Southwest Badge Hunter: Moab to the Mountains

Every time I get ready for one of these Jeep Jamboree events, it turns into a marathon at the shop. Parts gotta ship, orders need filled, and there’s always that last-minute push to make sure nobody’s waiting on anything before I hit the road. By the time I finally rolled out of Alabama for the Southwest Badge Hunter trip, I’d been putting in 20- to 24-hour days and was flat wore out.

But when it’s time to wheel, you go. That’s just how it is.

About the Southwest Badge Hunter

The Southwest Badge Hunter Signature Series Trail Ride ran four days this fall, starting in Moab, Utah and ending in Ouray, Colorado. The plan was simple: knock out as many official Jeep Badge of Honor trails as we could fit into that window. I think the event was designed for five, but we managed to squeeze in six before it was all over.

What’s a Jeep Badge of Honor Trail?
Jeep has an app that lets you check in at approved trails across the country. When you finish one, you earn a digital badge—and you can even order a physical one to mount on your Jeep. Some folks collect every single one. Others, like me, just enjoy the ride.
This trip was part of Jeep Jamboree’s Signature Series, small-group adventures that mix overlanding, instruction, and special access you don’t get on regular events.

Day One – Moab

We all met up in Moab early that morning—ten vehicles signed up for the event.
James from Jeep Jamboree led the group in his overland-ready Gladiator. My buddy Jeff, who many of y’all know from other Jamborees, ran tail gunner in his JL built top to bottom with our parts: aluminum steering, 3¾-inch Advanced Kit with R800 shocks, bumpers, and rock rails. I brought my orange JL, my rolling showroom, running the same suspension on 37" Generals.

Kyle came out from Texas with his JL that’s been on one of our kits since 2018—same setup, still solid. Cheryl joined from Missouri in her full Rusty’s build on 38½s. Between everyone, we had a little bit of everything: stock Gladiators on 33s, lifted JKs, 392s, and some serious rigs from all over the country.

We started on Fins and Things and then headed over to Hell’s Revenge. The weather was perfect and the group was strong—no breakages, no flats, just good wheeling.

That night we camped on private land outside town. Jeep Jamboree had it all set up—showers, port-a-johns, and a big canvas tent for dinner. 

They cooked burgers with all the fixings, baked beans, salad, and dessert. I decided to skip the tent and sleep in the back of my Jeep. I’ve got an Icelandic blanket I picked up years ago—it kept me warm even when the wind kicked up. Lying there looking down over Moab, I could see the lights of the city and a sky full of stars. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Day Two – Steel Bender and the Drive to Telluride

After breakfast—eggs, bacon, muffins, and hot coffee—we fueled up in town and hit Steel Bender. I hadn’t been on that trail in close to 20 years. It’s got a mix of lines, so every Jeep could pick their challenge. Even the near-stock Gladiator handled it, scraping the hitch once or twice but climbing everything we threw at it.

It’s the kind of trail that lets you test what your setup can really do. That’s what I love—seeing our suspension and steering systems take a beating and keep working like they’re supposed to.

By late afternoon, we packed up and made the drive to Telluride. Two hours and twenty minutes of pure scenery—mountains, desert stretches, dried riverbeds, and endless color. I could’ve driven that road forever.

Jeep Jamboree had us set up at a nice hotel for the night. We all cleaned up, met in the restaurant, and swapped stories over dinner. I went with shrimp and scallops—figured I’d earned it. 

That’s also where I ran into my friend Thomas from Jeep Experience. He’d been our guide on the Iceland trip years back. Seeing him again halfway across the world just reminded me how small and tight this Jeep family really is.

Day Three – Imogene Pass to Ouray

Next morning, we hit Imogene Pass, climbing out of Telluride up over 14,000 feet—the second highest pass in the U.S., from what I was told. Above the tree line, you could still see old mining shafts and broken wooden structures from the 1800s. I always think about the folks who lived and worked up there through winter—tough doesn’t even begin to cover it.

The aspens were glowing gold and the air was clear. It’s hard to describe just how pretty it is until you’re up there looking down at the world. Some stretches of that trail are tight—91-inch road with an 86-inch Jeep—and 2,000 feet straight down on the passenger side. You stay alert on those switchbacks.

We came down into Red Mountain Pass between Ouray and Silverton and made camp around 11,000 feet. Dinner was chicken fajitas cooked right there on site, and the temps dropped fast—into the 20s by dark.

Jeff had a big tent, I had a diesel heater, so I moved in with him. Between the heater and the heavy bags, we slept great while the snow fell outside. It’s funny how “roughing it” sometimes turns into comfort if you plan right. 

Day Four – High Country Trails and Wrap-Up

We tore down camp early and hit another trail whose name I’ll have to look up—it started with a “P,” but what I remember most was the view. Snow-capped peaks, bright yellow trees, and a couple of mule deer that stood maybe fifteen feet from the Jeeps, not even spooked.

We reached a mountain lake that looked like glass and stopped for photos. I got a good one with Kyle and Jeff, and later one with Cheryl down by the water. It’s easy to forget to take pictures when you’re busy driving, but I’m glad we did.

Later that day, we found a stretch of rocks to play on—nothing too extreme, just enough to flex a bit. Everyone had fun. Even the folks who didn’t want to climb had an easy bypass. That’s the beauty of a good group—everybody helps each other, and no one gets left behind.

By evening, we rolled back into Ouray together. Nobody peeled off early, nobody broke down. Just tired smiles and handshakes all around.

Rolling Into the Ouray Jeep Jamboree

A lot of us stuck around for the Ouray Jeep Jamboree that kicked off the next morning. I ran Imogene Pass again—this time the other direction—with Brian Pour from Dana Spicer riding shotgun. We talked Jeeps, drivetrains, and caught up about everything going on in the industry.

The next day, Pearse, CEO of Jeep Jamboree, came out and rode with me. We laughed our way through the mountains, even discovered that famous Coors Beer Waterfall from the commercials sits right there on the trail.

That’s what I love most about these events. Yeah, it’s about the trails, but more than that—it’s the people, the stories, and the friendships you build along the way. That’s what keeps me coming back.

Looking Back

I’ve been building, breaking, and improving Jeep parts for 48 years now. Trips like this remind me why we do it. Every hour spent testing parts on the trail makes our products better for the folks running them back home. Every campfire conversation reminds me what the Jeep community is really about—helping each other, learning, and getting out to explore.

Rusty’s Off Road was built on that same spirit, and after nearly five decades, it’s still what drives us.

-Rusty Megois