Mountain Bike Trip Report

Utah & Colorado MTB Trip

Day 1 Porcupine Rim

After a leisurely breakfast followed much scurrying around to round up all our gear, We piled into the van and drove across town to pick up our bikes at Western Spirit. It was nice to be reunited with my "baby" after 2 weeks separation.

Next stop, Porcupine Rim. The trailhead is located about 10 miles from Moab on Sand Flats Road. About a mile on Sand Flats road, a volunteer association runs a tollbooth. They charge a nominal fee to enter the Sand Flats area. The person manning the booth asked us where we were going and how much water we had. She handed us a pamphlet describing the area. The pamphlet also explained how the entrance fee is used for trail maintenance. The Slick Rock Trail is also located in the Sand Flats area.

We found a nice spring at the trailhead. There are also some pit toilets across the road. We unloaded our bikes and gear. Javi drove the van back to Moab and spent the rest of the day sight seeing.

The first four miles climbs loose sand and ledgy rock. We had some nice views into Negro Bill Canyon. But, the best views were yet to come. The climb wasn't very technical. It was very physically demanding. Being our first day, we weren't acclimated to the dry climate or altitude yet. It was hot. But, this wasn't the oppressive humid sticky heat we were used to back east. We were very surprised later in the day to learn the temperature reached 100°F in Moab. To us it felt more like 80 to 85°F.

View from Porcupine Rim
Round Mountain and Adobe Mesa
as seen from Porcupine Rim.

All of a sudden we reached the edge of the rim. A magnificent panorama opened up before us. Two thousand feet below us lay Castle Valley. We could see three buttes, Priests and Nuns, Castle Rock and Round Mountain. The rim dropped 500 feet straight down. Below that lay another 1000 feet of steep talus. We spent at least a half an hour here taking pictures and admiring the view.

The rest of the ride descends. The road surface is loose and bumpy. Shortly after we began our descent, Steve's seat post slipped down on him. We all stopped while Steve readjusted his saddle height. Steve's binder bolt snapped in two as he tightened it. Poor Steve rode the rest of the ride (about 12 miles) standing up.

Shortly after Steve's mishap, I hit a rock and pinch flatted. I was going so fast, I just about tore the stem off the tube by the time I stopped. Fortunately, I had a spare. Don't do this ride without tools and an extra tube.

Many other roads intersect the trail. Fortunately, the trail was well marked at the time we did it. Otherwise, we certainly would have got lost. The entrance fee charged on Sand Flats road is worth every penny.

View of trail and Colorado River
Porcupine Rim Trial descends to
HWY. 128 and the Colorado River.

Finally, we came to Jackass Canyon. Here trail changes from jeep road to single track. The trail hugs a narrow ledge about 250 feet above canyon. Ahead, we could see the Colorado River. The trail comes out of Jackass Canyon and gradually descends the talus slope parallel to the river. This is the most technically demanding portion of the trail. In several places the trail passes through narrow gaps in the boulders. We carried our bikes over several obstacles.

The trail joins HWY. 128 about 6 miles from Moab. By this time I was out of water. I carried a full Camel Back (70 ounces) and a two full bottles (28 ounces each). I was amazed at how much water I drank. I saw a spring flowing next to HWY. 128. But, I didn't know if it was safe. So, I didn't stop. A local told me later, "Any time you see water coming out of a rock, it's safe".

Lesson 1: In the desert, water is life. You can't carry too much.

We got to town and stopped at the first bike store we saw, Poison Spider Bicycles. Steve bought a new quick release for his seat post.

We ended our day back at Pioneer Spring with a well-deserved soak in the Jacuzzi.

Continue to Day 2