So all of you that wanted to follow Myself, Ivan and Roger up that climb are going to have to wait for when/if they ever open it again.

Here are a few articles on why it has been closed, and some info if you want to run it... I still can't figure out exactly why it has been closed... it's a bit early in the a.m., maybe...
Moab Times and Moab-Offroad .

After reading both articles, I still am confused. It is closed unless you notify the owner/Leasee of the land to use it? If you get permission, you can run it?
And will this affect us at GoneMoab. I was hoping to run Hells Revenge or at least Lion's Back.

Lion's Back is accessible without running Hell's Revenge.

Neither of those articles really talk about Hells Gate.

Hells Gate was an option (unoffical) on Hells Revenge. The rest of the trail is unaffected and will not cause problem for those of us going to goneMOAB

So, Carlton... do you know why they closed it? Now I'm curious... don't know why, but I am just the same... :p

Here is an article from Pirate 4x4
Read Here

Hell's Gate has always been somewhat closed. It was never part of the original Hell's Revenge trail. Last year during EJS, the Red Rocks 4 Wheelers and the BLM painted No Route on many unofficial sections of trails including Fuzzy Bunny Hill on Poison Spider.

Dan Mick told us last year that it was actually closed, but they hadn't put up a sign, barrier or paint yet. He said run at your own risk.

I like the typical whiny responses by the Pirate guys, always thinking they can go where ever they choose. 2 years ago I noticed one of their favorite members (Chris Geiger from All-Pro Off-Road) driving his buggy across vegetation near the Escalator, and brought it up on several boards. They gave me a lot of shit about it, and now what he and many others have done has cost them, and us.

They will never learn.

Yep we ran Hells Revenge last Saturday. Hells Gate is definately closed as well as Escalator.

However, HUSTLER did the DEEP hot tub and climbed out in an X. It is steeeeep. We had a strap with four guys holding his front end down.

I'm sure pics will come soon, I didn't take any as I was on the end of the strap.

I did run into Jason from RMXC, he was on a WR250F (4 hour trail takes 30 minutes on a bike ). Good to see you again Jason.

I read some of the thread and was amazed at a couple comments.

I am glad that private recreation areas are being created for the guys who want to be superman with the vehicles. They just want too much of an adreneline rush for the Moab area. The trail system is getting too tame for them.

I do not think they are considering all of the changes that we have made in our world in the last twenty to thirty years. The destruction of public lands has historically not been permitted. I think that this goes back into the 1800's when places were preserved from development. Development was removed from Yosemite Park. These guys don't understand that there are millions of people who if they observed one idiot destroying the environment that they would support the closure of these areas.

I had hoped to run this obstacle, but I guess I should be happy that I can even visit the area.

I'll stay on trail.....

Todd

Micky's Hot Tub ? (Micky's is further down the trail from the Belly Button, not next to it)

Impressive. I've seen extremely well built rigs roll over and die in that one.

That's sort of what Dan Mick said as he was watching.

Hustler definately got the big balls of the day award!

Dustin took a Quicktime video of it with his camera and other people were taking video so I hope it gets posted soon. I want to see it too, I was too far away pulling on the strap .

edited agian cause I'm spellin' shitty today

Sweet

Here's Drew from Full-Traction upside down in Micky's last year as Steve looks on...

That would be the one!

I would almost pay to see that Video, Hat of to Hustler...that screams skill

I'm not trying to cause problems but I now have no respect for Dan Mick so here's the exchange as close as I remember.

After a well built Toyota failed to get up and near stock Wrangler made it up Hustler drops into the tub. I was standing next to Dan getting pics and video as Hustler lined up his X.

Mick says, "I've seen a lot of tube framed buggies that couldn't get to the top of this and I've never seen anybody do it without help. They either go too far to the left and roll, or roll on their back."
"You can't get get enough guys on that strap to pull him up. This is a fool's challenge."

After two probing attempts to get an idea for the obstacle Hustler climbs to the top on his third try. He has a better performance than the two that went up before him.

Dan Mick just gets up and walks back to his free Jeep Rubicon shaking his head.

Later in the day while we were going over Tip-Over we let him through and he rolls right up and says "Walk in the park" or something like that to Mike. Mike says, "Well YOU got a Jeep."

Apparently Hustler had some words with him but I didn't hear that conversation.

I'll upload the video to the Video Forum when I get home.

Any images should be real interesting to see.

Way to go........

I bow down to Hustler

Todd

Dan Mick does seem to have a chip on his shoulder, but he is Mr' Moab. He created the Golden Spike trail in 1989, and spends every day running tours around the slickrock.

Back in 2002, he ran a group of journalists up Hell's Gate in prototype Rubicons as we watched and he said "I'd like to see one of those (Xterras) do that".

There is a difference between a 4 wheeler and a Jeeper.

You should show him the pics...

You missed the point of my post.

Video is up.

It still looks easier in the video.

Xterras Rule

Dan Mick can kiss my ass. After the smack he talked about the hot tub run, he still couldn't say anything good when I made it.

It was indeed the coolest thing to see, And Dan mick's only response was to stand up, shake his head and walk away

What a dick.

Just to let you guys know, as of the start of EJS last week Hells Gate and Escalator are both officially open. Apparently the Sherrifs department opened them up. There were signs in Moab 4x4 and I was told by the VP of Red Rock so if you wanna run it, go ahead.

Dallas

I found out too late. We were at Hell's Gate Tuesday, and the "NO ROUTE" lettering on the rock was painted over (poorly) and the logs removed. There were also small yellow flags hot glued to the rock on the exit. There were no tire marks in the sand up to the entrance however, and I decided against it. Escalator still had the NO ROUTE paint in place.

I play by the rules just in case, but that sure didn't stop the asshats we did see driving anywhere they wanted to. It really pisses me off that these fuckers can't read the signs as they enter Sand Flats that clearly state "there are no open play areas" and "stay only on designated trails". They will ruin it for everyone.