Metal Masher

Metal Masher begins off Gemini Bridges Road. Excellent signage marks the trailhead. There's a small area to re-group with vehicles that might have gotten strung out along Gemini Bridges. The first few miles of the trail are an easy, sandy road with occasional loose rock and washboard.

Stay right at a Y-intersection and continue north. The road heading southwest is a short trek through the high desert that leads to the end of Metal Masher, where it reconnects to Gemini Bridges Road.

Veer right at another Y-intersection, with good mapping signing. The trail heading northwest leads to Arths Pasture Road.

Continue straight, passing a lightly used road to the west that leads to Arths Pasture Road.

Stay left at a Y-intersection following signs marked "MM."

The trail becomes more moderate as the terrain shifts towards slickrock and traverses several small ledges.

Stay left at a T-intersection, following signs for Metal Masher. To the right is D1864, which reconnects to the main Metal Masher route later in the trail.

Stay right in a small slickrock clearing and traverse a wide, multi-line ledge nearly 7 feet tall at its highest point. This play area has many line choices from mild to wild. Bypass the ledge entirely by staying far left, traversing a 2-foot, multi-stepped ledge.

The trail veers left near a deep canyon where you can gaze out to the La Sal Mountains and look down upon Gemini Bridges road. Many unique rock formations lie in the area as well.

Shortly after the overlook, Tailpipe Hill greets drivers with a hard, five-foot vertical ledge to climb on the left side. To the right is a bypass, up and over the ledge. Following the ledge is a rocky hill climb roughly 80 feet long.

On the east side of the trail is an optional slickrock wall. The wall is extremely steep and tall. Longer wheelbase vehicles will have an easier time on this obstacle.

Rock Chucker is an optional obstacle that will test even the biggest builds. The obstacle features large, round, volkswagon-sized rocks at the base of a 12-foot ledge climb. No easy line for Rock Chucker exists, but spectators have plenty of room around the obstacle to stay back and watch from a safe distance before continuing down the trail.

This section is known as Mirror Gulch. The trail edges up a cliff and cuts a narrow channel through the slickrock, becoming very narrow. This is the most challenging section of the Metal Masher trail. No bypass exists. As you traverse through Mirror Gulch, you must climb a series of undulating ledges, with the largest being around 4 feet tall. If you find your vehicle hopping on a ledge, stop, back up slightly, and roll into the ledge, carrying a small amount of momentum. This is known as "The Moab Bump."

Traverse one final 3-foot ledge before the trail widens. Careful tire placement is needed at this obstacle.

Immediately following Mirror Gulch is Misty's Thumb, a set of ledges that will give any rig a workout. Many lines exist here, with the traditional route making an s-turn up through the rocks and parallelling the most extensive ledges. Alternatively, drivers can attempt to shoot directly up the steep ledges head-on, requiring large tires, a longer wheelbase, and some wheel speed.

The trail reaches Arth's Rim, 1,300 feet above Highway 191 and the Gemini Bridges road you entered on. Fantastic views can be had here of the La Sal Mountains and Arches National Park. The trail continues traveling northwest along the rim. Southwest along the rim is a short trail that leads to Court Point, a high outcropping occupied by a few lone Juniper Trees.

A significant ledge drop marks the end of your travels along the rim. This location makes for spectacular photos and an excellent articulation spot. IFS vehicles should be careful with tire placement so as not to upset the center of gravity too quickly.

Continue to follow signs for Metal Masher and turn west. Continuing straight leads down Arth's Pasture Road and is the fastest and easiest way back to Gemini Bridges Road.

Turn southwest, following the "MM" signs. Continuing straight leads to the extreme Widow Maker obstacle, an 18-foot vertical waterfall with no bypass. The trail leading to Widow Maker is a bumpy, 1-mile trek. If you are looking to simply spectate, the best viewing area is to follow the main route to Waypoint 23.

This large, sandy campsite peering out towards the distant La Sal Mountains is the only dispersed campsite along the trail. The ground is relatively flat and free of cryptobiotic soil. The site is large enough for several vehicles and tents.

Veer slightly right, passing BLM road D1853. D1853 makes a half-circle trek southwest through the desert, reconnecting at Waypoint 25.

At a three-way intersection, drivers have the choice of continuing straight and shortcutting to Waypoint 24, or making a hard turn north to visit the top of the Widow Maker obstacle.

Widow Maker reconnects trail. Stay south. Heading north takes you to the top of the Widow Maker obstacle, a fine viewpoint for spectators.

Continue south, passing the shortcut road from Waypoint 22, and drop a series of moderate ledges. After these ledges, the trail smooths out, becoming sandier and less rocky.

Continue straight at the D1583 intersection.

The trail has a 3-foot ledge along the right side. Bypass the ledge entirely by staying along the left side of the trail.

At a Y-intersection below the ledges, stay right to continue along Metal Masher. To the left is an alternate exit down D0009A. This road heads southeast a short distance, intersecting with Arth's Pasture Road.

The trail travels up a short hill traversing a series of small ledges. These ledges are the last required obstacle along the trail.

The trail circles around the top of a play area known as Mother-In-Law Hill. This play area has many ledges with numerous lines. The hill is optional and can be entirely bypassed to the east.

At a Y-intersection, stay left and travel south, passing Intersection.

The trail ends at a T-intersection with Gemini Bridges Road. A left will take you by Gemini Arch and back to Highway 191. A right will lead you to Highway 313, Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway.