Rock Crawling Area BFE in our 2011 Kawasaki Teryx
I picked up a brand new 2011 Kawasaki Teryx back in late February, and it has been a non-stop quest to get a bunch of work done to it in time for my annual trip to Moab Utah. The goals for this build project are extreme suspension, lightweight, performance and trail capability. I really like the Kawasaki Teryx as a build platform because its v-twin engine has great power potential, there are some very nice long-travel kits available, the chassis is stout and aftermarket products are plentiful. With phase one of my build complete, I showed up in Moab with less than 10 miles on the odometer, and the only testing consisted of hitting a few speed bumps in my neighborhood. Not an ideal way to start out on a wheeling adventure 15 hours from home, but I was confident in the components. The first three days in Moab, we conquered Poison Spider Mesa & Golden Spike, Steel Bender and Cliff Hanger. I was thrilled with how capable the Teryx was in the rocks.
With three days of wheeling, our attention turned to what to do for our fourth and final day in Moab. The group started talking about Area BFE. I had heard of this place after this years Easter Jeep Safari. Lots of activity and events are held there and it piqued my interest. Area BFE is an offroad park that is most well known within the Jeep and rock buggy crowd, but it is also a perfect place to explore in your UTV. The park was created by a few individuals that had a vision to create a place where people could go off-roading without the threat of being kicked off of a fun little playground. The area opened in 2004, and since then they have been working to make trails, a camping area and many other fun destination points on the property. We locked in on Area BFE for our Thursday run and I was really excited about doing a little more extreme trails with my Teryx. In our group for the day were my friends Bob in his RZR, Dave in his RZR XP, Reid in his full tilt Teryx, Joey D fromUTVUnderground.com in a LT Teryx, Dean in another LT Teryx, Jeff Knoll of King of the Hammers fame in a bone stock Teryx, Casey Currie in another full-tilt Teryx and Woody from RockCrawler.com in his nicely setup RZR. The small group was a nice change to the day before where we had 26 UTVs running Cliff Hanger. Jeff and Woody had played around at Area BFE in 4x4s previously, so they led the charge and we headed for Greed Day. Green Day is one of the moderate trails at Area BFE, but with a few optional lines it was tougher than Poison Spider Mesa, Steel Bender or Cliff Hanger.
Other than almost rolling on one obstacle (I am sure it was driver error), I was super thrilled with my Teryx and loved the challenges offered by this trail. We ran the whole loop and ended at the start of another trail called Helldorado. The trail is probably all of 1/3 of a mile long, so we got out and walked it first. There was a broken Toyota at the start of the trail. It had huge tires and was stuck right in the first obstacle. At this point, I wasnt too sure that I wanted to even run the trail with my brand new Teryx, so I walked along with an eye on taking pictures of the others instead. Other than the first obstacle, there were a few more that looked pretty nasty, then a waterfall at the end that was impassable without winching. I watched Woody, Casey, Reid and Dean go through the first obstacle and I guess I got caught up in the moment and decided I might as well go for it too.
Surprisingly enough, I made it though the first obstacle without assistance other than a spotter. I think the long shocks coupled with the +5″ suspension and traction from the Pit Bulls were the difference. We made it through a few more obstacles, then the the trail got easier until the waterfall at the end. The waterfall at the end is pretty much impassable for UTVs and most full-size 4x4s so that wasnt really a challenge. Pictures don really do it justice at all. Definitely felt a little uncomfortable knowing you were going over if the line broke.
Area BFE was big fun, and we only put a dent into what you can do out there. If you are going to Moab, and have some extra time, put it on your to-do list. Whether you go for the more extreme trails or just want to cruise, there is something for everyone. I had a great experience in Moab once again. Always great wheeling, and I meet several super cool people each year. Just wish I could stay longer. And as far as my new Teryx goes, phase one of the build has completely exceeded my expectations. My gears have been turning since I left Moab on what do to next. I know for sure that I will be talking with Muzzys about a big bore engine, and I really want to check out some 30″ tires. I live in northern California with the world famous Rubicon Trail in my backyard, so I know that there will be some rock crawling in my summer plans. Hopefully the rain will stop soon so we will be able to get to the trail head sometime soon. Here are a few highlights of the phase one build:
2011 Kawasaki Teryx Build Partners:
Follow our build at:2011 Kawasaki Teryx Build Project Area BFE:
Since Area BFE is private property, they cannot charge an entry fee without the county getting way too far into their business. Instead, Area BFE depends on donations from users to enhance and maintain the area. Please donate, and also treat the property better than you would your own so we can continue to have the privilege to use this area. How to get to Area BFE: From Moab, go south on Highway 191 approximately 13 miles. Take a left on Pole Canyon Rd. which is just opposite to the road to Behind the Rocks. The turnoff is just after the passing lane comes to an end. The parking lot for Area BFE is in about three miles on a maintained dirt road.
Trail Description: Green Day
Trail Description: Helldorado
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