Moab suggestions?

[Sombeech]

hey, I'm looking for some quick suggestions on trails to ride. One of these times I'd like to hit Porcupine rim, depending on time available.

I'm looking for the singletrack like sovereign, mixed with a little slickrock.

This is for bogleyfest this weekend.

[johnnyspoke]

Less technical than sovereign, but the new trails out at Deadhorse are singletrack with some rock riding. Fantastic views too. Go CCW along the rim, when you start to close the loop I would just turn around and hit the rim trail in reverse...better riding and better views. I think the State park fee is 10 bucks...try to load everyone in one car.

Baby steps is kind of like Sovereign too, it's basically an alternate route to Klondike Bluffs. Some singletrack, some slickrock. Maybe a little less tech than Sovereign but more than Dead Horse.

Both of these would probably be a quicker ride than Sovereign.

[neilether]

I would highly recommend doing the section on the Whole Enchilada from Warner campground, down to the top of the "proper" Porcupine rim trail. From there just ride down the 3 mile climb that you usually would have to go up to get to the rim. That is basically all awesome singletrack that is second to none in my opinion. The section is by far my favorite part of the ride.

There's also Fruita if you have time as it's just a little more than an hour from Moab. There is some great singletrack out there.


Amazing singeltrack on Zippity-Do-Dah (Fruita)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Fruita%2008/CIMG0334.jpg

Singletrack on Horsethief Bench (Fruita)
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Fruita%2008/CIMG0313.jpg

[johnnyspoke]

I would highly recommend doing the section on the Whole Enchilada from Warner campground, down to the top of the "proper" Porcupine rim trail. From there just ride down the 3 mile climb that you usually would have to go up to get to the rim. That is basically all awesome singletrack that is second to none in my opinion. The section is by far my favorite part of the ride.

There's also Fruita if you have time as it's just a little more than an hour from Moab. There is some great singletrack out there.

X2 on the recommendation for Fruita. Most excellent singltrack. Good stuff at Rabbit Valley too, if you know where to look.

I hear Moab got some snow a week ago, so I'm not sure the higher elevation stuff like Enchilada would be open. If so, another ok option would be Fisher Mesa singletrack. Bit of a drive though, and the other suggestions are better, in my opinion.

Great pics Neil!

[Sombeech]

How far away from Moab is Fruita again? Maybe we could drive there friday and hit a trail.

[neilether]

How far away from Moab is Fruita again?

Hmmm, Google maps has it at just under 2 hours. I thought it was less than that......I guess it depends on how fast you drive.

[johnnyspoke]

Seems about right, but I always take the river road (128?) because it's a scenic drive.

The Kokopelli loops (horsethief bench, Mary's, rustlers, etc.) is a little closer, it's off the Loma exit so maybe take 10 minutes off the time to Fruita? The 18 road stuff, Joe's Ridge, Zippety, Kessels will take a little longer, it's a few miles north of town.

[Sombeech]

OK cool. If I do make it to Fruita, I'll probably have time for a 3-4 hour trail. We'll have 1 vehicle so a shuttle won't work.

I'm looking for a trail with some great singletrack like pictured above, and also some scenic, possibly cliffside riding. What's a good trail that fits that description?

[johnnyspoke]

OK cool. If I do make it to Fruita, I'll probably have time for a 3-4 hour trail. We'll have 1 vehicle so a shuttle won't work.

I'm looking for a trail with some great singletrack like pictured above, and also some scenic, possibly cliffside riding. What's a good trail that fits that description?

Here's what I would do. Get off at the Loma exit and drive over the ridge to Rustler's trail head. Ride Rustler's and then go back up the road about 100 yards to Mary's and ride that out to Horsethief. After Horsethief, continue on Mary's to Steve's/Handcuff's. After that, return on Mary's the way you came to your vehicle. Cliffside cruising, at times with exposure and great views constantly. Go here for maps and directions: http://www.gjmountainbiking.com/koko.html

As described plan on about 20 miles of riding. Trim if you have to but don't skip Horsethief.

Typically Mary's is ridden as a loop taking the dirt road back to the main kokopelli trailhead, but I know you're not driving 5 hours to pedal a dirt road :2thumbs:

[TreeHugger]

There's been a lot of new singletrack trails built in the last couple of years, I dont know the names of all of them, but I'd recommend calling one of the bike shops for some "different" ideas.

It took us about 2 hours to get to Moab from Fruita this fall.

[Sombeech]

Great suggestions, thanks. I'd like to head over there, now I'll just convince Mark.

[REDFOX]

You should ride Amassa back and maybe poison spider just to see the arch. Stay away from Porcupine and the Portal unless your group consist of advanced riders. We always ride out at Bartlett wash. There is endless exploring on the slickrock.

[greyhair biker]

I'd plan on the full day if you decide to head to Fruita and back from Moab for 4 - 5 hours of riding. Another one people tend to overlook is GoldBar from the Gemini Bridges side. Head up the road to Gemini and look for the left turnoff for GoldBar Rim Trail just AFTER the turn off (the visible hill climb) to Gemini. You will need a map. I'd just stop at the information center in the middle of town on Main and get a trailguide AND a good topo map. GoldBar meanders its way up to the rim where you can hook up with Poison Spider or the Portal Trail...neither of which you have to ride...GoldBar is enough of a climb for anyone and FUN to bomb down back to you vehicle.

[IntrepidXJ]

So you guys are going to come to Moab Bogleyfest, just to head over to Fruita/Loma :ne_nau:

:haha: :roflol:

[Scott P]

How far away from Moab is Fruita again?

Going the speed limit, it is 80 minutes. I don't speed and that's how long it usually takes me (I used to live in Fruita).

[Sombeech]

So you guys are going to come to Moab Bogleyfest, just to head over to Fruita/Loma :ne_nau:

:haha: :roflol:

Nah, we're not going to have the time. I think if we're going to hit Fruita, we'd just drive straight there and spend the weekend.

Hey, isn't there a shuttle service for Porcupine Rim?

[Sombeech]

You should ride Amassa back and maybe poison spider just to see the arch. Stay away from Porcupine and the Portal unless your group consist of advanced riders. We always ride out at Bartlett wash. There is endless exploring on the slickrock.

It looks like it might just be Mark and I, so we'll try to hit Porc Rim unless others join.

I might even borrow one of Mark's bikes to hit some of these drops. :2thumbs:

How long would you say it takes to ride Porcupine Rim, including the shuttle?

[IntrepidXJ]

So you guys are going to come to Moab Bogleyfest, just to head over to Fruita/Loma :ne_nau:

:haha: :roflol:

Nah, we're not going to have the time. I think if we're going to hit Fruita, we'd just drive straight there and spend the weekendf
Hey, isn't there a shuttle service for Porcupine Rim?

Fruita Bogleyfest 2010? :cool2:

[Sombeech]

Fruita Bogleyfest 2010? :cool2:

I like where you're going with this....

[devo_stevo]

How long would you say it takes to ride Porcupine Rim, including the shuttle?
Aren't your legs the shuttle? :haha:

Seriously though, It's probably 2.5-4 hours if you ride from the (old) trailhead at the bathrooms to the road and leave your car at the turnout where the singletrack ends. Could be longer if you spend any time messing around.

[neilether]

How long would you say it takes to ride Porcupine Rim, including the shuttle?
Aren't your legs the shuttle? :haha:

Seriously though, It's probably 2.5-4 hours if you ride from the (old) trailhead at the bathrooms to the road and leave your car at the turnout where the singletrack ends. Could be longer if you spend any time messing around.

I highly recommend not starting at the "old" trailhead. Talk to one of the shuttle services and see how far up the trail you can get. I have had good luck with these guys:

http://www.acmeshuttle.com/

they will pick you up at the Negro Bill Parking Lot if you arrange it in advance. Anyway, by taking the shuttle you will eliminate virtually all climbing from the ride, and as I mentioned earlier, the stuff above the old trailhead is the best anyways. My opinion of course.

[devo_stevo]

I'm going to have to go down there and ride the new trails up there. It has been about 6 or 7 years since I rode Porc. I love that ride and I am suddenly starting to feel a bit pathetic. I guess that's what happens when you get married and have kids. I wouldn't trade them for the world, but it sure does cut down on the weekend trips to Moab.

[Sombeech]

I highly recommend not starting at the "old" trailhead. Talk to one of the shuttle services and see how far up the trail you can get. I have had good luck with these guys:

http://www.acmeshuttle.com/

they will pick you up at the Negro Bill Parking Lot if you arrange it in advance. Anyway, by taking the shuttle you will eliminate virtually all climbing from the ride, and as I mentioned earlier, the stuff above the old trailhead is the best anyways. My opinion of course.

The more I think of it, the shuttle is the way to go. We're meeting everybody anyways right there by the river at 8:00. Maybe I should see if they've got a 9:00 shuttle meeting at the bottom, just up river. The bottom of Porcupine Rim is in Negro Bill Canyon

Thanks for the link.

[neilether]

The more I think of it, the shuttle is the way to go.

I wholeheartedly agree with you on this. The shuttle will cost you 15-20/each depending on how far up you go, but this will save you 2 hours of driving on the back end of the ride. Well worth it in my opinion, especially if you have other things to do that day. Talk to Kyle (at Acme) and he should be able to arrange just about anything you need, depending on his workload for the day.......

If possible, have him drop you off at Warner Campground. That would mean a short climb and the bomb down the Hazard County Section (beautiful singletrack with some jumps), then the Kokopelli Double Track, then the UPS section. Don't miss the right turn off of the double track to access the UPS singletrack. I thought it was obvious, but my buddy missed the turn a few weeks ago and ended up riding 5-6 miles of boring doubletrack instead of the best part of the trail. There are signs, so keep your eyes open a hundred yards or so after you cross a raised cattle guard on the doubletrack. The UPS section morphs almost imperceptibly into the LPS section, which will in turn dump you right at the main Porcupine Rim overlook. From there it's a mix of doubletrack and singletrack all the way down to the Colorado River. I'm very jealous that I won't be down there.

This is where the Hazard Trail ends, and you cross the highway and get onto the Kokopelli doubletrack
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Moab%204-08/KokopelliTrailhead.jpg

Overlook on the UPS trail
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/IMG_5140.jpg

Another UPS overlook
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Moab%20Oct%2007/BizoverhangonUPS2-1.jpg

Typical Trail section on LPS
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Moab%204-08/DSCN7299.jpg

The "Notch" on LPS. Hike-A-Bike for most mortals......
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Moab%204-08/DSCN7301.jpg

A different perspective on The Notch
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Moab%204-08/ZobeMoyesinthechute.jpg

A quick stop at the main Porcupine Trail overlook
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Moab%20Oct%2007/BizMikeJaredonUPS-1.jpg

Porcupine Rim Trail
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/neilether/Moab%204-08/DSCN7312.jpg

[Sombeech]

If possible, have him drop you off at Warner Campground. That would mean a short climb and the bomb down the Hazard County Section (beautiful singletrack with some jumps), then the Kokopelli Double Track, then the UPS section. Don't miss the right turn off of the double track to access the UPS singletrack. I thought it was obvious, but my buddy missed the turn a few weeks ago and ended up riding 5-6 miles of boring doubletrack instead of the best part of the trail. There are signs, so keep your eyes open a hundred yards or so after you cross a raised cattle guard on the doubletrack. The UPS section morphs almost imperceptibly into the LPS section, which will in turn dump you right at the main Porcupine Rim overlook. From there it's a mix of doubletrack and singletrack all the way down to the Colorado River.

OK, so just to confirm, the Kokopelli and Hazard are both part of the Porcupine Rim trail?

[devo_stevo]

Hazard County is the trail from the Warner Lake campground in the LaSal mountains down to the la sal mountain loop road. From there you would get on the Kokopelli trail (there are signs) and head west. Then you would look for the singletrack as Neil described.

I haven't been on it before, but I have been to Warner Lake. It's beautiful up there but if it has snowed, you won't be able to get there and would have to start at the Kokopelli trail and skip Hazard.

Hazard...http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/hazard.htm

Prcupine Singletrack (UPS)...http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/porcupST.htm

Porcupine Rim...http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/porcup.htm

Good luck and have fun.

[neilether]

Nope, they are part of The Whole Enchilada Trail system. It goes a little something like this:

1. Burro Pass - trail starts at 10,500 feet, climbs brutally to 11,200'. Most likely not rideable due to snow/mud at high elevations. Burro Pass connects to Warner Campground which connects to....

2. Hazzard County - initial short climb (not too bad) then lovely singletrack with some minor technical stuff and some optional stunt opportunites (gap jumps, etc.). This connnects to......

3. Kokopelli Trail - doubletrack for a while and then you cross an elevated cattle guard. Just beyond that there is a singletrack spur (signed) to the right which is the......

4. UPS Trail - awesome singletrack, some cliff side riding (no scary exposure) and lots of doable technical section combied with flowy sections. Connects to.....

5. LPS Trail - almost identical to the UPS. Once you reach the "notch" you walk down that and then climb up the other side and then you are back onto the.......

6. Porcupine Rim Trail - the LPS trail dumps you right at the main viewpoint (bypassing the nasty 3 miles climb from the Trailhead of Porcupine "proper".

That is kind of the Cliff's notes version. Here are more details:

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/enchilada.htm

I can also provide a GPS file if any of your group rides with a GPS. For strong intermediate level riders, that don't need to stop and chat for 20 minutes at every bend in teh road, if you started at Warner Campground the ride would take somewhere between 2.5-4 hours. Take lots of water and calories. The constant jackhammer takes more out of you than many people realize.

[Sombeech]

Bump, gotta add Pipe Dream to the list
http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68144-Pipe-Dream-Trail-in-Moab&prefixid=Trip_Report

[rich67]

Last time I hit Moab, I was pretty much looking for the same kind of riding you are. I was shuttle-less, so I opted for Amasa Back (don't let the initial climb get you panicked. The descent is a blast) and Slickrock. The view from Amasa Back is awesome, and there is a mile pucker factor on Cliffhanger (part of Amasa Back), but the trail is wide enough to keep your palms dry. Slickrock is just a must do if you haven't hit it yet. Next time I head out there I plan on shuttling to Burro and doing the Whole Enchilada. That ride just looks amazing.