by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Our second day in Moab, Utah, for the 58th annual Easter Jeep Safari dawned with an intense sun that quickly bumped the temperature into the mid-70s by mid-morning.
Now, we’ve been to a lot of EJS events over the years, but this one is right up there as the best weather we’ve even seen. Even though EJS is a bit later on the calendar this time around, none of us ever remember getting to wear a t-shirt and shorts throughout the entire day.
As we get ourselves together for the day, we’ve excitedly looking forward to our customer appreciation trail ride on Metal Masher, a trail northwest of Moab that has a mix of rock ledges, slickrock climbs, sandy washes and, at the end, one of the more iconic views of the southeastern Utah area. Something right up there with Top of the World.
Like any good trail run, we begin by having everyone meet in the Village Market parking lot so we can give out some Res-Q Recovery kits and Quadratec flags. Additionally, we had Village Market make everyone some lunch bags for later in the day, so those were handed out as well.
From there, the trailhead sits about 20 minutes away north of town where everyone could air down their Jeep’s tires, set up video recording equipment, and whatever else they needed to do for trail prep.
This is also always a great time for a driver’s meeting. And with many first-timers in the group, our Video Production Manager and YouTube host Rob Jarrell, who is also an avid off-roader, got everyone together to go over some trail etiquette rules, talk about Metal Masher itself, relay safety information and remind the group about watching where they walk so they don’t disturb the cryptobiotic soil. That led into another reminder of the principals of Tread Lightly! so the entire group would leave Metal Masher as good, or better, than how it was when they arrived.
We chose Metal Masher because, in our experience over the years, it is a trail that offers some good obstacles and technical driving, without being overly difficult.
And on Sunday, the trail delivered everything it’s known for—tight ledges, steep climbs, and plenty of ‘Moab Bump’ opportunities.
The trail demanded attention but rewarded everyone in our group with epic views of Arches National Park and the Moab Valley, especially as we crested some of the higher slickrock shelves. The red rock scenery never gets old, and neither does the sense of community that comes with tackling a trail like this together.
For Quadratec, hosting this trail ride wasn’t just about putting tires on dirt. It was about connecting—face-to-face—with the customers who rely on our products, and the industry partners such as Teraflex, Warn, AccuAir, SEMA/TORA, Tread Lightly!, and Z Performance who share our passion for off-road culture. Getting out on the trail, helping spot each other through tough lines, sharing laughs at lunch—it all builds something you don’t get from behind a desk or screen.
The trail group was solid from the jump. A mix of rigs, driving styles, and personalities, but everyone showed up ready to wheel and willing to help. That’s what makes a ride like this memorable—not just the obstacles but the people pulling each other through them.
Day two set the bar high. We couldn’t have asked for a better crew or place to spend a day on the trail. Moab keeps delivering, and we’re just getting started.
Related Articles:
How To Prepare For Off-Roading in Moab
2025 Easter Jeep Safari Concept Vehicles — Jeep Continues To Tease Two-Door Truck
