Description
Metal Masher is one of the more popular, harder trails in Moab. The trail is comprised of slickrock, sand, towering cliffs, and dirt with plenty of waterfalls and hill climbs. Even though most obstacles have a bypass, there are still several obstacles that you have to do. Expect 6 foot+ waterfalls, steeper than 50-degree inclines, and plenty of drops that you drag off. It is recommended that you have a lift and lockers before trying this trail.
While on the trail, you will be offered some amazing overlooks of Moab and Arches National Park.
Note: The .gpx track available here is of EJS 2016 Route. Stop at each obstacle and pick your route. When in doubt, follow the white tracks painted on the road surface.
Waypoints
1. Trailhead
(0 mi)
Trailhead of Metal Masher. There is a parking area with plenty of space to air down before taking on the trail if you choose to wait this long. Most people air down right as they turn off the highway.
2. Intersection - Stay Right
(0.7 mi)
Stay right to continue on Metal Masher Trail. Follow the signs.
3. Stay Right At Next Two Roads
(1 mi)
Continue to stay right on Metal Masher. Follow the roads with heavy traffic wear.
4. Ledges
(2.3 mi)
The first set of ledges gives you a basic idea of what to expect. These ledges are roughly 4 feet tall and slightly slick. Some momentum might be required.
5. Fork - Stay Left
(2.4 mi)
The trail curves to the left. Follow the Metal Masher signs.
6. Rock Ledges
(3 mi)
Here you will climb roughly a 4-foot tall ledge that steps up and is broken into several pieces.
7. Ledges
(3.3 mi)
The first of the hard play areas, this one section is full of options to try. But please note, there is no easy bypass around this, and each vehicle is required to take a hard route. The hardest route is a 12-foot tall vertical wall that is slightly rounded on top and dug out at the bottom. The required route is a 2 1/2 foot vertical stepped ledge with a 2-4 foot steep hill climb above it. Lift, large tires, and lockers are required for either route.
8. Ledge
(4 mi)
The next set of play areas. This part of the trail offers something for everyone. Just watch out for the overhang and try not to break.
Largest wall is roughly 10 feet tall and slowly tapers off to a bypass that is flat ground on the right side.
9. Tailpipe Hill
(4.1 mi)
Tailpipe Hill has a hard five-foot vertical ledge to climb on the left with a less hard, but still hard route on the right. Following the ledge is a long rocky hill climb that is roughly 80 feet long.
10. Rock Chucker
(4.2 mi)
Rock Chucker is one of the named obstacles of the trail. Large tires and a short wheelbase make this obstacle seem doable.
11. Mirror Gulch
(4.3 mi)
The trail edges up the cliff and gets very narrow, roughly as wide as a JK. Wide vehicles will have problems here. There are several ledges that are very slippery and will cause problems. The largest ledge is roughly 4 feet tall. Some momentum might be required.
12. Misty's Thumb
(4.4 mi)
Immediately following Mirror Gulch is Misty's Thumb. This set of ledges will give you something to work through. There are two lines. Hard: which s-turns up through the rocks, and Harder: which climbs directly up the steep ledges.
13. Overlook
(5 mi)
Here is an overlook of Moab, Arches, and surrounding area...
Watch out! That first step is a big one!
14. Intersection - Turn Right at Arths Pasture Road
(6.9 mi)
Follow Metal Masher to the right. This takes you to Widow Maker. If you go straight, you go back to the Gemini Bridges on Arths Pasture Road.
15. Widow Maker Bypass
(7 mi)
Left takes you around Widow Maker. This trail isn't easy either with several large ledges and rocky hill climbs. Right takes you to the bottom of Widow Maker.
The GPS track takes the bypass route. If you want to attempt Widow Maker, stay to the right.
16. Bypass to Top of Widow Maker
(8.3 mi)
Straight is the bypass to Widow Makers takes you above the obstacle so you can drop back down and check it out. Right takes you down to the top of Widow Maker.
17. Widow Maker
(8.3 mi)
Widow Maker is one of the named obstacles on the trail. This obstacle has caused many rollovers and is something to take seriously. Large tires, lockers, lots of horsepower, and a longer wheelbase will help you greatly.
18. End
(13 mi)
This is the end of the trail.
From here, you can go left and go back out the way you came in, or go right and head out to Highway 313.
19. Mother-In-Law Hill
( mi)
An additional challenge, Mother-In-Law Hill offers drivers a challenge like many others on this trail.
