When I lived out there, uranium was the primary industry in the area. My step-dad worked in the mines as well as many uncles and second cousins. After the mining stopped, all the cleanup began and most of the miners that hadn't died went to work in the oil fields. When the clean up ended, ( it will never be cleaned up) he went to work in the salt mine at Potash. Now tourism is the main industry: biking, 4 wheeling and visitors from all over the world.
We didn't spend that much time on the slick rock or in the desert; just too damn hot and Jeeps didnt' have AC. Some of the family had IH Scouts, and they had AC. We spent a lot of time in the La Sal mountains camping/fishing/hunting. When we did go "Jeepin", we picked cloudy days and most of the time had to turn back because of flash floods.
Still, the trails are awesome and I'm really excited to get back to my roots. It has been years since I have been out on a true Moab trail. Fins & Things is the quintisential Moab traril. Sand, rocks, Slick Rock and rock crawling area all about Moab trails. No water crossings, no mud no trees to drive over, just good ole desert wheelin.
I would be content with 75mph. Maybe a diesel conversion would get me the power. Really what I need to do is just build a Sami up and then trailer it out there. Right now the GV is fine, but I would love to have a Sami.
Rob