The Pictorial Essay on Utah Mountain Bike Trails

Pictured (top to bottom): 1. LONG'S CANYON TRAIL, Moab, Utah
2. VELVET RIDGE TRAIL, Torrey, Utah
3. Dinosaur print on KLONDIKE BLUFFS TRAIL, Moab, Utah
4. PRITCHETT CANYON TRAIL, Moab, Utah
5. The Famed SLICKROCK TRAIL, Moab, Utah
6. "Washerwoman Arch" on the WHITE RIM TRAIL, Canyonlands Nat. Pk., Moab, Utah
7. Petroglyphs in 9 MILE CANYON, Wellington, Utah
8. "Behind the Rocks" area and La Sal Mts. at the start of PRITCHETT CANYON TRAIL, Moab, Utah
9. HIDDEN CANYON TRAIL, Moab, Utah

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"Nine Mile Canyon" Overview

Nine Mile Canyon, Wellington, Utah: 1)Difficulty and mileage; The ride is easy, but starting from Hwy. 6/191 it's 50 miles each way. 2) Best web sites; www.byways.com-click on the state of Utah on the U.S.A. map-near the bottom of the next page click on "Nine Mile Canyon Backway"-next page has lots of good stuff on the left side bar. There is a small map. www.climb-utah.com has good mile by mile descriptives at http://climb-utah.com/Misc/ninemile.html. 3) Maps; There is a nice point-to-point map at "A Self Guided Tour Map of Nine Mile Canyon". Next click the link for www.utahoutdoors.com/nine-mile-canyon/self-guided-tour.html. 4) Jurisdiction; BLM

No it's not a nine mile canyon. That would be the name only. From near Wellington (on the main highway) you can go about 50 miles down the canyon road before hitting private property. This petroglyph heaven is most often described as an auto tour. That's bleep bleep. It's a great bike ride, maybe a nice 2 dayer. If you like Indian rock-art, don't miss it. I might recommend shuttling bicycles to Minnie Maude Creek, which is 21 miles from Route 6/191. Then you will be into the petroglyphs in about 3 1/2 miles. Also, the ride is then shortened to about 30 miles each way. That's still too much for one day (for me) , especially with all of the sights to see.
I haven't been there lately, but I hear there's a lot of drilling rigs.
This baby goes all the way to the Green River, a beauty in itself, but you can't get there without owners' permission.


HONORABLE MENTION BIKE TRAILS IN UTAH:
Velvet Ridge, Torrey
Long Canyon, Moab

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"White Rim" Overview

White Rim Trail, Moab, Utah: 1) Difficulty and mileage; This is not particularly technical, but it's 100 miles. Don't just bring your lunch. 2) Best web site; Same info as "Klondike Bluffs". 3) Maps; When you get to the White Rim description, there is a link: "for a condensed information sheet on this trail, click here." Do it. NPS of course provides additional maps at Canyonlands National Park visitor center. Trails Illustrated blah blah (see "Klondike Bluffs" blog). 4) Jurisdiction; National Park Service.

Where do I start? Well, it's a multi-day trip obviously. If you like "Canyon Country" your eyes will never get over this trail. You may encounter vehicle traffic as it's a popular 4X4 and backcountry camping area. Not a problem in my opinion. When we camped at "Candlestick" we saw an awesome lightning show. Hope you will get that lucky. Be sure to RESERVE CAMPING SITES with the National Park Service! I like to come up the Potash Trail and through Shafer Canyon to access this trail. Canyonlands National Park is too much eye candy. This whole beautiful scene was under water at one time, and the wind and water erosion forces have carved it up into what is here now. The rock is "soft" , is why, but it won't seem soft if you fall off of the bike. If you have the energy, Upheaval Canyon/Dome is a good hike near the end of your ride (if you started at the Shafer Trail or northeast end).

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"Pritchett Canyon" Overview

Pritchett Canyon Trail, Moab, Utah: 1) Difficulty and mileage; Moderate to difficult. 22 miles (with vehicle shuttle), 36 mile (loop) option, including 14 miles of pavement. 2) Best web site; Same info as "Klondike Bluffs". 3) Maps; Same info as K.B. 4) Jurisdiction; BLM, last bit private-$1 EXIT FEE.

There are so many great trails in the Moab area, so you can't go wrong. I just had to pick my favorite favorites. This mostly downhill tumble, I just love it. Even riding in rain and paying a dollar to get out of jail (they're very serious about that) didn't bum me. The trail starts at the "Behind the Rocks" area, which is incredible. Oh, forget it, this whole ride is incredible. Tough for beginners. It can be ridden as a loop instead of a shuttled ride. But it's a load even if there's a lot of pavement.

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"Hidden Canyon (Rim)" Overview

Hidden Canyon Trail, Moab, Utah: 1) Difficulty and mileage; Easy to moderate to canyon, canyon "gymnasium" (don't overestimate your abilities here!) is rated difficult. 7.5 miles (loop) + whatever you want. 2) Best web site; Same info as "Klondike Bluffs", but of course click Hidden Canyon. 3) Maps; Same info as K.B.
3) Jurisdiction; BLM.

This is a short trail, per se. However, at the end of the trail is a great sandstone "gymnasium" at Hidden Canyon. You can spend hours and hours there practicing your uneven sandstone riding (when dry). What's great about it is you can tailor your gymnastics to your ability. Stay away when wet. Don't worry, this area gets little precipitation.

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"Klondike Bluffs" Overview

Klondike Bluffs Trail, Moab, Utah: 1) Difficulty and mileage; Easy to moderate. 4.8 miles (riding) each way plus 1/2 mile (hiking) each way. 2) Best web site; www.utahmountainbiking.com-click Trails-click Moab Area-click Klondike Bluffs. Page includes small map. Point to point mileages must be calculated. 3) Maps; When you get to the Klondike Bluffs description there is a link: "for a one-page printable riding guide for this trail, click here." Do it. Trails Illustrated also puts out a nice waterproof/tear proof map with many Moab area mountain bike routes on it. It is map #501. I found it available at mapoutfitter.com & everestgear.com. The multi-agency office in Moab may have it also. 4) Jurisdiction; Bureau of Land Management, last 1/2 mile National Park Service.

This is a great trail, easy enough for beginners, scenic enough for all. Actual dinosaur tracks are an attraction. Awesome scenics, especially the final part. Bring your bike lock if you want to, although there's not really a bike theft problem here. Most people out here have one already. At any rate don't miss the last 1/2 mile hike.

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Reviews of Great Utah Trails, Biking

To be forthcoming, these short bicycle trail reviews are in the Great Basin Desert (in the vast Colorado River drainage system) of Utah. Four of the trails, no surprise, are near the mountain biking Mecca of Moab, home of the famous Slickrock Trail. Speaking of which, slickrock sandstone is very dangerous when wet. Riding in the Moab, Utah area is best done during dry weather, which is most of the time. The fifth trail is about 100 miles northwest of Moab, closer to Price, Utah. Anyway, I love these trails. Included with brief reviews are: 1) general difficulty and mileage. 2) the best, easiest web sites available (that I could find) to read about trails & navigation. 3) Very preliminary map sites (if available & on different site). In most cases you must figure point-to-point mileages. Availability is generally for primitive map and total mileages only. These free maps are not reliable but are for familiarization only. 4) The governmental agency holding jurisdiction at the trail site. This is the agency to contact for good detailed maps.
Note: There are many trail books available, some good, some bad, some dangerous (incomplete or misleading), none perfect. Using a combination of authoritative sources is the best idea.
Web sites listed herein were accessed through Google searches.
WARNING: Desert rides & recreation require 1 GALLON OF WATER, PER PERSON, PER DAY, MINIMUM. WHEN YOUR WATER IS HALF GONE YOUR RIDE SHOULD BE HALF DONE!

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