Utah's mountain bike mecca

Sunset, April, 1992 by David Mahoney

The first few miles of the rock-strewn dirt road descend gently across a tableland of junipers and pinon pines. After the trees give way to a grassy expanse, a spur leading off to the right takes you to the top of the twin sandstone arches that gave the trail its name. Back on the main trail, you get a taste of slickrock riding as the slope steepens, culminating in a swift drop into Little Canyon, a short-walled but appealing draw.

Riding along the bottom of the canyon, you pass under Gooney Bird Rock, a sandstone pillar. Then, as if to ease your guilt about all the coasting and easy pedaling up till now, the trail makes a taxing ascent up a canyon wall. Through the climb is tiring, it earns you a great view of Arches National Park, and a thrilling glide as a finale to your ride.

4. La Sal Mountains, Onion Creek. A great late-spring ride, this 25-mile "coast" begins in the La Sal Mountains and ends at the Colorado River, descending 4,000 feet through remarkably varied and scenic landscapes.

Shuttling up from Moab toward the La Sals' snowcapped peaks, you'll notice a conspicuous drop in temperature, and stately ponderosa pines taking the place of the lowland pinons and junipers. As you saddle up and roll off down the Castleton-Gateway Road to the Polar Mesa Trail, fields of lupine and Indian paintbrush that grow after snows melt line your route. Breathtaking views of Fisher Valley open up on your left as you continue down Thompson Canyon Trail.

After dipping into Hideout Canyon and climbing up its other side (the ride's only tough uphill stretch), you swoop down into wide-open Fisher Valley. Leisurely pedaling brings you to the head of Onion Creek Canyon, a fantastically tortured chasm with walls ranging in hue from green (a result of salt deposits) to red. Frequent crossings of shallow streams splash you with refreshingly cool water as you twist through the canyon to its lower reaches.

This ride is offered as a guided day-trip with shuttle by Kaibab Mountain/Desert Bike Tours.

DESERT BIKING TIPS AND ETIQUETTE

Although Moab's popularity among mountain bikers is a boon to the town's economy, it's a potential threat to the surrounding fragile desert environment (particularly to cryptogamic soil, a black, mottled crust that holds soil in place and allows new plants to germinate). Ride only on roads, trails, slickrock, or sand; it can take several years for the soil, algae, mosses, bacteria, and lichens to recover after being crushed by a bike tire.

The desert in turn can be a threat to the unprepared rider. Carry as much water as possible (a gallon per person isn't excessive on a full day's ride), bring along tools and parts for basic repairs (such as changing a flat tire), and always ride with at least one other person.