Posted: 4/11/13
We were walking the floor at SEMA 2012 when we bumped into a gentleman from Moab, Utah, his name was Dan Mick. He saw the Axial on our shirts and immediately started discussing all the Axial Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons he saw on the SEMA show floor. He introduced himself as the owner of Dan Mick’s Guided Jeep Tours, a company based in Moab that offers ride alongs and or trail guidance around the spectacular landscape of beautiful eastern Utah.
About two months ago we received a call from Dan expressing that he had purchased his very own Axial SCX10 Jeep Wrangler. We worked with Dan to develop a body wrap that made his Axial Wrangler Rubicon match his full size Jeep. He was like a kid on Christmas morning when he received his newly wrapped Jeep body in the mail.
We were making our final preparations for our trip to Moab, Utah when we received another phone call from Dan, this time he invited us to come experience a guided trail tour, Dan Mick Style. So On March 26 at 8AM, Dan pulled up and we were off to see the back roads of Moab.
Dan was slated to be the guide for a group of Jeepers headed out to see a new trail that was going to be added to the Easter Jeep Safari schedule in 2014. This trail, called “Mashed Potatoes,” would offer some incredible scenery as well as some challenging obstacles for those who would like to challenge themselves and their Jeeps.
Anatomy of a Jeep Run
A Jeep run is an event planned by friends who wish to get outdoors and explore together in their Jeeps. It generally gets started with a Jeep club or group of friends that decide they are going to meet at a certain place and time to go explore.
The day will start off with a meeting with all of the drivers to discuss the days’ activities.
The group is all lined up and ready to go! The first stop is at or near the trail head where everyone will air down their tires and get ready
The trail leader will usually set the pace for the group, and be the one who understands the most about the trail on which they intend to travel.
Most of the communication is done via CB radio or FM radio. While transiting to the trail, Dan introduces himself, then asks everyone behind to introduce themselves as well.
The group will follow each other, one by one through the trail. The tail gunner is the vehicle at the very back of the pack. This person’s job is to make sure everyone makes it through the trail successfully, and that no one gets left behind.
The slickrock in Moab provides both amazing traction, and amazing views. Here we stop on a cliff’s edge for a photo op.
While out on the trail, there are usually several options to choose from regarding the path. The hardest obstacles become the center point of attention. Those with extremely well prepared Jeeps will attempt to tackle these challenges as the rest of the Jeeps and occupants will spectate… or help… or heckle. One thing always rings true though, when someone makes the obstacle successfully, everyone gives them props. Here are a few photos and videos from the “Gravy Bowl.”
Here are the Rebel Offroad guys, Jason and Bond in the Gravy Bowl.
Lunch time is always a favorite amongst the kids in the group, as it is their turn to get out their Axial rigs and do a little crawling of their own!
Here is Dan doing a little Lunch time guided run as well!
This guy painted his SCX10 Jeep the same color as his full size rig.
It's always fun to take the Axial rigs through the same stuff the full size rigs go through!
Just like the big guys, sometimes a little on trail repair is necessary!
After everyone has had a shot at the Gravy Bowl, and had some lunch, the run continues on through the Mashed Potatoes field.
Here is some action with Dan Mick's full size Jeep and scale Jeep running together on Mashed Potato.
The end of the trail, does not mean the end of the spectacular views, this part of the country is simply amazing. We are very jealous of Mr. Dan Mick. He isn’t kidding when he says he doesn’t work a day of his life, especially if this is the sort of thing he has to do and see every day!
For more information about tours with Dan Mick, please check out his website here.
