Utah & Colorado MTB Trip
Day 2 Slick Rock Trail, Gemini Bridges
and Dead Horse Point S.P.

Slick rock is Navajo sandstone partially eroded into rounded forms. Slick rock got its name from pioneers because it is slick under horse's hooves. Slick rock is anything but slick under a bicycle tire. Off road motorcyclists created the Slick Rock Trail. Mountain bikers "discovered" it years later. The main trial is 12.7 miles long. There is a shorter practice loop of about 3.1 miles off the main trail.

Javi dropped us off at the trailhead in the morning and agreed to meet us in town at lunchtime. We tried the practice loop before heading out to the mail trail. I don't believe I ever got out of my granny gear the whole time. On Slick Rock you're either climbing or descending incredibly steep grades.

Steve, Dave and Ricardo climbing on the Slick Rock Trail.

The trail is marked with a white dashed line painted on the rock. Even if it weren't marked, the trail would be easy to follow from the black streak left on the rock by countless bike tires. Occasionally we had to push our bikes through the "gardens" composed of deep fine sand.

The terrain was unlike anything we've ever ridden before. We found it very technically and physically challenging. Steve didn't like the insanely steep descents. He turned back at the end of the practice loop. Dave Ricardo and I continued to several nice overlooks with views of Negro Bill Canyon, the Colorado River and Moab.

It seems everyone who visits Moab rides the "Rock". Many are inexperienced and totally unprepared for the technical and physical challenges they face. Most of these pitiful souls were pushing their bikes with a dazed look in their eyes. The pamphlet handed to all visitors on Sand Flats Road warns about heat, emphases the importance of water and wearing a helmet. Another pamphlet describing the Slick Rock Trail advises beginners to learn mountain biking elsewhere. Despite the warnings, we saw people riding with no helmet, no water, and wearing jeans in 100°F. heat. I've never seen a worse place to ride without a helmet. We saw a small cross painted on the rock near a two-foot drop off at the bottom of very steep descent. Need I say more?

Gemini Bridges

The Gemini Bridges.

After lunch, Steve, Ricardo and Javi dropped Dave and I off at the Gemini Bridges trail head. Steve and Riccardo spent the afternoon in Moab helping Javi plan a trip to Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks during the time the rest of us would be camping in Colorado. Gemini Bridges trail is about 14 miles long. It gradually descends from HWY. 313 to a point on HWY. 191 North of Moab. Unlike Slick Rock, this trail is technically and physically easy. It offers nice views including the Monitor and Merrimack buttes. The trail is named after a pair of natural bridges above Bull Canyon.

Dave and I had a blast riding Gemini. We highly recommend this ride to anyone visiting Moab.

Dead Horse Point State Park

The Colorado River as seen from Dead Horse State Park at sunset.

According to legend, cowboys rounded up wild horses by driving them to the end of the peninsula. One time, the culls remained behind and died here. Hence the name, Dead Horse Point.

This park is an incredible overlook above the Colorado River. We arrived just before sunset. The view was magnificent. If you go to Moab, don't miss Dead Horse Point at Sunset.

Continue to Day 3

Introduction
Day 1 Porcupine Rim
Day 2 Slick Rock Trail, Gemini Bridges and Dead Horse Point S.P.
Day 3 Colorado National Monument
Day 4 Jughandle Loop
Day 5 Telluride Colorado to Last Dollar Pass
Day 6 Uncompaghre Plateau
Day 7 Uncompaghre Plateau
Day 8 Uncompaghre Plateau
Day 9 Gateway Colorado and John Brown Canyon
Day 10 Sand Flats Road to Moab
Day 11 Arches National Park