Attractions: Gemini Bridges, a pair of natural rock spans; spectacular views of Behind the Rocks; and colorful rock formations. Trailhead: On Highway 313 at a point 0.9 mile west of the Mineral Bottom turnoff (12.6 miles west of the Utah 313/US191 junction). Easiest ridden from Red Hot to The Edge because it descends about 100 ft. Allows an escape from Deadman’s Ridge before the ascent. It is sometimes bumpy, very technical, physically demanding, and incredibly fun. Average grade about 2%. Difficulty: The trail has a few ups and downs, but mostly weaves a track that is at the same elevation throughout. Jeepers think this is one of the roughest 4×4 roads so take your time. Most hoof it over these obstacles. The profile looks like the teeth on a saw blade. From the Klondike trailhead out and back is 14.9 miles. Park at the trailhead on your right. Rockin’A and Bar-B. Frequent inspections reduce the possibility of injury. 900 ft of climbing throughout its entirety; riders can expect a good descent at the beginning with a meandering climb back to the TH. The characteristics of the area that make it a special place for riding also make it extremely important to follow basic safety procedures. Some ups and downs, but nothing strenuous. Lots of ticklish turns through rock strewn wash areas and down steep slickrock slabs. Though almost all of the area’s trails are worth exploring, there are definitely a few that stand out above the rest. About 300 ft of elevation change with an average grade of 6%. The trail is located on a heavily eroded sandstone plateau between Moab Valley and the Colorado River in the Sand Flats Recreation Area. The route of this crossing is convoluted enough to keep your attention, and includes a seemingly impossible traverse across an off-camber slope of rough sandstone at the foot of a 50-foot vertical wall. Type of Ride: Connects Cross Canyon to Borderline via a faint abandoned roadway. Type of Ride: Trail follows the contact between sandstone and red siltstone as it climbs to the highest point in the Klonzo trail system. The Moab Trail Alliance publishes detailed maps of each trail system and copies are available for $2.00 at most Moab bike shops. Type of Ride: This is the 1st trail in the Mag 7 system. Our aim is to bring all things relevant to the urban, action sports lifestyle into one creative space. Length: 3.8 miles from Kane Creek Rd (one-way). Note: Due to the high elevation and steep nature of these mountain trails, most of them are difficult and require advanced mountain biking skills. Dodging rocks in the road is the only difficulty. At least a gallon of water is recommended per person per day. Type of Ride: Trail crosses washes on dirt and rock. Average grade about 7%. Type of Ride: This is the 4th trail in the Mag 7 system. Beginners can do it slowly. A few technical moves through sandstone ridges and boulders keeps your attention. Attractions: Views of the Colorado River, petroglyphs, scenic canyon. The trail narrows as it ascends onto the ridge overlooking the Copper Ridge road. The Ride: If you want to avoid riding on the Copper Ridge Road or if you want to warm up before climbing up Little Salty or Baby Steps Loop, this is the trail to use. Great views along the trail when near the mesa edge. Most difficult section of the Enchilada. Surface is slickrock, sandstone rubble, and sand. Difficulty: Intermediate riding skills recommended. This section may require dismounting and walking. Average grade is 7%. Difficulty: This is a longer ride that starts easy, but becomes more challenging. Length: 1.4 miles of trail; includes the upper and lower sections. Once back in Little Valley, hang a left that will lead you back past the beginning of the Baby Steps ride. Average grade about 6%. Surface is all slickrock along shallow drainages. Stay left at the first intersection and take the first sandy right. Find out the latest mountain bike trail conditions for the most popular trails in the Moab, Utah area. Beginning intermediate skill level. Riding up from Copper Ridge Rd you will climb 823 ft at a 5% grade(average) challenging the heart and lungs. than a mile later. At this point, which is 0.6 mile from the Four Arches intersection, another trail crosses your route; go right at this intersection and then up over a low sandy hill and descend to the Gemini Bridges. Areas for Mountain Biking at La Sal Loop â Moab Front Recreation Area. Some steep roller coaster hills to climb at the north end. Perhaps one of the most scenic mountain bike trails in the world, Porcupine Rim makes up part of the famous âWhole Enchilada" ride. Start the trail at the intersection of the Gold Bar Rim road and the Golden Spike road. Type of Ride: All downhill from Deadman’s to the paved path. If you decide it is above your comfort level you can bail at 4 places where it intersects other trails. Difficulty: Another slickrock ride, but bumpier than Circle O. Trailhead: The junction of Highway 191and Kane Creek Boulevard in Moab. After viewing the bridges, return to the main trail. The Bar-M Loop Trail, for example, provides a great introduction to the varied terrain and beautiful scenery adjacent to Arches National Park. Length: 0.8 mile connector to 7-Up singletrack. Return to the parking area by riding north on the paved path or turn left (south) to return to Moab. With so many trails to choose from, Moab will keep you coming back year after year. Even though the trail starts at an elevation of about 4700 ft and ends at about 4000 ft, you will still have to climb about 1000 ft in order to descend more than 1600 ft. Average grade about 11%. Of course these are subjective and Moab has been building new trails like mad-so feel free to comment below about your must ride trails. Type of Ride: Long straight-away on hard packed surface. Rolling red dirt with a short steep technical slickrock section when climbing up to Dunestone. From the lowest point of the trail, junction with Cross Canyon trail, the Wahoo trail the trail ascends about 325 ft with an average grade of 7%. There are sections of dirt that will be soft when dried out. Uses Amasa Back road briefly to cross the creek and get up the switchback. Trailhead facilities include a parking area, rest rooms, information boards, picnic tables and a dumpster. Length: 1.5 miles including the connectors to Rusty Spur and the Paved Path. If you are a paleo-buff there is a petrified log to view about 50 feet off this trail. Note: road can be sandy and difficult for low clearance vehicles. Difficulty: Mostly red dirt singletrack. Average grade about 7%. Officially starts at the small cattle guard on the boundary between US Forest land and Bureau of Land Management land. Surfaces will be soft when dry. Slightly technical. Somewhat easier from north to south. It is closed to all 4-wheeled vehicles. Descends 120 ft in about 0.4 mi. Difficulty: Intermediate; physically challenging going up; fast going down. Or this is a good trail for beginners to up their skill level so the ride back on Dino-Flow is not a disaster. Type of Ride: This is the 2nd trail in the Mag 7 system. The high cost of these operations is normally the responsibility of the rescued party. Highest elevation about 4820 ft; lowest elevation about 4510 ft. Intermediate to advanced riding skills recommended depending on your speed. Total climb about 150 feet. This trail does not offer the vistas that some trails in the Horsethief area have. Please protect the native soil and plants. Slickrock Bike Trail. The trail is very steep and rough, with an average grade of about about 23%. This trail system combines 6 trails to make an epic 25-mile downhill run from the La Sal Mountains to the Colorado River. Difficulty: Intermediate riding skills recommended. The trail crosses Metal Masher jeep road and other 2-tracks several times before reaching Arth’s Corner trailhead. Stay on the trail to protect microbiotic soil gardens. Riders with strong hearts will enjoy the climb. Continuing on Deadman’s leads down a slope demanding your utmost attention and ends at the Moab Canyon paved path at Deadman’s Curve. The new mountain biking trail, rated intermediate, begins at the Lower Porcupine Singletrack parking area, and winds through pinyon pine forest in the Sand Flats Recreation Area. The grades are gentle. Difficulty: This loop and the centerline 2-track was designed for beginning singletrack riders. This is a favorite with local riders. Trail information courtesy of Geoff Freethey and Trail Mix. Descends about 160 ft then climbs 70 ft to meet Red Hot and Hotdog trails at the crest of the red ridge. The beginning 2-track descends to a slickrock trail marked with gold dashes that is more twisty, rough, and steep, before intersecting with the EKG trail. The Brushy Basin silty-clay is greasy when saturated. These trails are what Moab mountain biking is all about. At the north end the trail starts at the Zipline and connects to the paved path to the river. Average grade 6%. Average grade is about 3%. "... a borderline suicidal venture out on the highway into a relaxing walk/run/bike along the Colorado River. Difficulty: Intermediate plus riders. Difficulty: Do not ride if very wet. Difficulty: One-Way downhill trail. If something goes wrong you have the comfort of knowing that they will get help. Ride the line that marks the trail to protect plants and soil! The views and the scenery are ⦠Trailhead: Take U.S. 191 North about 8 miles to the Bar-M Chuckwagon, turn right to enter the Bar-M private parking lot. The following photos taken by Rim Tours guide Marla Bailey during a recent tour she led, perfectly illustrate the answers to two fundamental questions about âSlickrock,â (as locals often call it,) ⦠Now it’s up gently to another smooth red stone shoulder, cross a 4×4 road, then plunge into and out of the main N. Fork crossing. There is no doubt that the Slickrock Trail is as fantastic as it is unique, but it is a trail that I have done numerous times, and I never get very ⦠Ascends ~50 ft from Cross Canyon trail to the Borderline trail. Ride across the creek and up past Ahab exit to top of switchback before starting second part of the singletrack. The trail is not all downhill. Type of Ride: Start the trail at the south end at the Hidden Valley Trailhead. Rockstacker Trail intersects Pot Hole right before the dirt mesa. This trail is equally interesting riding in the opposite direction. About 30 ft of elevation loss/gain. Difficulty: Moderately easy with a few interesting turns into hidden valleys and through drainages. Difficulty: Mostly for intermediate and advanced intermediate riders, not because of technical difficulty, but for psychological difficulty. The La Sal Loop – Moab Front Recreation Area is located in the La Sal Mountains, south of Moab. Trail splits into a rim ride section and the Notch section. All Moab Trails Moab Mountain Biking Guides. It is no longer right on the edge of the cliff, so that danger is mostly past, but now the descent begins in earnest: the next mile loses 1,000' over many drops, ledges, and pinches. Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced. Type of Ride: Enter the Lazy-EZ loop a short distance up a road from the BLM parking lot. Mildly technical because of narrowness and turns. The Gemini Bridges trail goes left and crosses a large sandy wash. After crossing Kane Creek you will start a steep climb up a talus slope overlooking the Colorado River. Type of Ride: Start the trail across from the Arth’s Corner TH. Average grade about 5%. There are tough spots that may, for many, require walking bikes. Perhaps one of the most scenic mountain bike trails in the world, Porcupine Rim makes up part of the famous “Whole Enchilada" ride. Each trail has extensive information, maps, pictures and even virtual tours from MTB Project. Access off of Hwy-191 at Angel Rock Rd. This is a trek. Total climb from Mag 7 TH to Arth’s Corner is about 600 feet. Home of the original Slickrock and Upper Porcupine Singletrack Mountain Bike Trails, Moab has been the ultimate mountain bikers road trip destination for years. Type of Ride: Falcon Flow features fun flowy singletrack mixed with some challenges along the way. Difficulty: Intermediate plus to advanced riders; physically challenging. Welcome to the home of the greatest mountain biking on the planet. Singletrack starts at a right fork off of the Kokopelli trail. The riding area opened in 2015 with around 20 miles of new singletrack. Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Please use extreme caution! Length: 1.0 mile loop beginning and ending at the small north parking area. Length: 0.6 mile climb from Baby Steps up road to Baby Steps (south). Riding up from Dino-Flow you will climb ~300 vertical ft at a 6% grade(average) before it begins to level out. All on smooth sandstone that slaloms down the wash. Easy climb back up. And nowadays, with so many options, itâs difficult to pick the 5 best trails in Moab. To reach the trailhead from Moab, drive 2.3 miles east on Sand Flats Road from the intersection of Mill Creek Drive and the Sand Flats Road. Type of Ride: The Gemini Bridges Trail is well known to local riders for its scenery and long descents. Views are inspiring, but this is the norm for the high points of most Klondike trails. The Ride: Starting at the Wipe-Out Hill parking on the Ramblin’ trail. If ridden as a
230 ft of elevation gain/loss. That being said, if you are looking for a fun, long ride that takes you into remote desert, then Rodeo is for you! Grand County has the highest incidence of search and rescue in Utah. Length: 0.4 miles from south parking area to the intersection with the Copper Ridge road. Type of Ride: Primarily bumpy and technical slickrock single track. The water in the stock tanks at the trailhead is not potable. Difficulty: Intermediate plus riders. Difficulty: Nome requires more technical skill than Alaska to successfully manage some sections of slickrock, located in the horseshoe. This trail meanders through juniper/pinyon stands as well as open fields. Trial intersects Little Canyon ST about 1/2 mile before it ends. The next stretch of the trail winds through a wooded area and is mostly slickrock. Lazy is rolling, open dirt and limestone cobbles before entering the sandstone ridges, where it curves over and around outcrops before intersecting with Bar M. Across Bar-m is the start of Deadman’s Ridge. Ride straight ahead to the “Y” junction. Difficulty: More difficult than Wrangler. Loses about 40 ft of elevation on downhill run. Difficulty: Intermediate skill level. All the spurs are dead ends and a long way from help. Difficulty: This trail wanders along the dirt and slickrock between EKG and the Copper Ridge Road. Follow the paint marks carefully. Type of Ride: 6th and last ride of the Whole Enchilada. Short steep climbs and descents mixed with sand patches makes you work for the views of this remote part of Arches NP. The view point at the south end of the loop offers great views of Deadman’s Curve on the old highway grade (now the Moab Canyon Paved Path). A fun ride for beginners would follow the west side of each loop, then return to the start on the Copper Ridge road. Stay on the trail. Climbs are moderate until the final approach to Malachite; then are steep and technical in a few spots. From south to north the climb is ~1100 ft over 2.8 miles and the descent is ~935 ft over 2.5 miles. Walk your bike through the extreme technical sections. Rising Sun attempts to keep the trail ratings current, based on our own assessments of each trail as well information from the Red Rock 4 Wheelers Club in Moab. Difficulty: Intermediate riding skills necessary because of turns through boulders and the moderate climbs. Deservedly, or not, The Slickrock Trail is, hands down, the most famous mountain bike trail in Moab (and perhaps the world.) Average grade about 3%. The highest point is about 5200 feet and the lowest point is about 4950 feet. You will descend almost 500 feet in less than 3/4 mile. Ekg to Baby Steps ( south ) opened in 2015 with around 20 miles of 4×4. Advanced riding skills recommended depending on your speed is advised up ; fast going down toward. Less skilled riders need 3 or 4 hours to complete the Bar-M loop Gold Bar trail. 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