When in need, the desert provides.

Chunky singletrack, dry trails, crisp air and open space are just a few of the reasons I typically hop in the truck during shoulder seasons and punch it south. However, the desert (and especially Moab) is a true melting pot in the west, filled to the brim with some of the craziest individuals and recreational pairings.

Dirtbags arrive in droves looking to climb the big walls and towers. Wealthy families tow $100K worth of Jeeps, RZRs and 4X4s to explore the land without the ancillary support required by the heart and lungs. Yuppies and engineers unload mountain and road bikes worth more than a college education. Tourists clamber off coach busses, bright eyed and thrilled to indulge in Utah’s majestic parks. Intrepid skiers take walks up the high peaks of the La Sals. Paddlers drop canoes and rafts for flat water floats in the fall, and whoop it up during the big spring melt on the mighty Colorado. Hearty trail runners pound slickrock and sink in sandy washes, searching for shade and conserving valuable water. The fringe communities stay busy skydiving, BASE jumping and highlining, but you probably won’t see them.

In the desert, there’s a place for everyone.

The desert also produces a breathtaking backdrop for any occasion one might dream up. On this particular October weekend, two groups of friends had a similar itch they needed to scratch and a Moab trip was born. The venue would also host a myriad of celebrations, including a friendsgiving, bachelorette party, Christmas party and birthday. It would also act as a jumping off point for massive group rides, moto excursions, and my first time canyoneering.

There’s no use attempting to compare desert trips. Each is unique and weird and perfect. Here’s to you, crazy desert people, and here’s to you, beautiful desert.