If you're into off roading-whether it be ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, mountain bikes or jeeps-just about anything with wheels-you know Moab, UT.
There's a reason for this unprecedented popularity. Moab offers just about everything an off-roader wants. The riding can be as tough as you want-or can handle-or as easy as you need it to be. There are a variety of surfaces from slickrock to sandy dirt to just plain ol' dirt to sand to rocks and even bigger rocks. Oh yea, and crevices-big ones. There are short trails that take hours to navigate and long trails that you can blast down in minutes.
Then there's the scenery. It's really unlike anything you'll see anywhere else. The views from just about everywhere and anywhere are amazing from the arches to the natural bridges to the mesas to the mountains to the spires to the river. The red rocks are a brilliant contrast to other earth tones that are all framed by a bluebird sky.
Just a warning, though: Moab will spoil you. Once you ride there you might not want to go anywhere else. At the end of the day, you'll be amazed at the experience you just had. Then you'll want to go again the next day.
That's how we felt after two separate trips to Moab this spring and summer. We didn't want to leave and when we did we wanted to go back.
Welcome To Town
What makes the actual town of Moab even more inviting is that off-roaders are welcome. The town is at least partially built on the tourism industry so there are plenty of places to eat, sleep, rent an off-road vehicle and find a guide. That's a nice contrast to some of the place you ride where you're not sure if you're welcome or not.
Our trips to Moab were in April and May, a good time to hit the area. We suggest spring or early summer or fall to hit the trails around Moab. The dead of summer is hot-daytime highs are 95-100 degrees F in July and August. But in April and May and then again in September and October the temps are quite comfortable. And while there is really no rain to speak of during those months, we did experience some rain (and snow on cliffs above town) this spring but we didn't mind it so much because it helped keep the dust down on the trails.
Speaking of trails, expect to share trails with lots of other users, whether it be off-roaders in jeeps, ATVs, side-by-sides or mountain bikers or hikers. Sharing the trails seems to work in Moab. Nobody got really uptight and that was because they understand how to share. Just another bonus about riding in Moab.
While we like to squeeze the throttle and stretch our ATV and side-by-side's legs, we really like Moab for the technical riding. The challenging slickrock and other trail types with their near vertical climbs and descents definitely add an element of difficulty to riding that we enjoy. The stair-step ledges are still another difficult element that challenges man and machine. And your nerve. When we pulled into the parking area to ride the Moab Rim Trail, there was a jeep off to the side that had been "remodeled" by some of the bedrock that makes up the first mile or so of trail. As we ascended the trail, we could see where the jeep rolled as there was still some paint marks on the rocks. That will make you sit up and pay attention. But to us, that's part of the allure of Moab.
Inviting Names
Who doesn't want the challenge of riding on trails named, "Hell's Revenge" or "Metal Masher" or "Steel Bender" or "Tip Toe Through Hell"?
While there are hundreds of miles of trails around Moab, it's important to remember there is no cross-country travel allowed. Stick to the trails.
Among the many trails available for off-roading near Moab, we do have some favorites, which, it turns out, happen to be some of Moab's most popular paths. With our thoughts about these trails, we've included the trail rating (in parentheses) as given by the Red Rock 4 Wheelers Club (www.rr4w.com). For details on what the ratings (from 1 to 10) mean, log on to the club's website.
One more note. To access the Fins `n Things and Hell's Revenge trails, you have to enter the Sand Flats Recreation Area. There is a fee. Check http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab.html or www.discovermoab.com for the most current fees.
Fins And Things (4) If you're new to the Moab off-trail experience, this is a good trail to begin with. Even though it's rated a 4, the trail isn't exceptionally difficult, except for a few tricky spots, mostly steep climbs and descents.
The "Fins" are Najavo Sandstone slickrock that dominate the landscape here. Domes might be a more fitting description of the slickrock but Fins sounds more exciting. In some spots between the Fins (or domes) you'll be riding on sandy dirt.
The trail offers some awesome views of the La Sal Mountains to the east, across the sandstone domes of the Sand Flats Recreation Area. If you ride Moab in April and even May, chances are the La Sals will be snow-capped.
The trail is a little more than 10 miles long and is marked with painted dinosaur (Stegosaurus) symbols.
Hell's Revenge (6) This is one of our favorites, partly because it's exigent, partly because of the magnificent views from various spots along the trail and partly because it offers particularly challenging spots if you want to test man and machine. And it has a cool name.
Hell's Revenge is a mix of steep climbs and descents on slickrock with sand/dirt stretches (where you can open it up a bit) scattered throughout. Some of the climbs and descents are along the edges of the slickrock, which add some excitement (or the pucker factor).
The excitement of Hell's Revenge are those climbs and descents, along with some rock ledges you have to climb and come off of. Then there's the Hell's Gate, the Escalator, the hot tubs and Tip Over Challenge, where you just might see some carnage, or at the very least, see some mettle and metal being tested. There are ways around each of these obstacles but it is fun to watch people try to conquer them.
Hell's Gate is located on a spur off Hell's Revenge. The spur is just about at the farthest point from the trailhead and is well worth the side trip, even if you choose to skip Hell's Gate. There is a lookout point that overlooks the Colorado River below and you can see into Arches National Park. It is an awesome view.
The hot tubs are on the main trail after the turnoff to the Colorado River overlook. The hot tubs are on a stretch of trail between a fairly aggressive climb onto slickrock and descent back down. You navigate across the rock, past the hot tubs and then the descent down to sandy dirt.
Near the beginning and during the last portion of the trail, you can see down into Moab Valley as well as the La Sal Mountains.
Travel on Hell's Revenge is one-way and you exit near Lion's Back (south of the Sand Flats Recreation Area entrance) into a fairly large parking area. The 6.5-mile trail is marked with yellow flame symbols.
Cliff Hanger (6) This is another favorite, mostly because of the challenge of the trail. The challenge comes right after you turn off Kane Creek Road onto the trail. The ledges you descend are your first taste of what the trail is like-difficult, technical and challenging. After that first set of stair-step ledges, including one that is 2-3 feet tall, you drop down to Kane Creek where you cross and head up the hill. Water flow in the creek can be high after rainfall but both times we crossed the creek on our trips to Moab, it was fairly shallow. The trail gains about 1,400 feet from the trailhead as you climb onto Amasa Back.
This out-and-back trail is mostly Kayenta Sandstone with numerous ledges that range from just a few inches tall to several feet. It's almost a must to have someone help spot on certain ledges so that you can find the best route, which might be just a few inches one way or the other. And it is a must that your vehicle has high clearance for this ride or a bullet-proof skidplate-or both.
There are a couple of highlights along this trail for us. First is the ride along the cliff-hence the name Cliff Hanger-where you ride just a few feet from a several hundred-foot drop down into Jackson Hole. The other is at the turnaround point on top of the mesa that overlooks the Colorado River and offers amazing views for miles in all directions. If you're brave enough, you can walk to the edge of the cliff that drops off from the mesa. From the mesa you can look back and see the trail as it snakes along the edge of the cliff above Jackson Hole.
On the way back out you'll be able to see-off to the east-the Behind-the-Rocks fins and La Sal Mountains and, as you get closer to the trailhead, the impressive Kane Creek Canyon.
Though the trailhead to the turnaround point on the mesa is about 4.5 miles; the difficulty of the trail makes it a several-hour trip.
Moab Rim (7) Here's another trail that's not for the faint of heart or for anyone who might not like living-or rather riding-on the edge.
The trailhead is downriver from Moab, on the east side of the Colorado River. If you and your machine can make it through the first mile or so of trail, then you can breathe a sigh of relief once you're on top of the rim. There you can take in the stunning views all along the rim.
That first mile offers several technical challenges, including an off camber angle that slopes toward the edge of the bedrock and down to the road below. This section of trail is all rock with several tight turns and ledges, along with the dreaded Devils Crack. You might find a spotter is necessary during this stretch.
On top, the trail turns to sandy dirt with scattered, broken rock with some sections of slickrock. We rode to several view points along the rim where we could see into Arches National Park, the La Sals, Moab Valley and beautiful red rock formations all across the top of the rim.
At various points along the rim, it's between 5,000-5,200 feet, making you feel like you're towering over the valley below (Moab sits at about 4,000 feet). We also took time to hit a small pocket of deep sand that provided a fun change from the slickrock and dirt riding. Then it was back along the same route that we came in on.
Going down Moab Rim can be just as hair-raising as going up, thanks to the slope that naturally wants to take you to the edge of the cliff. That's what makes it so exciting.
Poison Spider (5) The Poison Spider Trail traverses the Poison Spider Mesa, which sits above a big, sweeping bend of the Colorado River. As you make your way from the trailhead to the top of the mesa, you'll pass through a narrow canyon that is as scenic as it is fun to ride. While the trail isn't as difficult as Cliff Hanger or even parts of Moab Rim, it does have its tough spots, which is why it's earned its No. 5 rating. The tough parts are slickrock with ledges, although much of the slickrock riding is more rough than tough. The most challenging stretch of trail is after you exit the canyon and start to climb the slickrock. There is an area of sand-more than we experienced on any of our other Moab rides-that is kind of fun to play in but we didn't spend much time there.
You start and end on the same stretch of trail but there is a loop section that takes you close to the rim that overlooks the Moab Valley, the Colorado River and, off in the distance, Arches National Park. You also get a nice view of the "portal," which is where the Colorado River splits the rim on its journey southward.
When you come to the loop section, the BLM recommends that you go counterclockwise. One side trip you should make is to what has been named the "Little Arch." If you're paying attention while climbing Moab Rim or driving on the road along the Colorado River after you pass the portal, you've probably seen the Little Arch. You can park fairly close to the Little Arch and get an up close look at it, as well as the river below.
The trail is about 16 miles long.
Steel Bender (6) This trail has about as much variety as you can find in any of the off-road trails offered around Moab. Access to Steel Bender is up past the Moab Golf Course. There is a small parking area where you can unload and get to the trailhead. Right off you drop down into Mill Creek Canyon and cross the creek several times. It's not very deep but it's fun to cross. Not far after you cross the creek that last time you hit a series of rocky ledges that you climb. Aside from this section, much of the trail is dirt, sand and lots of rocks with a few ledges here and there. There really isn't much slickrock on the trail.
There are a handful of challenging spots on Steel Bender but they are fairly spread out, unlike other Moab-area trails where they are close together. One of the challenges on Steel Bender is to be prepared for any obstacles that might be along the trail. Because of the terrain and open stretches of trail, you'll want to open up the throttle but just be aware there might be a rocky section or some small ledges right around the corner or around the next small tree or bush.
The trail travels above the North Fork of Mill Creek as you get farther back in. There are a lot of roads that shoot off the main trail so you have to pay attention or you could really get turned around. The views looking east are dominated by the La Sal Mountains, which provide the perfect backdrop.
Those are just a few of the trails available in the Moab area so we always have something to look forward to when we return. And even though we've ridden the same trails a couple of times, there is always something new that we didn't notice before. It never gets boring.
We can't wait to go back.
(ED-For more photos of Moab log on to www.snowest.com.)
Elevation 4,026 feet
Full Service Town Moab
Nearest Airport Canyonlands (16 miles north of Moab - 1 airline), Grand Junction (114 miles - 5 airlines)
Getting Started Moab Area Travel Council 800-635-6622 or www.discovermoab.com
Getting There Moab is located on U.S. Highway 191, about 27 miles south of Interstate 70 (Exit 182). Highway 191 also is the main access route from the south. Moab is 234 miles south of Salt Lake City and 114 miles west and south of Grand Junction, CO. Moab is located adjacent to Arches National Park.
Getting Around There are about a half-dozen businesses in Moab that rent ATVs/UTVs and a handful that offer guided trips.
Bedding Down Moab is a popular destination for most anyone who loves the outdoors and has built a good portion of its business on tourism so there are a variety of options when it comes to accommodations from camping and RV parks to lodges and motels to condos.
Eating Out There are also several dining options in town. For a list of restaurants, contact the Moab Area Travel Council. A few of the places we really enjoy eating include the Moab Brewery (supper), Moab Diner (breakfast), Jailhouse Café (breakfast) and Zax Restaurant (pizza).
