Adventures in Moab, Utah
Over the last eight years I've gone to Moab, UT multiple times to either mountain bike, climb, hike or backpack. Of all these activities I always have enjoyed mountain biking the most.Riding Moab
Moab provides opportunities for riders of all skill levels, but does cater more toward people who have the ability to ride intermediate to advanced trails.My most recent trip in September 2015 allowed me to continue to push my riding capabilities to new levels. From starting out on trails I know well to stretch my legs after 20+ hours of driving from Wisconsin to dropping down loose gravel and tight switchbacks at 11,000+ feet.
Moab Brand Trails
Moab Brand Trails, Moab UT |
I started off with stretching my legs for a short distance on the Bar M Trail (rated easy) out to the Rockin' A (intermediate) back to the Bar M to catch the North 40, a fun single track trail. Finishing this off I was ready to head back to camp and relax. I knew the next five days would include a lot of riding.
Amasa Back / Hamasa
Hamasa via Amasa Back, Moab, UT |
Amasa Back Jeep Trail Overlook, Moab |
Klondike Bluffs Area
Klondike Bluffs, Alaska/Mega Steps. Overlooking Arches National Park. |
Today I rode 18 miles getting ready to do the Whole Enchilada the next day. It was a good way to make sure the legs were stretched out and continue getting used to being at a higher altitude.
Whole Enchilada
Whole Enchilada |
Riding up we left the red rock that surrounds Moab and headed up into the La Sal Mountains to get dropped off at roughly 10,500 ft. Getting dropped off the adventure began. 31 miles of trail and 7,000 ft of decline ahead. But first we had to climb Burro Pass to 11,200 ft.
Burro Pass, Whole Enchilada |
And then it all changed... I hit a rock with the side of my tire and put a big gash in the tire. All I could hear was air coming out of my tire and felt my happiness with my ride disintegrate. I put in a tube and found that it wasn't holding air, ugh. After a while of messing around with that, my riding partner for the day and I had fallen pretty far behind the group of people we started with. With the outlook not good for me with no tubes and a tire that had a cut too large for the Stan's Sealant to fix, I had to bail. I hiked the bike to Warner Campground and started walking down the road. Thankfully a great couple rode by with their truck and drove me and my bike the 30 miles back to Moab and Chile Pepper bike shop where I was able to get a new tire put on the bike. A frustrating end to my day, but this is not the last time I will do this ride. Next year I'll start at the Hazard County line and finish off the Whole Enchilada. Never give up.
Dead Horse Point State Park
View from Dead Horse Point State Park, Moab, UT |
Driving up the temperatures started to drop and were comfortable when I got there. The sun was starting to sink as I took off to ride some of the trails. As I was riding I realized that I was across from where I rode on day 2 - the Amasa Back trails. The view was just as good from here as it was on the Amasa Back overlook. As the sun set I continued to ride and got back to my car just in time where I didn't need headlights on my bike. What a great way to end the day.
Navajo Rocks
Navajo Rocks, Moab, UT |
I stopped and talked to a group of four riders, some of them on fat bikes, each of them with a unique story. Two guys from the UK had just completed riding the Great Divide from Canada south. The other two were a couple who were moving from New Zealand to Australia via fat bikes. They were taking their fat bikes around the long way across continents to get to Australia. Their story was amazing. I felt fortunate to meet these people and hear their stories. It was a great way to end my adventure and my journey.
Amazing Moab
Moab always amazes me. From the surroundings to the people I meet. I think it's one of the reasons I continue to return to this place. For eight years I've been visiting Moab and this is not my last trip. Mountain biking, climbing and hiking - I will visit again. It's a place to be appreciated. A place to build great memories. A place to just be...To end this post I'll quote Edward Abbey from Desert Solitaire because it's fitting. Desert Solitaire is written about this area of Utah and Arches National Park. And this sums it up pretty well.
"A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles." Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire