Day 4 | Conquering Technical Fins and Beholding the Sacred Arch

Scaling the "Fins" into the Heart of Utah

Day two in Moab. After waking to the crisp silence of our desert campsite, the team headed straight for Fins and Things, one of Moab’s most notorious technical trails.

The terrain is exactly what the name suggests: a labyrinth of "fins"—steep, shark-backed sandstone ridges—interspersed with deep, shifting sand. Mr. Koyari describes this section as a place where "you can’t survive without real skill." It is a relentless gauntlet of obstacles that demands total focus.

Steep Inclines and Ultimate Teamwork

As we drove, the view through the windshield alternated between nothing but blue sky on the vertical climbs and the terrifying sight of the ground rushing up to meet the hood on the descents. In these moments, a driver’s vision isn't enough to judge the terrain.

"Coming here alone is incredibly dangerous," Mr. Koyari remarked.

His confidence relied on his trusted local partners. Spotters hopped out of the vehicles, using hand signals to guide the tires along precise lines, inch by painstaking inch. One wrong move could mean a roll-over. In this high-stakes environment, the bond between man, machine, and teammate is truly tested—this is the raw essence of off-roading. After two days of soaking in everything the Moab trails had to offer, the sense of accomplishment was peerless.

The Reward Beyond a 90-Minute Trek

By afternoon, we traded our steering wheels for hiking boots and headed into Arches National Park to find the ultimate symbol of Utah: Delicate Arch.

The journey required a demanding 90-minute hike over rugged, uphill terrain. There are no guardrails or ropes here—just a few warning signs about the hazards. A single slip could be fatal, yet the danger only adds to the gravity of the landscape. When the massive sandstone arch finally came into view, Mr. Koyari was visibly moved. "Simply incredible," he whispered, struck by the scale of the natural monument.

Fireside Confessions in the Middle of Nowhere

As evening approached, we set off for Emery in the San Rafael Swell, a favorite camping spot of the locals. During the drive across the vast plains, a magnificent rainbow stretched across the horizon, painting the sky in surreal colors.

Our camp for the night was a "hidden gem" visited two years prior—a spot so remote it doesn't appear on any map. Dinner was a rustic feast of charcoal-grilled steaks and corn. Surrounded by the crackle of the campfire, we lost track of time. By the time we looked at our watches, it was 3:00 AM. We might have indulged in a few too many drinks, but the stories about Land Cruisers never ran dry. It was the perfect final night in Moab.

Day 5 | Journey Through Timeless Landscapes

The final day. Our journey would take us from the red rocks of Moab back to Salt Lake City. While mostly a travel day, the route still held some of Utah’s most ancient secrets.

Tracing 40 Million Years of History

Our first stop was the Buckhorn Draw Pictograph Panel in the San Rafael Swell. These ancient rock paintings, etched into the cliffside centuries ago, stand as silent witnesses to the human lives that have passed through this desert.

Continuing on, we reached "Little Grand Canyon." Carved by the San Rafael River over millions of years, this canyon is a stunning, compact version of its famous namesake. The layered red rock walls represent a staggering 40 to 60 million years of geological history. Though Mr. Koyari had been here three years ago, the rest of the team was seeing it for the first time, awestruck by the sheer scale of the vista.

"Connect, gather, and smile —through Land Cruisers"

By evening, we arrived back in Salt Lake City, bringing our 5-day journey through Cruiser Fest 2025 and the Moab Trails to a close.

• Bonneville: The sanctuary of speed.
• Cruiser Fest: Where Land Cruiser culture converges.
• Moab: The ultimate off-road testing ground.

This journey reaffirmed one thing: the Land Cruiser is more than just a way to get around. It is a bridge between people—a vehicle that creates smiles even in the harshest environments.

As Mr. Koyari says, "Connect, gather, and smile —through Land Cruisers." This journey was defined by the people we met and the moments we shared. The global Land Cruiser community continues to grow, writing new chapters in every corner of the world.

As long as there is a Land Cruiser, the journey never truly ends.