Moab is known far and wide as a mecca for mountain biking, and the expansive trail systems are ever expanding. One of the most recent additions are the nine miles of new trails at Dead Horse Point State Park. Previously, riders had a few nice trail options on the east side of the park access road, but new for 2014 is an entire trail system on the west side of the road. The new singletrack has created 18 miles of riding options for folks of all ability levels. Some friends and I took a trip to see what the new trails are all about.
No matter what ride you choose, things get started at the north end of the Visitor Center parking lot. There is a sign with a detailed map of the trail system. Our crew opted to head up Intrepid Trail to Pyramid. Just a few pedal strokes from the trail merge is a terrific viewpoint of the Colorado River. In fact, much of Pyramid stays close to the canyon rim, providing awesome sights over intermediate terrain. Riders can add some distance by merging again, this time on to the Big Chief Loop. Big Chief is the most difficult trail on the east side, but just about anyone can negotiate the path here. Climbing is minimal throughout, which means you can certainly tour all 18 miles in a single day.
Crossroads is aptly named, as it does just that (crosses the park access road). The packed dirt track weaves in and out of the sagebrush flats, and what’s lacking in scenery is made up for in speed. Across the road, the west side trails have a narrower profile and more challenging rides. We tried out Prickly Pair Trail, and were happy with the mix of terrain. Slickrock technical sections give way to hardpack, and there is some soft sand mixed in to crank up the difficulty. Much like the east side trails, there are plenty of spots where the trail hugs the canyon rim, though at a safe enough distance to feel comfortable. Our 11 mile sample of both the new and old trails at Dead Horse Point was an awesome way to spend a few hours in the desert, and I’d recommend the rides here to slickrock newbies looking for a challenge, or seasoned riders seeking something mellow.
Getting There: From Highway 191, turn west on to Highway 313 towards Canyonlands National Park. Drive 14 miles and make the left hand turn for Dead Horse Point State Park. The park entry fee is $10 per vehicle and is good for three days. There are bathroom facilities near the Visitor Center at the south end of the parking area. The bike rides begin on the north side of the lot, and there are trail maps at all the junctions.
Actually just rode this on Saturday and it was so much fun! We only did the east side of the trails and I was amazing how fun they were! I loved the minimal climbing and plus it’s 10 degrees cooler up there compared to Moab… a nice escape from the heat 🙂