NAXJA in Moab
NAXJA in Moab -- Author:
Bart Jacobs
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NAXJA group at overlook on Hell's Revenge
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When I pulled into Moab on a Friday evening, nightly activities at
the Slickrock Campground were just getting started, following a long day of wheeling
on Pritchett Canyon and Poison Spider Mesa. Now this may sound like any other
group of friends
that gather in Moab, but this was an exclusive group of XJ owners known as the North
American XJ Association (NAXJA), who were here for their annual fall run.
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Ray in his 318 powered XJ dropping into Mickeys hot tub
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NAXJA is an Internet-based organization that was started in 1999
and hosts a forum for XJ owners worldwide to meet, associate, swap ideas and even parts.
They assist each other and provide an atmosphere to learn about Cherokees from people
who drive and build them every day. It's also a place where friendships are built and
relationships are strengthened, through a common interest.
I happened to crash NAXJA's 1st Annual run in the San Juan mountains
of Colorado last year (I'll admit it, I'm a party crasher) and was somewhat disappointed
with the trail selection and turnout. Still I was glad when I received an invite from
Jeff Turner to join up with the NAXJA group this year in Moab.
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Hagen traveled from Germany for the NAXJA event
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This year's event was a sharp contrast to last year's, being
extremely well organized and the turnout was amazing. There were people here from
all over the USA, many with families. One man, Hagen, even traveled from Germany to
attend again this year. The event started on October 12th and ran through the 15th,
with members and guests showing up at various times before, during and some staying
after the event ended. There was an easy and a hard trail picked for each day, with
designated leaders and gunners. I estimated over 50 XJ's at the event, ranging in
build from stock to extreme. There was even one XJ with a Dodge 318 magnum and auto
tranny swapped in from a Dodge Durango.
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Jeff "XJEEPER" trying Rocker Nocker
Pritchett Canyon, Moab
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On Friday evening there was a well attended pot luck dinner and
swap meet at the camp ground, with tales from the trails going at full pace. I got to
meet some old friends, put faces with names from internet acquaintances, and make new
friends. After dinner a few of us even ventured out for a night run on Hell's Revenge.
These guys are so friendly; I even got talked out of pitching my tent and was offered
a spare bed in a cabin (thanks again Jesse).
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| Mil doing the Dump Bump
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Saturday trails were the Rusty Nail for the hard trail, and Gold Bar
Rim for the easy one. We met at the turn off area on the Gemini Bridges road and two
groups of more than 20 XJ's each, were lined up for the respective runs. I was with the
Rusty Nail group and things went well until we got to the first obstacle (how many times
have you heard that). The group experienced everything from a broken axle shaft, to a
soft roll over by the only non-XJ vehicle on the run. The second obstacle on Rusty Nail
was harder than I've ever seen it and actually took more time to move the group through
that than the first obstacle. After all was said and done, only two XJs had to turn
back from breakage and the rest of the run was fun as usual.
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| Paul on the right side Rock Pile, Pritchett
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That night NAXJA grilled up hamburgers for dinner and held a raffle
with some great prizes. Again trail stories were shared and the friendships strengthened.
There was even an awards ceremony highlighting achievements and events of the week.
Even though I didn't win anything I gained a new respect for the organization and the
group.
The official event ended with the party Saturday night but a number
of us met late Sunday morning for quick run up Moab Rim. I never tire of hearing the
comments of first timers going up the Rim trail. Those that have run it know what I mean,
and those that haven't should put it on their list of trails to do and will find out then.
Overall, the event was a great success and I highly recommend the NAXJA group for any XJ
owner.
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| Bones showing off the cool uni-frame construction
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| Contacts |
Related Links |
- North American XJ Assocation
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Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc.
Dept ORN
P.O. Box 1471
Moab, UT 84532-1471 U.S.A.
Phone: (435) 259-ROCK
- Canyonlands National Park Headquarters
Dept ORN
125 West 200 South
Moab, UT 84532 U.S.A.
Phone: (435) 259-7164
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