Epic rides around Utah
Moab, Utah is a mountain biking mecca, with hundreds of miles of trails for all skill levels. The area is known for its stunning desert landscapes, which provide a unique backdrop for mountain biking. The trails are also known for their challenging terrain, with steep climbs and descents, technical rock sections, and large drops. Moab is a must-visit destination for mountain bikers looking for a challenging ride.
Here are my top 5 favorite advanced trails in Utah.
The Whole Enchilada Trail in Moab, Utah is an internationally renowned mountain biking trail known for its challenging terrain, stunning scenery, and diverse riding experience. It is considered one of the premier mountain biking trails in the United States.
The Whole Enchilada Trail is an extensive trail system that combines several individual trails, including Burro Pass, Hazard County, Kokopelli, Porcupine Rim, and Porcupine Singletrack. It offers riders a thrilling and varied experience as they navigate through a range of landscapes, from high alpine terrain to slickrock sections and desert canyons.
The Whole Enchilada Trail is a demanding ride that requires advanced mountain biking skills and fitness. Most riders take the shuttle to the top of the La Sal mountains for a descent of about 8600 vertical feet, but that is not without a price as you will need to climb about 2k vertical feet. This ride covers about 32 miles in total (back to the city).
It is essential to come prepared with appropriate gear, including a well-maintained mountain bike, spare tubes, patches, tools, protective equipment, and plenty of water and snacks.
The Whole Enchilada Trail has gained a reputation as a bucket-list ride for mountain biking enthusiasts worldwide. Its combination of breathtaking scenery, technical challenges, and the sense of accomplishment makes it a memorable experience for those seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure in Moab.
Mag 7 is a popular mountain biking trail network located near Moab, Utah. It consists of a series of interconnected trails that offer a variety of riding experiences, including technical challenges, scenic views, and thrilling descents. The name “Mag 7” is derived from the seven main trails that make up the network.
The Mag 7 trails are often ridden as a shuttle, meaning riders are typically shuttled to the top of the trails and then enjoy a predominantly downhill ride.
Here are the seven main trails that comprise the Mag 7 network:
Bull Run: Bull Run is the first trail of the Mag 7 network and offers a mix of fast descents, slickrock sections, and technical features. It starts near the Gemini Bridges Road and provides scenic views of the surrounding red rock landscape.
Arth’s Corner: Arth’s Corner is a technical trail known for its challenging rock drops and steep sections. It connects Bull Run to Little Canyon.
Little Canyon: Little Canyon provides an opportunity to ride through narrow canyons and navigate rock gardens.
Gold Bar Rim: Gold Bar Rim is a scenic trail that offers stunning views of the Colorado River and Arches National Park. It features technical sections, including ledge drops and off-camber sections.
Golden Spike: Golden Spike is one of the most technical trails in the Mag 7 network, with steep descents, challenging rock features, and narrow ridges.
Poison Spider Mesa: Poison Spider Mesa is a challenging trail that combines technical sections with expansive views of the Colorado River and Moab’s surrounding landscapes.
Portal Trail: The Portal Trail is the final trail of the Mag 7 network and is famous for its exhilarating and possibly deadly descent. The chunk is real and when the sign says to walk, FOLLOW the SIGN!
The Mag 7 trails cater to experienced mountain bikers due to their technical nature and challenging terrain. It is advisable to come well-prepared with a suitable mountain bike, protective gear, water, and snacks. Additionally, riders should ensure they have appropriate navigation tools and a good understanding of the trail system before setting out.
This trail is so long that it takes multiple videos to describe. I’ll embed the best one, which is the very end and the most dangerous trail of all.
The Wasatch Crest Trail in Utah is a renowned and thrilling adventure that traverses the ridge between Park City and the Cottonwood Canyons, offering breathtaking views and exciting challenges for outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning approximately 25 miles with an impressive 1800 vertical feet, completing the trail can take anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on variables such as flat tires or technical difficulties along the way. One notable highlight of the trail is the formidable ascent known as Puke Hill. The journey commences at Guardsman Pass in Brighton and concludes at Pipeline Trail in Millcreek Canyon. Throughout the trail, riders can experience a combination of smooth-flowing sections and rugged, rocky terrain, creating an exhilarating mix of flow and chunk. However, the most awe-inspiring aspect of the Wasatch Crest Trail is undoubtedly the spine, a highly technical and rocky segment at the pinnacle of the ridge, offering a thrilling challenge amidst the scenic beauty that surrounds both Park City and Desolation Lake.
The Slickrock Trail is a world-famous mountain biking trail located near Moab, Utah. It is known for its unique, challenging terrain made up of grippy sandstone, resembling the texture of slick rock. The trail has become an iconic destination for mountain bikers due to its technical features, stunning views, and the thrill it offers riders.
The Slickrock Trail is a loop trail that covers around 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) and is situated in the Sand Flats Recreation Area. The trail is marked with white painted dots on the rock to guide riders along the route. It is important to follow these markers as there are many unmarked spurs and slickrock areas that can be confusing to navigate.
The trail is predominantly made up of rolling sandstone hills and domes, with steep inclines and descents that challenge riders’ technical skills. The surface of the sandstone provides exceptional traction for tires, allowing riders to climb and descend the steep slopes. However, the trail’s difficulty lies in the continuous up-and-down nature of the terrain, requiring a good level of fitness and bike handling ability.
Overall, the Slickrock Trail is a must-ride for mountain biking enthusiasts visiting Moab, providing an exhilarating and unforgettable experience on its unique sandstone terrain.
The Zen and Barrel trails in St. George, Utah, offer a thrilling mountain biking experience amidst the stunning red rock desert landscape. Located in the popular Santa Clara River Reserve, these trails provide riders with a combination of breathtaking scenery and exhilarating challenges. The Zen trail, featuring a singletrack path through rocky terrain, showcases technical elements like drops, ledges, and tight switchbacks. Adventurous riders can also tackle impressive rock rolls that add an extra level of excitement to the trail. On the other hand, the Barrel trail is renowned for its challenging nature, with sections that test riders’ skills and nerve. Notably, the trail offers unique features like the famous waterfall, presenting chunky and demanding terrain that provides a thrilling and technical experience. Both trails offer sweeping views of the desert surroundings, ensuring an unforgettable mountain biking adventure in the St. George area.
Well, that’s it. Now get out there and ride these trails. Remember, to bring plenty of water and snacks. Be prepared so that you don’t die out there… I have had the experience of having to eat cactus to survive in 108° weather while being stuck out in Moab. It’s very scary. So prepare well. Have fun!!
– Eric
