Several have asked about the roads in the Robbers Roost
area and the San Rafael Desert and whether 2wd Vanagons
can go there.

The principal problem is sand--very, very fine, red
sand.  If it is damp, it is quite firm.  It blows
across the area, so fills the road in places because
the road in usually several/many inches below the
ground level.  In most places, this is just a small
amount of sand and is of no problem to 2wd vehicles.
This photo shows the most typical road condition:
http://jones.colorado.edu/jones/Utah05/R1-12.jpg

However, I remember how my 2wd '81 Vanagon likes to
wallow around in sand, and I would be careful,
especially with stock (narrow) 185R14 tires.  Keep
the speed up and blast through the short places.

The only place with longer streches of sand that
would probably get my '81 is the spur to Robbers
Roost Spring.  I don't think I could get through
them--and a Westy would be heavier.  Beware.  It
has a couple of longer, curved sections of sand.
The curves would do me in by taking my speed.

The only rough/steep place was a very short section
at the last isthmus to Angel Point.  I'm sure I
would have driven my '81 down it--and back.  Back
would have meant hitting it hard with enough speed.
That's where the granny low of the Syncro is so
wonderful.  I shudder when I remember what I used
to do to my '81 years ago.  Bent one control arm....
The air-cooled has no torque at low rpm; maybe the
waterboxers are better and could just crawl up a
place like this.

In general the roads on the E side of the river,
nearer Moab were less sandy, except for the
spur to Needles Rock--which really continues as
a very sandy 4wd road for the big-tired Jeeps.

Wider tires on a 2wd Westy would be a lot better
in this country.  Plus maybe airing down some.

All this said, remember that I get pretty conservative
when I head out alone to places like this!  Pmail me if
you have more specific questions.

                        Richard A Jones
                        Boulder, Colorado