The Moab Squad
Itinerary
Day 1 - Klondike Bluffs
The Klondike Bluffs Trail is a modest climb, but isn't too technically difficult. It's a good starter trail for those that haven't done alot of mountain biking. It makes an excellent first "slickrock adventure." Round trip, it's 9.6 miles on the bike and 1 mile on foot (bikes aren't allowed off-road in Arches National Park, so we hiked the last half mile).
We encountered some technical difficulties - all part of the breakin ride:
Klondike Bluffs + Baby Steps: 16.96 miles, 4:05 hours elapsed time, 1:48 hours ride time, 2257 ft gain, 2105 feet loss. Google Earth view of the trail.
Day 2 - Gemini Bridges + Bull Canyon
The Gemini Bridges ride is one of the more famous mountain bike routes in Utah but it's also a popular 4-wheel drive route. On this day we did not encounter too many mountain bikers or 4 wheel drive vehicles.
The trail is a broad rocky gravel road, with some steep sections and one stretch of ledgy slickrock. The trail isn't tough, but it's long.
Gemini Bridges + Bull Canyon: 25.41 miles, 4:01 elapses, 2:30 ride, 2258 ft gain, 3739 ft loss. Google Earth view - Gemini Bridges.
Day 3 - Negro Bill Canyon Hike
Negro Bill Canyon is an impressive Navaho Sandstone gorge containing many hidden secrets, including massive Morning Glory Natural Bridge. Morning Glory Natural Bridge is 243 feet long. Because the canyon follows a perennial stream, the canyon bottom is lush and green which contrasts wonderfully with reddish sandstone walls. Throughout the canyon, desert varnish creates some exquisite patterns on the shear walls. The canyon hike is fairly simple - you just follow the canyon! There are several places where you have to walk across the stream in a few places, so it's best to wear shoes that can get wet.
Day 4 - Slickrock Trail and/or Monitor and Merrimack Trail
In the morning we all rode the Slickrock Practice loop. We then split up where some rode the entire Slickrock trail while other rode the Monitor Merrimack trail.
Slickrock Trail Pictures. A few broken bike parts occurred on the trail. Fortunately we did not end up with any broken body parts :-) except for a sprained wrist.
Slickrock + practice loop: 4:06 elapsed, 2:04 ride, 2622 ft gain, 2627 ft loss. Google Earth View - Slickrock.
Part of the group did not want a technical slickrock ride so we rode the Monitor and Merrimac Bike Trail. But it does angle steadily uphill. So while this ride for beginning mountain bikers, you've got to have leg stamina. (And some sand-surfing as some of us found out :-))
Day 5 - Glenwood Springs
After arriving in Glenwood and getting camp setup we headed out late afternoon on the Boy Scout Mountain Bike Trail which is an extreme drop from the canyon rim into downtown Glenwood. Fortunately it did not rain (it sure looked like rain) as the loam soil and steep descent would have made the descent a "slip and slide". We had more than our share of falls and riders over the handle bars while riding the trail.
Those up front (Paul, Eric, Neal and Ryan) managed to scare at least one black bear. We think Paul ended up being more scared then the bear. Rumor has it there where a lot of bears. The story only gets better as it is re-told.
Boy Scout Trail: 15.88 miles, 3:01 elapsed, 1:52 ride, 1889 ft gain, 3717 ft loss. Global Earth View - Scout Trail.
In Camp Pictures
Pictures from Slickrock Campground (5 nights) and Glenwood Springs (1 night at NoName Campsite).
