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Jordansrealm

So, I am heading to Moab the week before Easter (March 23) this year for the Easter Jeep Safari as per usual. This year, I am bringing my bike damnit! My new boss actually rides so we are both going to take atleast one day and ride. I should be there for 6 days and have one day to ride but I am going to try and squeeze in 2 if possible. Prob leave the SS at home and opt for the FS.

So, what I am wondering from my STR friends that have been on the trails in Moab, what are the best trails to ride if you have 1 day to ride? Best to get a guide for a day or can two people who havent been on the trails there figure it out?

(KBL - since you are going out for work too you need to hookup with Jerrod and I to ride. So heal up that foot!)

I have a few years experience on most of the Jeep trails and I know some of those are the same ones people MTB but I know of MTB specific ones (Porcupine) that I know nothing about. Been doing online research but hearing from people who have been there is always best.

Trying to plan it all out now so I know what to expect when I get there. Thanks!

Jordan

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ShinKen

slick rock rules dood!!!

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sdyeti

Take the shuttle to the Hazard County trailhead!!!! Then ride all the way down Porc Rim and back to town...schweeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttttt!!

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allison

I haven't ridden a ton out there due to one of their wettest October's in history (2006).

But, I'd say from what I did ride, if I only had 1 day... I'd hit up Porc Rim again.

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Jordansrealm

How far is that and whats it like? I am also trying to get a general idea of the terrain and level so I know what to say depending on who all shows up to ride with us. We may have riders of various levels.

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2wheel_lee

I rode the Slickrock Trail last year, and it's easy to follow (providing you can see the white marks painted on the ground). I full suspension gearie would be the most fun, but any bike is fine. I rode an 8" travel Intense VPX, while my girlfriend rode my 4X bike (for her third mtb ride). She was able to ride most of the stuff, but she easily walked the rest. And I still had a lot of fun on a big bike, hitting many of the drops and jumps that run adjacent to the trail. I'd say this trail is good for most skill levels. There is a 1.2 mile practice loop at the beginning so beginners can find out what they're in for. I think the whole trail with practice loop is about 13-14 miles, and you can run it both directions.

The trail is easy to find, and is close to many Jeep trails (in fact, you'll see many offroaders in the immediate area, but not sharing the same trail).

sdyeti

From Hazzard County trail back to Poison Spider bike shop was 27 miles. Almost all downhill but not in a downhill race sort of way.

Lots of technical single track on Hazzard County but some is just smooth trail. Intermediate or above riders should be fine. On Porc Rim there were a few drops I didn't hit but it's easy to walk around stuff or find an easier line to take.

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ODB

Porc Rim shuttle in the morning, Amasa Back in the afternoon.

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Spec-ED

That is a great suggestion... I may have to try that when I head there this year.

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OMR

Porc Rim in morning (take suspension... the more the better!) and Slickrock/practice loop out to Shrimp Rock in late afternoon... great night riding place as well.... then be sure and hit the GreenValley Loop (Bearclaw/Poppy) in St George on the way home. It's a nice break and will take you 1-2 hours to do the trail... think gigantic BMX trail with jumps ... serious fun!

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PacMan

I personally hated the Slickrock trail. Amasa Back is close and a ton of fun. Sovereign is a newer trail and super fun as well.

However, if I had just one day to ride, I would spend that day on Porcupine Rim. Arrange to have a shuttle service drop you off at the Lower Porc Rim Singletrack (LPS). It's actually above Porcupine Rim so don't let the name confuse you. What follows is a 4,000'+ descent over 15 miles and is a legendary trail for a reason. You WILL NOT be disappointed.

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OMR

Dissregard what Doug said about Slickrock ... it's all those drugs working their way out of his system...

Actually, he's right, some people don't like Slickrock as it's unlike anything you've done before. They have a small practice loop you can do before making a commitment to do a longer route. Try that first.. it takes about 20 - 30 minutes to do that. You difinitely want to try it... I just can't imagine going to Moab without doing slickrock.

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Vickie

There are soooo many great trails to ride in Moab!! My top picks....

Slickrock is OF COURSE a must.
Poison Spider Mesa is good one, espeically if you make it a loop and descent the Portal Trail. Watch yourself thou, it's a very, very steep and TECHNCIAL single track...even locals have had difficults! Fatalities!!

Kane Creek/Jackson Hole/Amasa Back - One of the longer routes - and a "trying" route!! We parked off road, but you can start at the trail head to Amasa Back. Ride out Kane Creek Road and over Hurrah Pass....down to Jackson Hole which is, or was when I did it years ago a sandy river bed....then climb UP Jacobs Ladder to the top of Amasa Back (it's a HIKE a BIKE up rocks along a huge pipe of some sort - then descent Amasa Back.

Be safe and ENJOY!!!

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tmarkos

Porcupine rim for sure. Even if it's too punk for you as you can always walk the bad parts. The most beautiful and fun decent you will experience.
Slick rock if you're short for time.
Sorry - don't care for poison sprider at all. Lot's of sand and not enough single track.

Vickie

I couldn't either!! and Yeah, I would ride the "practice" route first.

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allison

Ehh... slick rock is a must-do if you have TIME. If you don't, save it for something else. I was worked after riding slickrock. It's a good amount of climbing in like 10-12 miles. You go straight up, straight down, straight up, straight down. It's not an easy trail.

If you're going for a week, sure, you've got to do it. But, cancel a few days in Moab and hit up Fruita.

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stjunkie

I'd have to agrre with most people. If you haven't ridden there Slickrock trail and Porc shuttle.

emfc

Porc and Slick. One in the morning one on the afternoon. There is a reason these are the most popular trails out there. I loved Slick rock, it's like a playground.

AlphaMog

I rode Moab for the first time last year and it was a great trip, some of the most amazing scenery i have ever seen. We did the slick rock trails the first 2 days and porc the last day. If i had to do it all over again I would probably do 2 days of Porc rim or other free ride type trails (i hear there are a bunch out there) and then do just one of slick rock trail. We went in early March and there was still plenty of snow on porc rim so most of the beginning part was a hike a bike pushing through snow but the descent was amazing.

Something you might want to keep in mind about porc rim... we started a little late and it took us forever to go up and down and by the time we got back to the car and waiting for the drivers to come back with the cars it was f'n freezing. It was so cold that I called out for big spoon with one of my homies to stay warm. So if you want to avoid the brokeback moments... leave early and have blankets or warm clothing for the guys who have to wait for the shuttle cars to come back.

PacMan

Wrong Doug.

I've been drug free for the last 32 years of my life.

Or you can ride the 6 miles back to town. I'm always worked after that ride and can't imagine riding a second time in the afternoon. Of course, my bike weighs 41 lbs.

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