Jackson Hole Loop, Moab

In Kane Springs Canyon, we're looking at Wingate sandstone cliffs, topped with horizontal layers of the Kayenta formation. (We've descended below the Navajo sandstone.) Photos April 21, 2003.

Jackson Hole Loop, Moab
The Jackson Hole Loop is one of the meanest little rides in Moab. Gregg Bromka, author of "Mountain Biking Utah," calls it "gonzo, abusive, and sick." No argument here. But this loop offers great scenery, some cool cruising, more than a few riding challenges, an insane portage, and a gnarly tech downhill. No other ride in Moab gives you "crazy-biker" bragging rights like Jackson Hole.

The ride is a 22.3 mile loop. Bottom altitude is 3950 feet, after the plunge from the ridge down to Kane Creek. Peak altitude is 4800 at Hurrah Pass. Total climbing (on the bike) is around 1800 vertical feet, plus you'll climb 500 vertical on foot while carrying your bike.

For additional photos of the first portion of this loop, see the Hurrah Pass page.

Emerging from Kane Springs Canyon, we see bands of Chinle beneath the Wingate cliffs, with Moenkopi emerging near the left.

We're starting the climb up Hurrah Pass, through a wonderland of colorful rock.

The first 6 miles are fairly easy technically. On the Hurrah Pass road, you climb over a pass then drop down to ride along Kane Springs Creek, with beautiful Wingate sandstone cliffs above you. As you break out into the open, you pass through the Chinle, then the Moenkopi formations.

The climb up to Hurrah Pass is a bit more technical, but still fairly easy for an intermediate biker. The trail follows a tilted rock layer within the Moenkopi Formation. Erosion creates a very interesting pattern to the rock. Take a minute to look around at the top of the pass, then plunge down the other side.

Goblins and critters litter the slope, about 1/2 mile from Hurrah Pass.

View west from Hurrah Pass, with the Colorado River at left. Rightward from the photo, the potash plant in Shafer Basin extracts salt from the Paradox Salt dome. See the Geology of Moab page. Water is pumped in, then the brine is evaporated to extract salt and potassium.

Two miles from Hurrah Pass, the ride turns abruptly right in a wash-bottom, while the road continues straight. (If you go uphill here, you went the wrong way.) Ride down the wash, keeping right at all forks in the trail.

The riding surface gets progressively tougher. There are some short but stiff climbs, a few wash dips, and some sand.

There are some spots of odd gray rock here that are like a giant egg-crate. This rock is tough to tackle uphill, and will rattle your kidneys right out of your mouth on the downhill.

Yes, those are camels. Do not annoy them -- they have lots of work to do hauling tourists around the desert.

Looking northeast towards Jackson Not-Hole. The cliffs behind the big rock hold the portage up to Amassa.

Watch for the right turn in a shallow rock-walled wash, about 16 miles into the ride. If you go straight, it will take you around the left side of Jackson's Not-Hole (the big rock), through some deep sand. Jackson's Ladder is on the far side of the rock, in a cleft within the long line of Wingate cliffs across the valley.

The infamous scramble up the cliff is called Jackson's Ladder. This is an almost-straight-up clamber up a rockpile in a cleft of the vertical cliffs. 500 vertical feet -- 60 flights of stairs -- over big boulders, while carrying your bike. Keep your helmet on. The risk of tripping and bashing your head on a rock -- or having a biker higher up dislodge a rock onto your head -- is substantial. Your shoulders will ache as you maneuver your bike through the huge rocks.

Looking up, about 1/4 of the way on Jackson's Ladder. The arrow marks where we'll be 1000 groans later.

View west from the top of the portage. That's Jackson Not-Hole on the left, with the Colorado River on the right.

After climbing the cliffs above the Colorado River, you roll the advanced-tech downhill from Amassa Back. This is a great ride, one of our favorites, with plenty of ledges to launch. You're following the Kayenta Formation. Plunge through the creek and groan up the opposite hillside to reach the Amassa Back trailhead. For photos of this portion of the trail, see the Amassa Back page .

Ride notes:
0.0   R and uphill from parking
        N 38° 31.717' W 109° 35.802' Alt = 4000'
0.6   Pass Amassa Back trail
0.8   Petroglyph rock on R
1.2   Ridge, 4300 ft, descend switchbacks
2.8   Keep straight, Hunter Canyon on L
6.2   Fork R (L = Kane Springs)
        N 38° 27.967' W 109° 36.009' Alt = 4150'
9.4   Summit Hurrah Pass
        N 38° 28.919' W 109° 37.509'   Alt = 4800'
12.0 Fork R in wash (do NOT go uphill on DT)
        N 38° 28.259' W 109° 38.952'   Alt = 4050'
12.3, 12.5, 12.9 Keep R

16.2 Fork R (critical) at cairns in rock wash
        N 38° 30.535' W 109° 38.474'
18.2 Fork R to Jackson's Ladder
        N 38° 31.413' W 109° 37.595'   Alt = 4100'
18.4 Portage up cliffs (mileage break)
        Clifftop Alt = 4700'
        N 38° 31.614' W 109° 37.713'
18.4 North under power line 200 ft
        Trail turns R (east)
18.6 Fork R on Amassa Trail
        N 38° 31.723' W 109° 37.678'
21.8 Left (downhill on road)
22.3 Back at parking

Jackson Hole Loop near Moab

strong>Getting there: Head south on Moab's Main Street. When you reach the McDonald's on your right, turn right onto Kane Creek Blvd. After 0.6 miles, go straight where the road seems to turn right. Continue 5 miles until the road turns to gravel, and head uphill about 2/3 mile. Parking is found at GPS N 38° 31.329' W 109° 35.501', and further uphill in the official "Amassa Back Parking" area at GPS N 38° 31.717' W 109° 35.802'. Start the ride by heading up the gravel road.

Riding Resources:
One-page printable riding guide
GPS track file (right-click and select "Save Target as..."):
     GPX of ride
Topo map for printing:
   Lower Res
   High-Res
Lodging, camping, shops: Links to Moab area resources