by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
MOAB, Utah — Top of the World trail sits about 40 miles east of Moab, Utah and is usually one of the top attended trails during the entirety of Easter Jeep Safari week.
With its uneven, bumpy terrain, as well as several decent-sized rock shelf ledges, it provides a nice balance of technical and demanding driving that many off-roaders desire.
Plus, at the trail’s apex sits a small ledge that juts out into the air above Fisher Valley.
You know the one we’re talking about. You’ve no doubt seen those pictures of Jeeps and their owners sitting on that ledge — sometimes even hanging on to winch lines or bumpers and dangling off the edge into open space.
Well, our fourth day at Moab saw us load up and take State Route 128 all the way out to Dewey Bridge and the Top of the World trailhead. We were planning on meeting our friends from Tread Lightly! and a few others for a Tuesday of fence building and trail improvement work.
Normally, these projects draw between five to 10 volunteers, so imagine our surprise when we pulled into the trailhead to see rows and rows of Jeeps and a gaggle of people ready to head out and do some work.
Stunning. And at the same time amazing.
Altogether, 43 people, as well as several from Tread Lightly!, the Federal Bureau of Land Management and Department of the Interior, participated in the Top of the World trail restoration project.
This trail was picked because one section has several offshoots converging together, making navigation, as well as just staying on the correct route, difficult for those who do not know the area.
So volunteers some of the morning creating buck and rail fencing across several sections to prevent vehicles from leaving the trail and encroaching on natural areas, as well as installing an informational kiosk and wayside sign.
We say some of the morning because a project like this, normally would take up the entire morning and some of the afternoon.
But with 40-plus people all pitching in to do the work, it took less than two hours to complete the entire job.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the dedicated volunteers and BLM staff who contributed their time and energy to help protect and preserve the iconic ‘Top of the World’ trail during this year’s Easter Jeep Safari,” said Kabe Wolf, Utah program manager for Tread Lightly!. “These collaborative efforts exemplify what’s possible when agencies, organizations, and the off-road community come together with a shared commitment to responsible recreation.
”Every shovel of dirt moved, and every sign installed plays a part in protecting access and promoting conservation. Thank you to everyone who showed up, got their hands dirty, and demonstrated what stewardship truly means. Your work ensures that the beauty and integrity of this landscape will be enjoyed for years to come."
So, with fencing and signage installed, we had the rest of the day to spend on Top of the World.
For those who haven’t done this trail before, as we said before, you’ve no doubt seen a picture or two on social media of someone’s Jeep parked right out on the viewpoint overlooking Fisher Valley and the La Sal Mountains.
The trail itself isn’t overly taxing and is rated a six (out of 10) on the difficulty scale. For some of the way, it is a graded road that climbs a good bit up the mesa before switching over to the four-wheeling section.
From there, it turns into a lot of loose rock and numerous shelf ledges that offer just enough technical driving to be a good test for those looking to reach the overlook.
And, once again, the view did not disappoint.
Just like Moab and EJS.
