Moab Trip Planner

[ggilings]

Originally Posted by cemeb4dk

A couple of us midwesterners are planning a trip to Moab over memorial day weekend. Any must do trail suggestions, I just watched a video of the whole enchilada over at bike rags site and was very impressed but bummed it wont be open most likely when we are there.

Any help would be appreciated.

I would still look at doing The Whole Enchilada. If Burro pass is not open, you can always do from Hazard county down (about 21 miles). You miss the high alpine single track, but still amazing. Should be good by then.

Also, MAG 7 is incredible and newer. It is a combination of 7 different trails that equal about 26ish miles of pure radness. It is about 80% down 20% up with a ton of variety. Also, if you like technical stuff, do amasa back/rockstacker/jacksons it's a LOT fun.

If you have never ridden the Slickrock trail, it is so different and famous, you should add that to the list..

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[rpalmer]

Originally Posted by cemeb4dk

A couple of us midwesterners are planning a trip to Moab over memorial day weekend. Any must do trail suggestions, I just watched a video of the whole enchilada over at bike rags site and was very impressed but bummed it wont be open most likely when we are there.

Any help would be appreciated.

The Whole Enchilada is awesome and if you can do it when you are here you will not be disappointed. The snow is pretty sparse this year so might have a real shot at it. But you know, if you don't get to do it this trip, there are a lot of really awesome trails in the area and you will be very happy with what you find here. Amasa Back is my personal fave, but different styles will like different trails. Porcupine Rim is a favorite, the Slickrock Trail is pretty fun, Sovereign is fun... They are all very different too so if you just talk to a bike shop and tell them what kind of riding you like they can match you up with something similar.

[moabman]

see utahmountainbiking.com if you havent already.

makes for good reading and their trail descriptions are spot on.(no affiliation, I just think they do a good job).

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks you guys rock. We are looking forward to it, and in early planning stages. We all ride hardtails here, but thinking of renting out there and just going with a full squish, but there is that certain comfort level you have on your own bike.

The plan is to have 2 to 2-1/2 days of full riding before we have the long drive back. So we have to be smart with our trail selection, and you guys have been super helpful.

[ggilings]

Cool. I usually go down there that weekend as well with my brother. You mention riding hardtails and I am not a hardtail hater or anything; however, for Moab you are def. going to want a full suspension especially on amasa and the whole enchillada. I have ridden amasa and Porc rim (end of the whole enchilada) on a hardtail and it was brutal. Improved skills.. Yes, helped with line choice.. .Yes. Woudl I do it again....NEVER. You might be okay for the first few miles, but the next 25 you will be regretting it... Just a heads up. There are other trails there you can do with a HT just fine though

[rpmjunky]

just looking for some information on accommodation in or around Moab. i have a group of guys heading over late october early september for a couple weeks and we are looking for a nice holiday house to rent out in a good location near some nee trails. also do you know if anybody is doing catered holidays. have done a search and couldn't really find anything.

thanks

[bigzebra]

I am heading to the eastern part of Colorado next week. Depending on trail conditions there, I'm also contemplating driving to Moab for a few days. How are the trails during the winter? Would it be worth the drive? Riding at Moab has been a life-long dream. Would riding there in the winter skew the fabled image I have of Moab in my mind?

[rpalmer]

Originally Posted by bigzebra

I am heading to the eastern part of Colorado next week. Depending on trail conditions there, I'm also contemplating driving to Moab for a few days. How are the trails during the winter? Would it be worth the drive? Riding at Moab has been a life-long dream. Would riding there in the winter skew the fabled image I have of Moab in my mind?

Winter in Moab is better than Summer in Moab, my friend. If the sun is out, Winter riding on the slickrock can't be beat. Check the weather before you head over and if its not supposed to rain or snow on the day you plan to ride, don't miss it. Even if its supposed to be really cold, the way the sun hits the rock makes it feel warmer than it is. Just don't go if its snowing or raining. In my opinion, those conditions would taint your experience. Winter in Moab is kind of a secret though. Some of the restaurants and hotels in town close because people don't go to Moab in Winter. For biking though, that means no lines of bikers waiting their turn for the next wild stunt on the Slickrock Trail, more places to park, cheaper hotels (if that's your thing), among other benefits. I think you'll have a great time if the weather works out for you.

[axolotl]

Moab is hit or miss in the winter. But the hits are more frequent than the misses. It is not too unusual to be riding in shorts in January, nor is it unusual to be snowed on. Checking the weather is a good idea, but Moab sitting under the La Sals can make it's own weather. So sometimes it's just worth a gamble. Moab in general has more riding days in winter than days you shouldn't ride.

[Jwind]

Originally Posted by axolotl

Moab is hit or miss in the winter. But the hits are more frequent than the misses. It is not too unusual to be riding in shorts in January, nor is it unusual to be snowed on. Checking the weather is a good idea, but Moab sitting under the La Sals can make it's own weather. So sometimes it's just worth a gamble. Moab in general has more riding days in winter than days you shouldn't ride.

I've worn tights twice this winter. Kneepads help a bit, but still. December started out a bit colder and over cast like, since then it's been awesome. Rode in shorts and a tshirt yesterday.

[bigzebra]

Thanks for the info guys! If I do make the jog over, which trails do you recommend I hit? I'm from Saint Louis and have a hard tail 29er. I've only ridden Midwest trails, so I can't say I've ever experienced anything as epic like Moab.

And how about camping or cheap lodging? And who has awesome food (and beer)?

[axolotl]

Originally Posted by bigzebra

Thanks for the info guys! If I do make the jog over, which trails do you recommend I hit? I'm from Saint Louis and have a hard tail 29er. I've only ridden Midwest trails, so I can't say I've ever experienced anything as epic like Moab.

And how about camping or cheap lodging? And who has awesome food (and beer)?

Recommend leaving the hard tail and renting a bike appropriate for the terrain. Hard tails are just bad for Moab. You may see people taking issue with this, but it is still the best advice for enjoying Moab. A good trail bike will be a blast. 5" suspension and trail geometry is a minimum. All the bike shops rent good bikes. But know that the reason some of them carry xc bikes is not because they think xc bikes are good for moab - it is because people pay money to rent them and won't be talked into something that is better.
Beer is at the liquor store (mc stiffs is not the place- the brewery is better)
Food is at Milt's
Cheap lodging is at the Lazy Lizard
Free camping is out of town around the sovereign trail
Trails - hit the ones that are ridable at the time. Winter has riding limitations

[Jwind]

Originally Posted by bigzebra

Thanks for the info guys! If I do make the jog over, which trails do you recommend I hit? I'm from Saint Louis and have a hard tail 29er. I've only ridden Midwest trails, so I can't say I've ever experienced anything as epic like Moab.

And how about camping or cheap lodging? And who has awesome food (and beer)?

Renting a bike for a day or two isn't a terrible suggestion. Don't listen to people who say an XC bike won't work here. Your 9er will work just fine, just the constant thudding of a HT might get a little much at some point

Just passed the motel 6 on the North end of town. 39.99 a night. Seems pretty good to me. The hostel is even cheaper.

I like Paradox for pizza. Truly east coast "city" style if you're familiar. Milts is a good burger/fries outdoor type place. I also like hole in the wall mexican place south of town - Mi Ranchito I think it's called. Both the brewery and Eddies are average at best, so is the beer in UT. No difference here. At least it's fairly cheap.

Amasa is one of my favorites. Also seems to be the warmes with the exception of rockstacker and jacksons being a bit more shaded. But really, bot a whole lot of snow right now so anything but the La Sal stuff is an option right now.

[bigzebra]

Originally Posted by Jwind

Renting a bike for a day or two isn't a terrible suggestion. Don't listen to people who say an XC bike won't work here. Your 9er will work just fine, just the constant thudding of a HT might get a little much at some point

Just passed the motel 6 on the North end of town. 39.99 a night. Seems pretty good to me. The hostel is even cheaper.

I like Paradox for pizza. Truly east coast "city" style if you're familiar. Milts is a good burger/fries outdoor type place. I also like hole in the wall mexican place south of town - Mi Ranchito I think it's called. Both the brewery and Eddies are average at best, so is the beer in UT. No difference here. At least it's fairly cheap.

Amasa is one of my favorites. Also seems to be the warmes with the exception of rockstacker and jacksons being a bit more shaded. But really, bot a whole lot of snow right now so anything but the La Sal stuff is an option right now.

Thanks for the response!

Is all of the beer in Utah 3.2%?

[nord1899]

Originally Posted by bigzebra

Thanks for the response!

Is all of the beer in Utah 3.2%?

Keg beer is 3.2%.
Grocery store or gas station beer is 3.2%.
You will need to go to a liquor store to find proper beer. A bar can server proper beer, but it will all be bottles.

[Jwind]

Originally Posted by nord1899

Keg beer is 3.2%.
Grocery store or gas station beer is 3.2%.
You will need to go to a liquor store to find proper beer. A bar can server proper beer, but it will all be bottles.

Totally absurd, but that's the 411. Buy beer in Colorado or whatever neighboring state you pass through to get here

[bigzebra]

Hey, thanks again everyone for all of your advice! It was really great help.

For those interested I stayed at the Big Horn Lodge (free wi-fi, decent mattresses, fridge). My first evening I rode the Moab Brand trails just to get a taste. My second day I rode the Amasa Back. I made the mistake of going UP the Jackson trail (I also came very close to an untimely death after a pedal strike). Last day I did the Slickrock trail.

I did find that my skills were lacking though, so that's enough motivation for me to ride more back in the Midwest.

My favorite places to eat were MIlt's and Lovemuffin Cafe for breakfast.

Additional props to the guy (I forgot his name) at Uranium Bicycles. Very cool dude and extremely helpful. He'll get business from me any time I come back through Moab.

Another note: I didn't find an unfriendly person my entire time in Moab. From the gas station, to the resteraunts, to every local I had the pleasure of meeting, all were beyond friendly.

[cemeb4dk]

Ok I think I got our Memorial day Trip planned out. We will be arriving late afternoon Thursday, after a 19 hour straight thru drive, I'm sure it will be eat and sleep that day. So riding we have Friday, Sat, and Sunday. I know we are going to ride Burro Pass (whole enchilada as much as its open) then next day Mag 7 and then Sunday Slick Rock. Renting bikes from Poison Spider and using Porcupine shuttle. Just need to figure a place to stay.

ANy veterans or locals see any issues with my plan, and or make any suggestions. We are Moab newbs. Thanks in advance

[powderhound82]

Burro pass will more than likely still be under several feet of snow. With this crazy winter anything is possible, though.

[bikerider2]

Originally Posted by cemeb4dk

Ok I think I got our Memorial day Trip planned out. We will be arriving late afternoon Thursday, after a 19 hour straight thru drive, I'm sure it will be eat and sleep that day. So riding we have Friday, Sat, and Sunday. I know we are going to ride Burro Pass (whole enchilada as much as its open) then next day Mag 7 and then Sunday Slick Rock. Renting bikes from Poison Spider and using Porcupine shuttle. Just need to figure a place to stay.

ANy veterans or locals see any issues with my plan, and or make any suggestions. We are Moab newbs. Thanks in advance

Even if Burro is closed, plan on doing the shuttle. They'll most likely drop you at the top of Hazard County or UPS. Both still great options and you'll get plenty of riding in. Because Moab is so far from SoCal we usually did two rides a day, except for the day we rode TWE. Slickrock can done in the morning and then an afternoon ride at Bartlett's Gemini Bridges or some other moderate ride. I've been 4 times and will head out there again this fall. One suggestion I might offer, On your way through CO, you may want to do a short ride in Fruita. Something like Mary's loop or Moore fun on the way to or from Moab is good way to add another fun destination on your route and it's right off the freeway. Certainly Moab is the highlight, but Fruita is fun in it's own right.

[General Hickey]

Heading to Moab for spring break with a crew of 6, should be there on the 11th of March, how is the snow looking on The Whole Enchilada? How bout camping options? Porqupine shuttle operating?

[Jwind]

Originally Posted by General Hickey

Heading to Moab for spring break with a crew of 6, should be there on the 11th of March, how is the snow looking on The Whole Enchilada? How bout camping options? Porqupine shuttle operating?

Just got in from riding UP Porcupine rim. Bits of snow in the shade. I din't make it to the top, but I suspect one could ride PR in a relative snow-free manner with the exception of maybe the beginning.

In early March you'll be able to ride LPS>PR at best.

[gdv]

Planning my first trip to Moab and need some advice. My girlfriend and I will be passing through for a few days at the end of May and want to do some riding. We will have a rental car and the bikes will be at home unfortunately. What should we be looking into:

Should we rent bikes, buy a trail map and explore on our own?
Look into combined rentals & shuttle service?
Guided trips/rides?

We're fit and ride often, but are probably not looking for 8 hour plus all day rides.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[Jwind]

Originally Posted by gdv

Planning my first trip to Moab and need some advice. My girlfriend and I will be passing through for a few days at the end of May and want to do some riding. We will have a rental car and the bikes will be at home unfortunately. What should we be looking into:

Should we rent bikes, buy a trail map and explore on our own?
Look into combined rentals & shuttle service?
Guided trips/rides?

We're fit and ride often, but are probably not looking for 8 hour plus all day rides.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sounds like you have choice but to reent. Plenty of places to do so. I'd call ahead to make sure you get what you want. I am not aware of any rental/shuttle package deals...

Seems like the guided services appeal more to the beginner/intermediate level riders. If you spend a little time doing research, but a map or stop into a shop or two route finding on many of the rides around here is totally doable.

If you have further questions or concernes about a certain ride, you can always check back here and if you are lucky, find someone to ride with. If you are unlucky, it'll be me