Flash Floods In The Desert(Description tells more of the story)

Trail Mater
Trail Mater
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Published 2022-07-09
We received a call for a Chevy truck with a broken pitman arm in the Capitol Reef National Park. We grabbed parts from the parts store and loaded tools in the jeep and put the jeep on the trailer. We went to meet the customer at the Visitors Center. On our way over we noticed clouds on the mountain. It began raining as we entered the Park. We continued on to the Visitors Center and picked up the customer. There were reports of flooding throughout the Park. We headed in to talk with the Rangers to see if we could get to where we needed to go but soon realized the severity of what was going on and instead tried to offer our services to help reach any stranded people or help the Rangers access areas they couldn't. It got to the point they had to bring in a helicopter to help get stranded hikers out. We went in to the flood area after being given access by the Park Service, I DO NOT CONDONE HOW WE WENT IN TO A FLOOD AREA WHILE IT WAS STILL RAINING... It was stupid on my part but we were trying to help the Rangers with communication and accessing the situation. Once the second storm hit things got worse and we decided to leave and let them handle it. We talked with them about bringing our trucks in to help with vehicle recovery the following day to help keep their equipment free to opening roads. Our main goal is to try to help in situations like this especially in assisting the Parks in our area during emergencies. However not having any previous dealings with Capital Reef they were hesitant to let us help. (which I completely understand and have no issues with). Luckily in this whole situation nobody was seriously injured. Some vehicles were lost, but those things can be replaced. On the 3rd day we were given permission to access beyond the flood area to get the customers truck out. So we did. I hope you enjoy the video and above all take away on understanding of being careful and mindful of the weather when visiting our beautiful area. Thank you everyone for watching and supporting us.
All Comments (21)
  • @donr416
    Raised in west Texas. Have been stranded for two days by flash floods. Stay safe. Be patient. Never camp in a wash. I would not have crossed those washes.
  • @ecka4x4
    I just watched a video on another channel from a family that got stuck in there & narrowly escaped getting swept away. They saw the car with people in it get washed past them & thankfully all of them survived. Not sure how big the event was, but the area is known for flash flooding at certain times of year. Some vehicles were destroyed, but amazingly everyone got out safe. Glad you guys didn't get stuck in it as well. I admire your dedication to getting the job done.
  • @grisslebear
    I love to follow these trips on Google maps. Just a note regarding the effort Rory & his crew are putting in... From Moab Motorsports to the Capitol Reef visitors center, going through Hanksville, is 148 miles... ONE WAY!!! The way they had to go out on DAY-1, via Loa & SR72 is 186 miles back home. Rory made that trek 3 DAYS IN A ROW WITH $5+/GAL. GAS & DIESEL to OFFER TO HELP THE U.S.F.S. recover stranded & flooded vehicles. THAT'S VOLUNTEER WORK, with no guarantee of compensation. So just a recap... he drove over 900 road miles, not even counting trail miles, JUST TO FINALLY GET TO THE ORIGINAL CUSTOMER, offering help was just extra.
  • @gowithbazza
    Famous last words "I've got every tool" only to find something missing 🤣🤣🤣
  • @jamesmadison6838
    I about spit my drink when he said “this is more like rafting”. Great sense of humor!!
  • @dustinnorth6603
    First time in Moab with my dad, went across a small creek crossing that was about a foot deep. Coming back later that day water looked like it was moving faster and a bit muddy but not much different and we didn’t notice that it was a lot deeper. He went to cross and once in the middle we could feel the tires leave the ground and we started floating downstream sideways. Luckily it was a short (yet deep) crossing and we bobbed down and my dad gunned it when he touched bottom. That was enough to get our front tires on the bank and pull out. After that we made note of landmarks to determine water level because not every crossing looks drastically different when flooded.
  • @donwilliams3626
    Persistence Pays! Day one - no go: day two - no go. Day three got em out! Thanks for showing how dangerous flash flooding can be. A wall of water can recarve both creek beds and canyon walls. And it can all happen so quickly; without warning. It was generous for you to offer to help. At least you did all they would let you. Thanks for sharing another adventure.
  • @dukeflem
    As I started watching this I was really wishing you had come in Trail Mater. YEA! I got my wish! To me, this says more about what the Trail Mater can do than any of the rock crawling events. Great Work! Thank you for your kindnesss and perseverence and to those who ride along to help and take pictures!! I love how someone calls and says "I have broken steering", and you show up in the middle of a flood in the desert, with all the tools and equipment to fix it.
  • @littlebigjoe1
    "Impassable roads" with Trail Mater loaded on the trailer. Good one... 🤣
  • @ephjay6t87
    The smell of desert rain ❤️. I swear I could smell it on YouTube. This is one of my favorite episodes, good job!
  • @kennethbrown8723
    Love to see how you have developed an arsenal of tools to meet every challenge! Another great trail repair!
  • @johnguilfoyle3073
    Rory needs to tell Ranger Smith, "Roads, wherever I go, I don't need... Roads." 🤣🤣
  • @monicadlynn
    UTAH I LOVE YOU I never considered the amount of waterfalls this place has.
  • @kevinpayne9001
    Best comment: "This seems like a bad idea!" ~ Mike. I just love watching these guys.
  • @lanceleavitt7472
    The old French proverb "No good deed goes unpunished" seems to apply here. It just cost Rory $1,000 to work for free. --- Thanks for the great upload. ---
  • @thomascaldwell184
    Where I'm from, you can register to be a 4X4 driver for major snow events. I've driven nurses, doctors, firefighters, etc. to their jobs when things get really crazy snow-wise. It seems like it'd be a good thing for something similar (if it doesn't exist) for events like this one, where you can either get called (how they do it here for snow drivers) or show up on site and they have you on a list of authorized drivers. Then they could let you through to assist in the rescue efforts. ...at least, that seems like a good idea from my couch. Also, you guys are fantastic. Rory, you're a consummate professional-- driver, mechanic, welder, small business owner, media manager. You clearly know your shit and have engineered extremely capable tools to do your job. As a small business owner myself, I have NO idea how you get it all done, but I'm glad you are able to share your exploits with the rest of us. Regarding critics... the proof of your capabilities is clear to see. Fuck 'em.