The "fins" are the Navajo Sandstone slickrock
northeast of Moab, and the "things" are what
remains as the fins erode. The fins started as wind-blown
sand dunes some 200 million years ago, they got cemented
in sandstone, and they are now going full circle back
to sand blowing in the wind. The trail is reached via
the Sand Flats Road, and the territory it covers is
the rolling country east of the Hell's Revenge trail
and between Negro Bill Canyon and North Fork of Mill
Creek Canyon. (Sand Flats is now a fee area for individual
visitors, but because this event pays a land-use fee,
the Moab Easter Jeep Safari trips pay no additional
fee.) There are a few sudden and steep climbs on and
off the slickrock that can be difficult for vehicles
with long overhangs. Any tire tread will do on the slickrock,
but the clearance added by tall tires is always an advantage,
while an aggressive tread helps in the sand. Approximate
mileages: 25 total, 13 off highway.
Trail Scenery:
The views near and far are exceptionally scenic. The
Navajo mounds and fins are themselves interesting, and
the deep canyon system of Negro Bill add a special dimension.
Farther to the east are the red mesa rims at the base
of the snow-covered La Sal Mountains.
Trail Road Surface:
Most of the travel time is on slickrock or very sandy
dirt. Some of the climbs are aggravated by a loose-sand
approach.
Trail Obstacles:
The trail opens with a sand hill featuring a sharp turn
that thwarts the high-speed approach often needed in
sand, but the hill can be bypassed. There are several
steep ups and downs on the slickrock that will drag
front, rear, and maybe middle of some vehicles. Slickrock
climbs climbs called "Frenchie's Fin" and
"Ken's Climb" are about as steep as we can
do.
Trail GPS Coordinates:
WP # Latitude Longitude Mileage Turn
1 N 38° 34' 47.7" W 109° 29' 55.1"
0 R
2 N 38° 34' 36.6" W 109° 29' 37.4"
0.5 R
3 N 38° 34' 41.0" W 109° 29' 32.9"
0.8 R
4 N 38° 34' 46.0" W 109° 29' 20.9"
1.5 R
5 N 38° 34' 55.6" W 109° 29' 16.8"
1.8 R
6 N 38° 34' 57.3" W 109° 29' 14.1"
2.1 R
7 N 38° 34' 53.6" W 109° 28' 52.2"
2.5 R
8 N 38° 34' 37.5" W 109° 28' 32.9"
3.0/ 0 L
9 N 38° 34' 42.5" W 109° 28' 31.8"
0.1 R
10 N 38° 34' 38.8" W 109° 28' 15.1"
0.5 L
11 N 38° 34' 44.9" W 109° 28' 10.4"
0.6 R
12 N 38° 35' 03.9" W 109° 28' 09.4"
1.1 L
13 N 38° 34' 59.9" W 109° 28' 37.1"
1.6 L
14 N 38° 35' 20.9" W 109° 29' 28.2"
2.6 R
15 N 38° 35' 33.4" W 109° 29' 43.1"
3.0 R
16 N 38° 35' 31.8" W 109° 30' 17.1"
3.7 S
17 N 38° 35' 24.1" W 109° 30' 05.7"
4.0 R
18 N 38° 35' 19.9" W 109° 30' 03.3"
4.1 R
19 N 38° 35' 14.5" W 109° 30' 13.9"
4.4 R
20 N 38° 35' 17.9" W 109° 30' 27.0"
4.7 R
21 N 38° 35' 26.5" W 109° 30' 47.7"
5.1 R
22 N 38° 35' 34.3" W 109° 30' 52.1"
5.3 D
23 N 38° 35' 29.2" W 109° 30' 53.4"
5.5 L
21 N 38° 35' 26.5" W 109° 30' 47.7"
5.6 R
20 N 38° 35' 17.9" W 109° 30' 27.0"
6.0 S
24 N 38° 34' 57.0" W 109° 30' 23.8"
6.4 D
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