 😥

[deborah]

Sorry, I'm going to be on a cruise that was deferred twice because of covid.

[happy]

I’m honoured to be on the bat-signal list, but I’m afraid my travel budget won’t cover another international trip this year 🫤

[monarda]

Unlikely for us. We're going east this year.
We alternate, driving east one year, west the next.

See you in 2024?!

And we need to be back home in late October to dogsit for our (recently retired) friend who is going to Antarctica!
She just returned from the Galapagos yesterday!

[Exflyboy]

Hmm.. let me talk to HRH (AkA: The Social Director) and see if I can come..:)

Yes I am allowed to come!.. Then I saw what they are charging for a campsite!

I see there are number of free dispersed campsites around Moab on BLM land.. Any reason I can't use one of those and come visit you all??

[Le Poisson]

Hmm.. let me talk to HRH (AkA: The Social Director) and see if I can come..:)

Yes I am allowed to come!.. Then I saw what they are charging for a campsite!

I see there are number of free dispersed campsites around Moab on BLM land.. Any reason I can't use one of those and come visit you all??

No reason at all. Folks are spread out all over town.

[Exflyboy]

Hmm.. let me talk to HRH (AkA: The Social Director) and see if I can come..:)

Yes I am allowed to come!.. Then I saw what they are charging for a campsite!

I see there are number of free dispersed campsites around Moab on BLM land.. Any reason I can't use one of those and come visit you all??

No reason at all. Folks are spread out all over town.

Great!.. I'll be on my own so creature comfort can be sacrificed on the alter of cheap..:)

[ixtap]

While I would love to meet you lovelies, we will not be able to make it out to Moab this year. I need to plan and budget for DH's 40th a few months later.

[Exflyboy]

While I would love to meet you lovelies, we will not be able to make it out to Moab this year. I need to plan and budget for DH's 40th a few months later.

You could tell him this IS his 40th celebration..:)

[ixtap]

While I would love to meet you lovelies, we will not be able to make it out to Moab this year. I need to plan and budget for DH's 40th a few months later.

You could tell him this IS his 40th celebration..:)

If it were just a random something nice, I would. But he has specific requests.

[Exflyboy]

@spartana Ahh, yes (pretending to know what a bigillionaire is) but I am also an engineer so this is an opportunity for optimisation.

Nothing gets the creative juices flowing in the engineering mind more than being able to optimise something. In this case its "get the maximum value for the least amount of cash".

If cost is "zero" then value divided by cost is infinite.. Which makes me happy.... But, even I draw the line at sleeping under a park bench so I will drive our ridiculous SUV to the event and sleep in it.

This is why IMHO in Dave Ramsey's study of millionaires, the number one profession represented in self made millionaires is "engineer". They have simply figured that Max Optimisation = Max money/working the fewest years possible.

[Exflyboy]

^^^Well I'm a self made multi-hundredthousandaire ;-). I'd likely be staying in a tent in one of the regular campsites myself - or if I have a rental  (currently carless) can sleep in that. I think I'd still like the campground amenities so I guess, like the forums,  I'm getting soft too.

I hope you can come as it would be nice to meet you IRL..:)

[elledub]

@NinetyFour thx for keeping me on the list. I still have Oct 6-17 open on my calendar but will not know for sure until closer to go-time if I can come. I'll figure out my accommodations last-minute. I can camp, sleep in my car, take over an open spot or share. I'm trusting the universe to make it flow. I'd love to join an after-party at Canyonlands too. Hiking to Druid Arch is on my list and backpacking there would be sweet too! All the other pedal, paddle, campfire activities and meeting MMMers IRL sound like a great time. 

[Dicey]

But, even I draw the line at sleeping under a park bench so I will drive our ridiculous SUV to the event and sleep in it.

Hmmm, I think we might be ahead of you in the "ridiculous" vehicle cavalcade.

Also, @Le Poisson's Mister Jones is planning on making his Moab debut.

[ysette9]

As much as it sounds delightful to meet up with mustachians…..

I have been to Moab (we pronounce it “mobe” as an inside joke between my husband and I) once. We did a long-ish hike, and despite hat and sunglasses and water and sunblock I got the most excruciating migraine from the heat and glaring sun. I had to give the driving over to him for the rest of the day as I laid back in the car and tried gamely not to barf. That really colored my impression of the whole place. Exposed dessert landscapes and I just don’t mix, it seems.

Now if there is a meetup in a nice forest somewhere, do let me know .

[Exflyboy]

As much as it sounds delightful to meet up with mustachians…..

I have been to Moab (we pronounce it “mobe” as an inside joke between my husband and I) once. We did a long-ish hike, and despite hat and sunglasses and water and sunblock I got the most excruciating migraine from the heat and glaring sun. I had to give the driving over to him for the rest of the day as I laid back in the car and tried gamely not to barf. That really colored my impression of the whole place. Exposed dessert landscapes and I just don’t mix, it seems.

Now if there is a meetup in a nice forest somewhere, do let me know .

As Western PNWer I support this message.. I love trees..:)

[Le Poisson]

As much as it sounds delightful to meet up with mustachians…..

I have been to Moab (we pronounce it “mobe” as an inside joke between my husband and I) once. We did a long-ish hike, and despite hat and sunglasses and water and sunblock I got the most excruciating migraine from the heat and glaring sun. I had to give the driving over to him for the rest of the day as I laid back in the car and tried gamely not to barf. That really colored my impression of the whole place. Exposed dessert landscapes and I just don’t mix, it seems.

Now if there is a meetup in a nice forest somewhere, do let me know .

Camp Mustache Toronto (FIREscape) is about a month before Moab. :)

[Le Poisson]

But, even I draw the line at sleeping under a park bench so I will drive our ridiculous SUV to the event and sleep in it.

Hmmm, I think we might be ahead of you in the "ridiculous" vehicle cavalcade.

Also, @Le Poisson's Mister Jones is planning on making his Moab debut.

Mr. Jones takes umbrage at this comment. He is not ridiculous at all. (OK, he is, but also, meh, whatever.)

We're planning on pulling the pop-up trailer out there and spending about a week before the main meetup crown land camping.

[Purple_Crayon]

I'll be there. Already approved the PTO from Megacorp.

[shadowmoss]

As a reminder to the park bench sleepers, @meadow lark and stingray are renting a group cabin with several bedrooms at the close by hostel.  There are showers and kitchen facilities on-site. 

[Embok]

DH and I are in, at least for the first half of the Moab trip.  Booked a hotel because we are creaky in the morning, and will have to miss the last half of the week due to a lender conference immusattend.  Not at my computer, so will post our dates a bit later.

[NinetyFour]

As much as it sounds delightful to meet up with mustachians…..

I have been to Moab (we pronounce it “mobe” as an inside joke between my husband and I) once. We did a long-ish hike, and despite hat and sunglasses and water and sunblock I got the most excruciating migraine from the heat and glaring sun. I had to give the driving over to him for the rest of the day as I laid back in the car and tried gamely not to barf. That really colored my impression of the whole place. Exposed dessert landscapes and I just don’t mix, it seems.

Now if there is a meetup in a nice forest somewhere, do let me know .

As Western PNWer I support this message.. I love trees..:)

A SoCal beach bum who hates the sun (it burnssss usss preciousss) and the desert in general but Moab is something special. Still I'd prefer going there in the winter Or early spring.

How true!!  Yes, it's sometimes hot and often very dry in Moab and the Jeeps sometimes overtake the whole area, but it's still a really special place, I think.  And as @Le Poisson will hopefully find, there are lots of wonderful spots within ~70 miles where one can escape the Jeeps and all the peeps.

I'll be there. Already approved the PTO from Megacorp.

Awesome!!  I'm glad you got the PTO approval!

DH and I are in, at least for the first half of the Moab trip.  Booked a hotel because we are creaky in the morning, and will have to miss the last half of the week due to a lender conference immusattend.  Not at my computer, so will post our dates a bit later.

This is great news!  :)  Sorry, though, that you won't be able to stay as long as usual.  :-/

[NinetyFour]

Wow--congrats on the Big Bear cabin!!  Sounds like I'll need to stop and see you the next time I venture out to Yosemite or Joshua Tree!  ;-)

And it's great news that you can probably join the Moab ensemble in October!  We will roll out the red carpet for you!

Note to self:  ask @Dicey to keep an eye out for a red carpet remnant in her thrift store....

[Exflyboy]

Wow--congrats on the Big Bear cabin!!  Sounds like I'll need to stop and see you the next time I venture out to Yosemite or Joshua Tree!  ;-)

And it's great news that you can probably join the Moab ensemble in October!  We will roll out the red carpet for you!

Note to self:  ask @Dicey to keep an eye out for a red carpet remnant in her thrift store....

I'm not worthy of the discount thrift store red carpet but a free one they're throwing out will be fine :-). I'll do my little turn on the catwalk. On the cat walk. I'll do my little turn on the free trashed thrift store red carpet catwalk. (Sorry heard that song today and now its stuck in my head). If I can't make it to Moab then you guys can come visit me. Maybe by then I'll be acclimized to a high altitude and won't actually, you know, die when hiking abo've 25 foot elevation :-).

ETA but seriously once I get settled in if you guys are passing thru (as @Dicey often does) give me a shout). Dearly departed BF might be back from Hawaii then and living there too (we'll see) but he's a super mushtashian so fits right in with everyone here.

OK now you've done it.. "I'm too sexy for my cat, too sexy for my cat, what d'ya think about that?"

[Le Poisson]

I like Disco Dancing. And I'm not sexy at all.

[Exflyboy]

@spartana You have made the survival suit a fashion statement.. Looks good..:)

[Sailor Sam]

You called?

[Exflyboy]

Most?.. Sure about that?..:)

How the heck do you stand to be in those things for more than 5 milliseconds out of the water before overheating?

[Exflyboy]

Most?.. Sure about that?..:)

How the heck do you stand to be in those things for more than 5 milliseconds out of the water before overheating?

Well I would say all but there are the drunk blind ones I didn't count ;-).

I like the gloves on Sam's hands. And of course the adorable curls (running out of shooting range.....).

I guess you'd call 'em "Birth control suits" eh?..:)..

[Sailor Sam]

Wait, this one?



Or the yellow one? The neoprene one? Or the old skool stripy one?? We have so much sexy headgear…

[Sailor Sam]

Nice!

[happy]

You called?

Iy Yi Yi!, straight off Coast Guard Alaska! I thought you didn't do that rescue swimmer stuff. Don't you just steer the boat?

[Le Poisson]

How does one go about researching jeep trails in Moab? Last night while watching youtubers do youtube things, we saw some pretty fun looking trails, but googling the trail names brought up things like hotels in Bangkok. I'd love to go to Bangkok, but it would mean missing Moab.

Does anyone know of a site that is a like a 4x4 trail guide to the area?

[Le Poisson]

Also... October's timed entry tickets for Arches go on sale in a week - on Canada Day! (July 1, 8:00 AM).

https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088426/ticket/10088427

Set a reminder in your calendar if you plan on getting one!

[NinetyFour]

How does one go about researching jeep trails in Moab? Last night while watching youtubers do youtube things, we saw some pretty fun looking trails, but googling the trail names brought up things like hotels in Bangkok. I'd love to go to Bangkok, but it would mean missing Moab.

Does anyone know of a site that is a like a 4x4 trail guide to the area?

How about this?  https://www.discovermoab.com/4-wheeling/

[NinetyFour]

Here's another....

https://www.rr4w.com/Trails-Home.cfm

[Le Poisson]

You're the best 94. I want to be just like you if I grow up!

[Dicey]

You're the best 94. I want to be just like you if I grow up!

Don't ever change. We love you just teh way you are.

[Dicey]

How does one go about researching jeep trails in Moab? Last night while watching youtubers do youtube things, we saw some pretty fun looking trails, but googling the trail names brought up things like hotels in Bangkok. I'd love to go to Bangkok, but it would mean missing Moab.

Does anyone know of a site that is a like a 4x4 trail guide to the area?

This link might be helpful. Pay very close attention at about the 4 minute mark. Do not blink.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHxMkGYSE3s&t=277s

[Le Poisson]

How does one go about researching jeep trails in Moab? Last night while watching youtubers do youtube things, we saw some pretty fun looking trails, but googling the trail names brought up things like hotels in Bangkok. I'd love to go to Bangkok, but it would mean missing Moab.

Does anyone know of a site that is a like a 4x4 trail guide to the area?

This link might be helpful. Pay very close attention at about the 4 minute mark. Do not blink.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHxMkGYSE3s&t=277s

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to see there?? The proximity of the cliff edge to the trail? The trail ratings and difficulty is why I'm looking for resources now! I gotta figure what is within Mr. Jones' capability... and what's not.

[NinetyFour]

Look at the "extras" in the background.  You might just see a couple of MMMers about to hike up the trail!  :)

[Exflyboy]

DW (AKA HRH) has made it very clear I am not to take HER SUV 4 wheelin'. Even though there is one Youtuber that does exactly that with his Honda Passport! The mind boggles.

[Le Poisson]

DW (AKA HRH) has made it very clear I am not to take HER SUV 4 wheelin'. Even though there is one Youtuber that does exactly that with his Honda Passport! The mind boggles.

I'll need a spotter EFB! You can copilot.

[Exflyboy]

DW (AKA HRH) has made it very clear I am not to take HER SUV 4 wheelin'. Even though there is one Youtuber that does exactly that with his Honda Passport! The mind boggles.

I'll need a spotter EFB! You can copilot.

Sue I'm up for that.. It looks like fun..:)

[Le Poisson]

DW (AKA HRH) has made it very clear I am not to take HER SUV 4 wheelin'. Even though there is one Youtuber that does exactly that with his Honda Passport! The mind boggles.

I'll need a spotter EFB! You can copilot.

Sue I'm up for that.. It looks like fun..:)

Shirley you didn't just call me Sue!

[Exflyboy]

DW (AKA HRH) has made it very clear I am not to take HER SUV 4 wheelin'. Even though there is one Youtuber that does exactly that with his Honda Passport! The mind boggles.

I'll need a spotter EFB! You can copilot.

Sue I'm up for that.. It looks like fun..:)

Shirley you didn't just call me Sue!

I did!.. There's a song about it..:)

[NinetyFour]

Um.

What could go wrong??

[Dicey]

Um.

What could go wrong??

Literally laughing out loud. In the bathroom, no less.

[Exflyboy]

Um.

What could go wrong??

Literally laughing out loud. In the bathroom, no less.

I have a feeling @Le Poisson and I might the subject of some humour.. But I have no idea why?..:)