The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Moab Utah Bike & Hike

October 7th to October 16th

Ride Director: Warner Griswold
Ride Co-Director: Lori Henley
Report by: Sandy Emerson

BAC Tripper Report – Moab, Utah Cycle/Hike Trip

Saturday, October 7nd – Monday, October 16th

The cycling and hiking tour of scenic destinations around Moab, Utah unrolled an ever-changing panorama of fabulous landscapes. The variety of rock formations in this red rock country must be seen to be believed. There are some major themes of colors and shapes: red and white layers, jagged outlines, fantastic towers, slopes, arches…. but each park, and each part of each park, has its own character.

Our hotel was on the north side of Moab, within easy reach of many of our cycling and hiking start points. From our hotel we could take a bike path directly to Arches or to Potash Road. The distance to Canyonlands is about 21 miles. For most of our routes it was wonderful not to have to drive through super-busy Moab (a bustling multi-sport magnet for athletes and beer enthusiasts of all types).

As on most BAC trips, the group was congenial and considerate. Cyclists and hikers had varying levels of strength and skills, but the leaders and people in the group were patient and flexible. The Moab hiking and cycling routes were mostly moderate rather than punishing, so that we could have time to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. Some participants noticed the effects of the altitude (Moab is at 4026 ft.), and it was good to have an easy first day to get acclimated.

Group bonding was helped by the daily rituals of making lunches right after breakfast, and setting up snacks and drinks for happy hour. Participants helped with these activities, on a schedule. It was great to have a packed lunch to take along; there are no cafes on the trails.

The balance of cycling and hiking was slightly skewed toward hiking; it’s good to know that there are plenty of cycling routes still to explore. Although I’ve been to Moab several times, I hadn’t realized how good the area is for skinny tire cyclists. Routes for mountain bikers are abundant, but the road cycling opportunities are also really good. There are several helpful stretches of bike path near town, and significant road maintenance is underway in the parks. The main roads in Arches are being repaved now; next year, road cycling in Arches should be terrific.

Each day had its own attractions, but I particularly enjoyed the first day – an easy cycle on Potash Road, with a stop for viewing petroglyphs, followed by a gentle hike to beautiful Corona Arch. Fortunately we had a sag vehicle that carried boots and poles, which made it easier to combine cycling and hiking in one day. Our three cycling destinations in Canyonlands also offered short hikes; next time, I’d recommend bringing extra shoes for these hikes. And be prepared for the cold: days in Moab in October can start chilly. We cycled uphill to Needles Overlook facing a cold 17mph headwind; but it was worth it as we sailed back at top speed. The 4.4 mile hike to Fisher Towers was slightly difficult for stiff knees, but the views from the top were lovely. Moab is also a rock climbers’ paradise, as we observed. The Devil’s Garden hike in Arches was challenging in spots, and it’s essential to get into the park as early as possible to avoid being stuck in traffic. Some of us made it to Windows in Arches at sunset; a wonderful rosy glow lingers long after the sun has gone down, bringing the arches and towers into sharp relief. Moab has a good dark sky for stargazing …. next time! Always more to do.