rental car needed

[baltocharlie]

Hey folks: Any thoughts on what type of car I should rent for my upcoming trip? I plan to drive to
North Wash
Cigarette Springs Rd
Snow Flat Springs(maybe)
Moki Dugway(maybe)

Thanks!

 

[gnwatts]

If you are referring to Cedar Mesa, I have driven my Audi to Cigarette Springs, Snow Flat, and the Moqui Dugway in all kinds of conditions. Mud, snow etc. You could get away with with 2wd (especially on the Moqui Dugway), but I would go with a moderately clearanced AWD anywhere else. Cigarette is generally a piece of cake, Snow Flat can get more dicey. All of them can turn into mud hell (or heaven) with melting snow or rain.
I am assuming you have experience on such roads too.

 

[baltocharlie]

Yes Cedar Mesa, thanks Greg I have experience driving 4WD in snow, mud and rocks but little experience with Utah mud. I hear it's a different ballgame. I'll be there early April and hoping for decent conditions.
How much clearance do you have with your Audi. They don't strike me as a high clearance vehicle. But nowadays all auto makers have some type of SUV. The rental companies advertise Jeep Liberty as their cheaper(not cheap) SUV rental.
I drove a Toyota Rav through deep gypsum on the Hole in the Rock rd 2 or 3 years ago. Very interesting experience, not difficult but different. Others had issues and got stuck. I

 

[Nick]

I haven't been down Cigarette Springs or Snow Flat but the rest is totally fine for a regular car. But if it's not too cost prohibitive, I still think it'd be worthwhile to rent a jeep or something since there are so many possibilities for little explorations that a car can't do.

 

[baltocharlie]

I am leaning towards a high clearance vehicle at the least. I can afford the higher cost, I'm just cheap Thanks Nick

 

[IntrepidXJ]

The Liberty will have no problems with those areas you are going to.

 

[baltocharlie]

Thanks Randy

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Better to have high clearance and not need it, IMO

 

[baltocharlie]

Yeah, I agree. Seems front wheel drive and high clearance gets one through most stuff.

 

[gnwatts]

Audi = very little clearance, and some careful route finding.
What everyone else said. The roads are all pretty good. Snow flat less so, unless you plan on continuing down to Comb Wash. It has been a while since I have been there, and I seem to remember some sizable drops to negotiate.
Mud will be your nemesis methinks. I nearly got stuck in my Bronco once in mud on Cigarette Springs, feeling over confident.

 

[baltocharlie]

Yeah the mud is my fear. I'll make sure the car is well insured

I guess the thoughts are to wait it out if rains develop. I saw the video on bcp of the 4wd vehicle that was destroy in (previously low water) stream bed. Truly amazing how the rises so quickly.