Conquering the Nail-Biter Route in a typical Jeep Wrangler

author: FutureCar Staff    

I find myself on the edge, both mentally and literally, peering over the brow of the obstacle that has made this trail famous. It consists of giant ledges surrounded by loose rocks and a vast expanse of fresh air. When climbing, there are techniques to be used, such as left foot braking and smooth throttle control to maintain forward momentum. But on the descent, there is only one option: to drive forward and hope for the best. I cautiously drop the nose of the vehicle over the edge, followed by the rear, rattling the overhang and reshaping the tailpipes. I repeat this nerve-wracking process multiple times until the terrain levels out and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, I realize that there is only one way to leave this treacherous road - the way we came in.

The name of the trail, Cliffhanger, is quite fitting. Despite multiple meetings with guides and experts prior to embarking on this adventure, no one mentioned that we would be skiing down a diamond black run with skis attached to our feet. Our guide, Jim, did mention that the drops were long enough to read a book on the way down, but that wasn't a surprise. What surprised me was maneuvering our stock Wrangler between boulders the size of trucks, driving up rock walls that would normally be impassable, and carefully navigating narrow paths carved into sheer cliff faces. I thought we were here to enjoy the scenery, not become a smudge on it.

If you've ever been to the Nürburgring, you know that the experience begins even before you crash your car into the Armco at turn two. You start noticing tuning shops on the drive into town, the number of interesting cars steadily increasing. Once you arrive, the track surrounds you and is lined with iconic places to eat and stay. Moab is America's version of the Nürburgring, with less speed but more off-road challenges. There are 4x4 workshops everywhere to help you get back on the trail, places to rent vehicles if you don't have your own, and institutions filled with dinosaur bones and fossils. Moab is more than just a place to test your off-road skills; it's a town full of good vibes, founded by missionaries and miners and once the uranium capital of the world. But now, it's the four-wheeled tourism that has taken over, with bars, restaurants, hotels, and plenty of T-shirt shops to cater to the thrill seekers.

Our vehicle of choice is a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary 4XE, a plug-in hybrid with a four-cylinder petrol engine and twin electric motors. It produces a total of 375bhp and 470lb ft torque, which is more than enough for our purposes. Equipped with 35-inch tires, we strip off the doors and rear quarter windows to reduce weight and enhance the experience. We air down the tires for maximum traction. While a Wrangler may not be the typical choice for a midlife crisis in the UK, it is perfect for this adventure. We follow Jim, a Moab resident and senior trail guide, a few miles out of town to the starting point of our off-road journey.

Our first obstacle is a set of steps that I wouldn't have the nerve to tackle without Jim's guidance. We engage low ratio and carefully descend, occasionally bottoming out but mostly unscathed. Confidence builds as we continue, encountering water splashes, vertical rockfaces, and challenging angles. Our 35-inch tires prove their worth as they find grip where it seems impossible. However, we eventually find ourselves wedged between two rocks, with the rear wheel damaged and the side sliders scuffed. With the help of a winch, we are freed and continue on, collecting battle scars along the way. Despite the challenges, we have no flat tires or mechanical issues. The Jeep is in its element, doing what it was born to do.

With each obstacle conquered, the view becomes more breathtaking. The landscape is filled with red rock formations, evidence of millions of years of geological history. Snow-capped peaks can be seen in the distance, contrasting with the sweltering temperatures around us. The final stretch of the trail is perched above a valley carved into the landscape, offering a stunning but intimidating view. One wrong move could spell disaster. We survive the trail and take a moment to appreciate the view before turning around and doing it all again in the opposite direction. It's an adventure filled with challenges and a sense of accomplishment. And through it all, our Jeep, a vehicle that can be purchased off the showroom floor, proves its durability. Just like the little town of Moab, it is truly astonishing.

FutureCar Staff