Trail Happenings October 2010

Moab’s Bike Trails - New Additions and Old Favorites
by Tracy Reed

October brings the beautiful colors of fall, cooler days, and crisp desert nights. Fall is by far my most favorite time year. Moab is the destination for mountain bikers who come to conquer the Slick Rock Bike Trail and the infamous Porcupine Rim Trail, and with many new trails there are now even more reasons to make the trip to this desert oasis. If you haven’t taken the time to visit Moab in the fall then maybe this is the year for you to do so.

Over the past few years, cooperation among local land agencies and local trail groups such as the Grand County Trail Mix Committee, Moab Trails Alliance, and Ride With Respect have produced some exciting developments on the ground and on the horizon.

READY TO RIDE
• The Intrepid Trails at Dead Horse Point State Park include nine miles of mountain bike singletrack trails that are fast and flowy, and with some techy sections, have views to die for (please don’t!). Admission to the park is $10 per vehicle and is money well spent.

• The Sovereign Trail System has had extensive work done by the local group Ride With Respect. With the addition of additional loops and connectors, one can spend 4 or more hours exploring the area by mountain bike. One of the future options coming to the Sovereign Trail network is a singletrack connector trail to Klondike Bluffs Road via the Garden Mesa loop.

• Amasa Back, Pothole Arch, Rock Stacker, and the Jackson Trails offer the advanced level rider some of the most amazing views in the Moab area as well as sections of trail that will challenge any expert rider.
• The Whole Enchilada trail network has fast become one of the best trails in the United States. Cyclists from all over the U.S. and the world come to Moab to experience 7000 feet of descent across 28 miles of trail through 4 distinct ecosystems. If you are a rider who seeks the epic ride, then this is the one for you. This trail starts high in the La Sal Mountains and finishes with descent on the Porcupine Rim Trail.

• Jedi Trail, adjacent to Bartlett Slickrock Trail, offers riders an additional slickrock playground area.

• Road Bikers,and everyone rejoice! The old highway, Moab Canyon Trail (paralleling Hwy 191), has been paved from the Pedestrian Bridge to Hwy. 313!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
• The Pipe Dream Trail, on the west side of Moab above the power lines, is currently under construction although some segments are ready for riding. From the north, access is at Aspen St. off of Doc Allen Drive and access the middle portion via Jackson Street with 4th East going up the hill. Let’s call the route “fun & technical” for bikers, “great for hikers”. It will eventually conclude at the Hidden Valley Trailhead south of Moab.

• Moab Brands Trails (Bar M, Circle O, Rockin A, Bar B)– Permission has been received to expand this trail network to include 3 more loops, and 2 more connectors (12 miles of singletrack). Construction has started and the new “Lazy” segment of the Lazy EZ Trail is ready to ride, although the soils need to settle in over the winter.

PROPOSED TRAILS
• Magnificent 7 (Mag 7), is a trail system proposal to the BLM by Trail Mix which includes many miles of singletrack located near Gemini Bridges road and the Gold Bar Rim Trail. The potential approval and implementation of this trail network is ongoing, so stay tuned – I am keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

• An expansion within the Klondike Bluffs Mountain Bike Focus Area has been proposed by Trail Mix to the Bureau of Land Management for an additional 10 miles of new singletrack. These proposed trails would greatly expand the options within the Klondike Bluffs System adjacent to the Baby Steps Trail.

Moab offers a rider a unique experience unlike most places in the world. Come see for yourself what this red rock desert has to offer.

About the Author: Tracy Reed – is co-owner of Chile Pepper Bike Shop with her husband Ryon Reed. Tracy has been a member of the Moab cycling community for the past 11 years, is a founder of the Moab Ho-Down MTB Festival and is involved in local trail advocacy, including membership in Trail Mix.