Originally published August 7, 2011. This firsthand trip report looks back at four days of UTV rock crawling in Moab during the second annual Rally on the Rocks.
I look forward to returning to the red rocks of Moab all year, but this trip topped nearly every previous visit. Rally on the Rocks gave us the excuse to bring together a capable group of UTVs and spend four days exploring some of the most recognizable rock-crawling trails in Utah.
I traveled to Moab with my friends Dave and Bob. We met up with Joey from UTVUnderground, Reid from Team Green Kawasaki, fellow Monster Energy Kawasaki driver Casey Currie, veteran rock crawler and King of the Hammers co-founder Jeff Knoll, and Dean, another Kawasaki Teryx owner.
As usual, the event also gave us the opportunity to meet and ride with off-road enthusiasts from across the country.
A New Kawasaki Teryx Goes to Moab
For this trip, I brought my newly built 2011 Kawasaki Teryx. The machine was still part of an evolving build project, but it performed beyond my expectations throughout the week.
The Teryx used long-travel suspension, larger tires, underbody protection and additional power to handle terrain well beyond what most stock UTVs of the period were designed to tackle. You can see the complete machine in our 2011 Kawasaki Teryx build.
Our group included several other modified Kawasaki Teryx models, a Polaris RZR XP 900 and an original Polaris RZR. In 2011, these machines represented some of the most capable recreational side-by-sides available, but getting them through Moab’s harder obstacles still required careful tire placement, capable spotters and a willingness to accept body damage.
Monday: Poison Spider Mesa and Golden Spike
We began the week on Poison Spider Mesa and Golden Spike. Poison Spider Mesa climbs from Potash Road northwest of Moab, gaining elevation above the Colorado River before reaching broad sections of slickrock and expansive views across the surrounding canyon country.
Golden Spike connects Poison Spider Mesa with Gold Bar Rim, creating a longer and more technical route through a succession of ledges, steep climbs, off-camber sections and named obstacles.
At the time of our trip, Red Rock 4-Wheelers rated Poison Spider Mesa a 6 and Golden Spike a 7. Those ratings and individual obstacles can change as erosion, weather and trail work reshape the routes.
Historic map references: Poison Spider Mesa Trailhead, Golden Crack and Magic Bush were among the important landmarks saved during the original trip. Riders should use current maps and local trail information rather than relying on coordinates or conditions recorded in 2011.
Tuesday: Steel Bender
Steel Bender lies southeast of Moab near Mill Creek and the base of the La Sal Mountains. Its difficulty has always been influenced by erosion, weather and trail repairs, making the character of individual obstacles subject to change.
A capable stock UTV could travel portions of the route in 2011 because bypasses were available around several of the most challenging obstacles. Our modified machines allowed us to try harder lines, although careful spotting remained essential.
Red Rock 4-Wheelers rated Steel Bender a 6 at the time of this ride.
Wednesday: Cliffhanger at Rally on the Rocks
Wednesday marked our first official Rally on the Rocks trail ride. We joined the event’s guided run on Cliffhanger, the vehicle route climbing onto Amasa Back above Kane Creek.
Cliffhanger delivers the kind of combination that makes Moab unforgettable: exposed ledges, large stair-step obstacles and views across Kane Springs Canyon and the Colorado River. The trail was rated a 6 at the time, but its exposure makes several sections feel especially serious.
The group included a broad cross-section of the rapidly growing sport-UTV industry. We rode alongside Can-Am Commander, Kawasaki Teryx and multiple Polaris RZR models, including machines from HCR Racing, Pro Armor, PRP, RockCrawler.com and Walker Evans Racing.
Thursday: Area BFE, Green Day and Helldorado
We finished the trip at Area BFE, a privately managed off-road recreation area south of Moab. This was the most demanding day of the week, progressing from Green Day to the much harder Helldorado.
Green Day
Green Day offered separate intermediate and expert lines, with bypasses around many of its harder obstacles. At the time, the published vehicle recommendations included at least 33-inch tires, a rear locker and a winch for the difficult lines.
Although our group had capable machines, the trail still demanded careful spotting. One attempt brought my Teryx uncomfortably close to rolling over before we were able to recover it.
Helldorado
Helldorado was a different level of trail. It was intended for heavily modified rock crawlers and came with a genuine risk of vehicle damage. Contemporary recommendations called for at least 37-inch tires, lockers, a winch, spare parts and an experienced spotter.
Our group consisted of four Kawasaki Teryx models and one Polaris RZR. Every machine had long-travel suspension and tires larger than stock. Even with those upgrades, Helldorado was a serious test of vehicle capability, driver judgment and teamwork.
Rally on the Rocks in 2011
The 2011 Rally on the Rocks was only the second running of the Moab event. Its format brought UTV enthusiasts together for four days of guided rides ranging from easy scenic routes to demanding technical trails.
Event headquarters were at the Old Spanish Trail Arena south of Moab. The arena served as the gathering point for trail departures, vendors, meals, games and other activities.
That broad selection of guided routes helped make the event approachable for newcomers without limiting experienced drivers to easy terrain. Riders could spend one day enjoying Moab’s scenery and the next testing a purpose-built machine on serious rock-crawling obstacles.
Why Moab Remains Special
Moab remains one of the best destinations in the country for exploring in a UTV. The area offers everything from relaxed scenic roads to terrain capable of testing highly modified machines, and nearly every trail delivers a view that is unmistakably Moab.
This trip was also a snapshot of an important period in sport-UTV history. The Kawasaki Teryx, original Polaris RZR, new RZR XP 900 and Can-Am Commander were helping transform side-by-sides from primarily recreational trail machines into legitimate technical rock crawlers.
Four days on Poison Spider Mesa, Golden Spike, Steel Bender, Cliffhanger, Green Day and Helldorado showed just how quickly that transformation was taking place.
Trail conditions change: This article documents a trip completed in 2011. Ratings, obstacles, access rules and vehicle requirements may have changed. Consult current land managers, official maps and experienced local guides before attempting any Moab trail.
