Mountain bikers who are first starting out may be intimidated while riding on Moab slickrock for the first time. Luckily, the Bar M and Lazy EZ loops are just north of town and provide a place where beginners can earn their slickrock chops, ride some single track and dirt roads, and feel damn good about it.
First, the Bar M Loop is a super easy ride. There is hardly any change in elevation as the trail stays on level ground for the bulk of its course. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see children and older folks cruising around on this hard-packed, Sunday-stroll-on-two-wheels. The loop is eight miles long, but does have several escape trails throughout the area in case you need to get back to the parking lot, pronto. Despite the plethora of interlocking trails, the area is well signed and you’d have to try to get lost.
For the most part, mountain biking the Bar M Loop means pedaling on double track while taking in the scenery. After curving around to the east side of the loop, the terrain gets a bit more rough and a few slickrock sections pop up here and there. It’s a good spot to play around and get just a taste of what slickrock riding is all about. The views also become more dramatic as you can see Arches National Park in the distance. Keep an eye out for spur trails that lead to overlooks for even better vistas. There’s even a few steep downhill sections where you can pick up speed and blast down through the sand and stone to see what your bike is capable of. Fear not though, there’s nothing technical here.
Although the Bar M Loop is essentially an easy ride tailor-made for beginners, experts also frequent the trail for a quick jaunt, or to warm up the legs before tackling more dangerous rides on the Moab Brand trails and elsewhere. In fact, we even rode Bar M to stretch out our muscles before running a half marathon the next day.
After a nice ride on Bar M, your legs should be ready for something a bit more challenging, but you may still want something easy enough for beginners to find some courage. The Lazy EZ Loop is just the ticket. It’s a 3-mile singletrack loop that parallels the Bar M Loop for a spell. The loop is made of two different trails – Lazy, which is the eastern trail and it’s twin, EZ, on the west. Put them together, and you’ve got the Lazy EZ Loop.
The ride consists of mellow singletrack with a few low-threat technical sections for beginners to test their meddle (but if anything is still too hard, there’s no shame in walking.) Other than these few rocky spots, the path is smooth, well marked, and excellently maintained.
Not only is Lazy EZ a nice loop in itself, it also accesses other trails so you can extend your ride if you choose. Instead of completing the loop, you can continue onto Bar M for a longer, easier way back to the car. Advanced riders can get to Deadman’s Ridge and the Moab Brand Trails from here as well to connect several rides for an epic day.
To get to the Bar M and Lazy EZ Loops, drive on Highway 191 and turn east onto a gravel road seven miles north of Moab. The turnoff is opposite from the Gemini Bridges turnout on the east side. The road is also obvious due to the Bar M signs advertising a cowboy dinner and shootout. After getting off the highway, immediately turn right and continue down the road as it curves left into a giant, dirt parking lot. The ride begins here.
So if you’re a beginner looking to experience Moab for the first time, or an advanced mountain biker in need of an easy day, the Bar M and Lazy EZ Loops have you covered. Get out there and enjoy the ride!