MOAB MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS
advanced skill level
ADVANCED riders are those who have many years of riding experience under their belts. An advanced rider is mature, highly skilled, aerobically fit, and is wise enough to exert caution first. WISE is the key word. An advanced rider never rides beyond the limits of equipment. An advanced rider seldom crashes, though will push limits of ability in appropriate sections of trail. An advance mountain cyclist is efficient, using finesse with judicial bursts of power to maneuver around and through obstacles. Ego does not make him or her do stupid stuff like ride an exposed section of trail with technical challenges of any sort. An advanced rider has enough sense to get off and walk when there is an unacceptable chance of injury, without a guide having to tell him or her to do so. If you are extremely skilled, but find yourself showing off or egging other riders on to do stupid things, then you are not advanced, you are immature intermediate, a category we do not include in this section of the web site and a clientelle we try to avoid. Advanced riders are people who we do not have to think about much on the trail. We love you guys and gals, because you make our job easy. We only have to show you the way, hang on, tell some stories, and have a great time.
Dreamride's best routes are top secret! If you are looking for extreme solitude, hardcore riding, pristine environment and rare wildlife viewing, that is what Dreamride specializes in. Listings here are traditional mountain biking areas listed in guidebooks and on maps that can be bought. Our favorite routes are not listed anywhere.
This listing is provided by Dreamride LLC of Moab, highlighting a small sample of trails offered as part of the company's Moab Vacation Packages. For your information, Dreamride does not list the vast majority of the trails offered to our clients, keeping them secret to maintain solitude and environmental soundness. If you are looking for more information on mountain bike trails in the Moab area click on MOUNTAIN BIKE AMERICA MOAB GUIDEBOOK. Be sure to visit the SAFETY GUIDE before coming to Moab. It could save your life and contains valuable environmental information that is required knowledge for all visitors to canyon country. For information on tour packages and other services offered by Dreamride in Uath, Hawaii, and Colorado, click on VACATION PACKAGES or CONTACT DREAMRIDE.
Group maximum size: 4 (no mixed skills)
Trace the route of the April Moab Rocks mountainbike race. We
shuttle to the head of Amasa Back Trail and mount up for the warm-up ride
up Kane Creek Road to Hurrah Pass. At the pass we drop down to the Colorado
River and travel onward through Jackson Hole to the sick portage called Jacob's
Ladder. We push our bikes up to the Amasa Back Trail
which takes us back down on a series of challenging rock ledge sections
to Kane Creek Road to complete a giant loop. Great ride!
This route has been degraded due to the 24 hour race. The riding is still fine, though the trail has been widened, but the natural setting and archealogical resources are being greatly effected by over-use. If you are interested in reading the horrible truth, click on 24 HOURS OF MOAB.
Group maximum size: 4 (no mixed skills)
This ride is amazingly technical and wondrously beautiful, for serious mountainbikers who may also be
serious photographers. We travel
out behind the incredible "beehives" along a very rugged 4WD road
(you'll wonder who in hell would want to take a motorized vehicle for such
abuse) that makes up the best half of the course for the 24 Hours of Moab race. The Dreamride route takes you to a spot over Upper Hunter Canyon where we have seen golden eagles, foxes and coyotes. See it with us before these creatures vacate due to overuse by humans.
Group maximum size: 4 advanced riders only.
This is a very famous motocross and 4WD track, but we rarely see other mountainbike tracks on the lower section of the Behind the Rocks Trail that are not made
by Dreamride' tour groups. Only the experienced, the brave, and the bonehead stupid ride this trail because of its confusing
spurs and challenging sand and ledge surfaces, but if you are up to the task, ride with us and we will remove the "get lost, scary" factor and point you
in the right direction. This is an extension
of Behind the Rocks route that takes you into upper Hunter Canyon on a very technical
4WD road, onward to Pritchett Arch, and down Pritchett Canyon to Kane Creek
Road. We stop at Prostitute Butte for snacks, then at a slickrock play area, then again at a slickrock beehive with a particularly wonderful 360 degree view,
and again at Pritchett Arch for a ride on some gnarly slickrock play, a light snack and rest, then ride down Pritchett
Canyon. Ah, the afterglow! We offer this ride in Summer, but only to very
strong riders who are willing to carry the necessary water. In Spring and Fall this
ride is pure heaven.
Group maximum size: 4 advanced riders only.
A word of caution if you ride Flat Pass without a guide the first time. There is a spur that grabs newcomers. If you find yourself out on this spur in a thunderstorm, it could be fatal. Use a good trailguide.
Group maximum size: 4 of advanced skills only!
The standard M&M route begins with a visit to Mill Canyon dinosaur fossil site, then head straight
ahead into Mill Canyon across Courthouse Pasture and out to Monitor Butte.
We encircle the Monitor clockwise, then tuck behind Merrimac Butte. We
stop at the backside of Merrimac Butte for snacks and slickrock fun,
then head to Termination Towers to ride around the slickrock shelf. We
will head back to the Mill Canyon Trail then take a spur that carries us
out and around unnamed buttes above Courthouse Pasture. We will travel
west of Courthouse Rock, visiting the Blue Buffalo rock art site, the head back to the trailhead, stopping to check out
the old Thompson-Moab stage coach rest stop and a spot next to a spring
where Indians once camped. Advanced riders have options out here only available to the highly skilled.
Moab Rocks Epic
For riders who insist on going fast on changing trail surfaces.
Surfaces: Dirt road, gravel, technical 4WD track with loose rock, sand,
and slickrock ledges, brutal rocky portage called Jacob's Ladder--very challenging.
Distance: 25 miles
Attractions: Anasazi rock art; isolation; spectacular views of the Colorado
River gorge and the Jackson Hole area; strange rock formations; technical
riding challenges. This ride is a real workout.
Behind
the Rocks
Trail sections of rock ledges that drop into soft
sand, huge expanses followed by tight box canyons, fast straightaways followed
by steep ledgy, rocky hills, unbelievable rock formations, sandstone arches, weird buttes,
quiet solitude, and lots of slickrock options make this a great place to ride for folks who aren't wimpy. The basic route traces most of the Moab 24 hour race course loop, but Dreamride offers much more variety and takes you on some side spurs that facilitate slickrock play.
Surfaces: Sand, ledges, up and down every kind of surface Moab has to offer.
Distance: 12 miles
Attractions: Beauty and the beast! Remote.
Behind
the Rocks Epic (The Mountainbike Junkie's Fix)
One of our two most challenging full day tours. This is among the hardest day rides
you can complete on a mountainbike.
You'll really feel like you have done something after this one. Not for the faint or heart or anyone who may exaggerate their capabilities. If shit happens, you are in it deep. It is a long way for help and cell phones don't work on 90% of the route.
Surfaces: Everything imaginable; awesome slickrock, sand, loose rock, stepped
ledges, hardpack, bedrock, babyheads, etc.
Distance: 23+ miles (takes about 7 hours to complete, depending on slickrock
play options and speed)
Attractions: Lee Bridgers is the sole guide for this route. You must book an ELITE PACKAGE to secure his services. While the area has been damaged by the 24 hour race and overuse by 4WD, ATV and motorcycles, Lee still claims it is his favorite, . . . . but Lee loves sand. This route has everything and used to be the best mountain bike ride anywhere. Bring a camera and a full suspension bike. Check it out for yourself, but don't book this trip unless you are ready for it.
Flat
Pass
Flat Pass is a challenging ride around a massive sandstone table between Moab
and the La Sals. We shuttle south, leave from the drainage into Ken's Lake and end with a wild downhill road ride into
Moab. It is an intermediate to advanced trek across ledgy slickrock, sand,
and loose round stones (babyheads deluxe). If you want a warm-up, we can ride from Moab.
Surfaces: 4WD track, loose rock, hard pack, rocky ledges, stream bed babyheads, sand,
slickrock.
Distance: 14 miles.
Attractions: Another classic Moab, Utah ride with stream crossings, red
rock ledges, and box canyons. A moderately strenuous intermediate to advanced ride with technical challenges.
Monitor
and Merrimac
This area is awesome, providing an amazing variety of routes including a couple of stunning epic rides. We can customize your visit here to include just about every challenge Moab has to offer. THIS PLACE IS HEAVEN for advanced skilled riders!
Surfaces: 4WD track, sand, slickrock, ledges, singletrack.
Distance: 17+ miles
Attractions: Dinosaur bones galore at Mill Canyon; bizzare chert nodules
scattered everywhere; western history; geological spots of interest; slickrock, sand and ledge
riding challenges; strange rock formations; wildlife; sand slogging options (if
you like that sort of thing--we do); the only dirty petroglyphs around Moab.
The Eagle's Perch
Another Moab epic for strong riders. This is a little known trail that has all the challenges associated with Moab terrain. Recommended
for riders who think they have ridden all the best trails in Moab, but haven't
heard of this one. Dart around Pinon Pine and Juniper
onto slickrock and sand and loose rock to spectacular views and wild rock
formations.
Group size: 4 (no mixed skills)
Surfaces: 4WD track, singletrack, slickrock, sand, rock ledges, loose rock,
de facto singletrack .
Distance: 23 to 27 miles
Attractions: Arches; views of Arches National Park from the rim above the
Moab fault; slickrock fun; twisty, rocky, desert track; distance riding.
To trace the Eagle's Perch ride we climb to the Gemini Bridges trail then travel up Little Canyon past the Gooneybird and up the hill toward Gemini Bridges. We take an obscure spur out to the rim, completing a huge loop that reconnects to the top of the Gemini Bridges Trail then heads on an out and back to Two Tortoise Rock, Bull Canyon, and/or Gemini Bridges. It's a LONG way!
Porcupine Rim
Second only to Behind the Rocks in hardcore fun, this is a ride for those who want guts and glory, but not too much distance. This legendary trail can be dangerous without a guide the first time you ride it. It contains a difficult, technical climb at the start, travels along a cliff overlooking Castle Valley, then blasts downhill for a jarring ride that demands you occasionally stop to check your bike. The ride ends with a very special bit of singletrack that takes you down to the Colorado River.
Group maximum size: 4 (no mixed skills)
Surfaces: Rocks, slickrock ledges, ledges, sand, loose rock, packed sediments.
Distance: 18 miles.
Attractions: Bedrock jackhammer bumps. Spectacular scenery. Singletrack.
Gold Bar Rim/Poison Spider Mesa Options
Gold Bar Rim
Group maximum size: 4 (no mixed skills)Surfaces: 4WD track, ledges, slickrock, sand, loose rock.
Distance: 18 miles
Attractions: Views (awesome view from the rim); Moab-style technical riding at its best.
This is an out and back ride. From the parking lot on 191 we head toward Gemini Bridges until we reach the Gold Bar Rim turnoff and head south, then east to the Gold Bar Rim. We will stop on the Rim to snack, take in the view, and encourage some slickrock play, then turn around and head out the same way we came in. This ride can also be a one-way ride out to and down the Portal Trail, if your group request that it be (see #10). We do not generally advise use of the Portal Trail due to the vertical exposure (we would like to keep our insurance, and your business).
Gold Bar Rim to Portal Trail or Poison Spider Mesa
This is the most difficult ride in the Moab area, a ride for the hardcore biker who craves continued extreme challenges, comparable only to the Behind the Rocks epic ride.
Group maximum size: 4 (no mixed skills--advanced riders only)
Surfaces: 4WD track, ledges, slickrock, sand, loose rock, singletrack.
Distance: 16 miles
Attractions: Views (awesome view from the rim); Moab-style technical riding
at its best and most challenging.
From the parking lot on 191 we head toward Gemini Bridges until we reach the Gold Bar Rim turnoff and head south, then east to the Gold Bar Rim. Once we reach the rim and its amazing views of Arches and the Maob Fault we continue along the rim for some of Moab's best technical challenges to the Portal Trail where your guide will insist that you walk most of the Portal route to the road. Note: The Portal Trail is known as a "death defying ride" and is not recommended to riders who are not prepared to experience some very scary vertical exposure. Even walking it is dangerous. We insist the most exposed and technical sections be walked for your safety. Once we have traversed the exposed section of trail along the Portal and navigated the drop down to Potash Road we either ride a few feet on the paved road to our waiting shuttle or return to Moab (your call). If you opt for continuing down the Poison Spider Mesa trail, you will be adding quite a bit more technical mileage. This ride will take a minimum of eight hours to complete, maybe more.
Poison Spider Mesa
We get a lot of business from riders who we find lost on this trail. One of the most popular trails around Moab, Poison Spider Mesa is recommended, but should always be ridden with someone who knows the trail, at least for the first time. Make no mistake the trail is difficult and contains some very challenging slickrock and ledgey drop-offs. Can be done as an out and back or as the loop described below, including the infamous and deadly Portal Trail.
Group maximum size: 4 advanced riders only.
Surfaces: Technical 4WD track, sand, slickrock, ledges, banked sandy and/or
packed turns.
Distance: 16 miles
Attractions: Sickrock riding at its best (see the Bike Surfing Page!). The view of Moab from the head
of the Portal Trail is worth the price of admission. Very many views of
the Portal from shady spots along the rim.
Poison Spider Mesa to Portal Trail
Instead of returning via a retrace of the Poison Spider Trail, we will take the Portal downward. This is tour number 13. Do you feel lucky? The Portal is not for anyone who doesn't feel lucky. We insist you walk the exposed section.
Group maximum size: 4 advanced riders only.
Surfaces: Technical 4WD track, sand, slickrock, ledges, banked sandy and/or
packed turns.
Distance: 16 miles
Attractions: Sickrock riding at its best! The view of Moab from the head
of the Portal Trail is worth the price of admission.
We will travel out to the mesa on a predominately uphill route to the overlook above the Portal Trail, then head downward! Be careful. Once at the bottom of the gravity rush we take Potash Road back to the shuttle at the trailhead.
The La Sal and Abajo Mountains
In summer and fall these two mountain ranges, among the three youngest on the planet, are filled with strong novice to highly advanced skill-level rides on singletrack that will simply blow your mind. In summer the temperature is well below the hellish desert below (well, some of us like hell, too). The singletrack in the Abajo Mountains is among the very best anywhere in the United States. Singletrack trails in the La Sal Mountains are always extremely difficult while the Abajos offer a somewhat milder variety (still very difficult). We highly recommend the Aspen Flat full day ride out to Shay Mountain Saddle, the best of the best, ending with an unimaginable view of the Maze and Needles Districts with the Henry Mountains in the distance. Lee Bridgers supplied this location for the climax of the upcoming IMAX film, EVEREST, that will be released in February of 1998. See the film. See the view!
Group maximum size: 4 advanced riders only.
Surfaces: Singletrack, 4WD track, gravel, loose rock, hard pack, loam, rocky ledges,
stream bed, sand.
Distances: 10 to 55
Attractions: Abundant wildlife, beautiful views, cool forests, water,
fishing combos.
Trails: Aspen Flat, Moonlight Meadow, Warner Lake to Oowah Lake to Boren Mesa, La Sal Loop, Miners Basin, Burro Pass, La Sal Pass, Sheepherder's Heaven, Indian Creek, Shay Mountain, Elk Ridge, The Seven Sisters, and many more.
In winter and early spring Dreamride offers backcountry ski tours in the La Sals and the Abajos!
CLICK HERE TO GO TO SLICKROCK SURFING PAGE!
Note: There are a lot more areas listed on this site very gratifying to advanced riders. Check listings of trails at lower skill levels, especially the slickrock listings. Call if you are interested in a specific trail that is not listed here. We offer them all. Many of the best advanced routes are in areas that require a bit of fourwheeling to get to. Also, every one of the trails listed above has alternate routes rarely used by mountain bikers. Only Dreamride will share these areas with you in relative safety, no matter what the competition says. No one has spent the time consistently scouting mountain bike areas that we have. As an advanced rider all options are open to you! Call if you have a mountain bike fantasy you want to fulfill.
"There are trail guides; and then there's the real deal." ~ Bike Magazine
"Mountain Bike America's Moab guide is setting a new standard for guidebooks. Lee Bridgers' first-hand accounts give the reader a sense that they have some behind-the-scenes information about Moab." ~ Brian Fiske, Senior Editor of Mountain Bike Magazine
Lee Bridgers' Moab guidebook is now available in bookstores around the world. Get a signed copy: CONTACT DREAMRIDE.
Call 435-259-6419.
FAX number is 435-259-8196.
or write to:
Dreamride
P.O. Box 1137
Moab, UT 84532
