Tag: Moab

Slickrock Bike Trail, Moab, Utah

The real title of this post should be: I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m trying it anyway. That’s how I felt riding my mountain bike on the practice loop of the famous Slickrock Bike Trail in Moab, Utah. The steep uphill sections interspersed with difficult turns and sandy sections made this more like a Bike Hike since I’m pretty sure I was walking my bike at least half of the time.

I’ve been mountain biking maybe twice before, but as an outdoorsy woman, I think mountain biking skills are good to have and where better to learn some than the Holy Land of mountain biking – Moab, Utah. The Slickrock Bike Trail is a 12 mile journey over well marked sandstone.

Lucky for me, the two mile practice loop gives a good taste of the whole trail, with technical dips and climbs, some sandy sections and a whole lot of beautiful scenery to enjoy. Don’t be fooled by my photo, fancy biking gloves do not make someone a mountain biker.

The most enjoyable part of the Slickrock Bike Trail was the amazing scenery. I took the short spur off the practice trail to Echo Canyon where I was lucky enough to see a bird flying below me. I don’t think I’ve seen the top of a bird in flight before. It was pretty cool.

I think I’d be ready to tackle the full loop after a few more trails on my mountain bike. For now I’m just glad I survived this tough trail.

Slickrock Bike Trail:
Getting there: From Moab’s main thouroghfare, turn left on 300 South, right when the road ends and then the second left onto Sand Flats Road following the signs for the Slickrock Bike Trail. About half a mile from the entry gate (where you pay a day use/camping fee) there is the Slickrock Bike Trail parking lot on the left.
Length: full loop 12 miles, practice loop 2 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Tips: Bring extra water. It’s hot anyway, but huffing and puffing uphill made me extra thirsty.

For more info visit this awesome website – http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/slickrck.htm

Moab Utah with Adventure Tykes

Moab, Utah is an adventure paradise. Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are nearby, and 4 wheel drive, hiking and biking trails abound. Our recent trip there was primarily focused on finding some fun UTV trails to explore, but I was able to squeeze in some time to meet another great outdoor family blogger – Melissa Edge with www.adventuretykes.com.
For the last eight years Melissa and her family has lived in Moab, exploring the area for the best family adventures. They currently own Edge Photography, a gallery of amazing outdoor photographs taken by Melissa’s husband, Bret. 

In 2009 Melissa started the Adventure Tykes, first as an online store for parents to find quality outdoor gear for their kids. Now, although the blog maintains a gear rental section where visitors to Moab can get anything from a jogging stroller to a portable high chair, its main focus is to encourage big adventures with little ones.
“One reason I started the blog was to prove to parents that it is possible to have kids and be in the outdoors. Although you move at a slower pace with kids, they open your eyes to the world and the things you would otherwise pass by,” Melissa said. 
I have to agree. On this trip to Moab my tots loved finding wildflowers, climbing rocks, and hiking to hidden alcoves. Big E’s favorite find was a “crystal rock” that may or may not have held magical properties in their imaginative play.

Enjoying the outdoors with tots is the reason I blog as well. I love to re-experience the joy of discovery with my kids, and I was glad to find that with Melissa, I’m in good company.

Gemini Bridges and Bull Canyon, Moab, Utah

As I’ve stated in earlier posts, Mountain Dad’s early Christmas gift was this Polaris RZR 4 1000. I’ve never been a big off road vehicle kind of gal, so I was surprised with how much fun I had riding and driving this! I’m no stranger to the outdoors, but taking the RZR out on the trails opened my eyes to how vast the outdoors really is.

Near Moab, Utah are untold acres of BLM land, full of amazing rock formations, ATV trails, biking and hiking opportunities. Thanks to the book Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells, I am now much more familiar with some of the off road areas near Moab, Utah. Wow, there’s a lot.
Gemini Bridges is about eight miles along a 4-Wheel drive trail starting at a parking area on Highway 191, just 1.3 miles away from Highway 313. The twists and turns of the back country roads offer amazing scenery and we combined our trip to Gemini Bridges with a trip down Bull Canyon to experience the rock walls up close.
It was an amazing trip and inspired me with every turn. I can’t wait to try it out in warmer weather.
Trail Info: Gemini Bridges and Bull Canyon
Length: 7.8 miles to Gemini Bridges, additional 4 miles through Bull Canyon
Time: 2-3 hours
Tips: Get the book for detailed maps, GPS coordinates and directions.

 

Sand Dune, Moab, Utah

One of the most unexpectedly fun stops on our Moab, Utah trip was the giant Sand Dune across the highway from the entrance to Arches National Park. It looked as if something scooped away the top layer of the hill, leaving the red innards open for all to enjoy.
The giant sand dune kept Big E and his cousins occupied for over two hours, even in the cold. They “ran” up the slope, jumped from rock out cropings, dug, sculpted and threw sand snow balls.

 

From the top of the Sand Dune our truck looked like a matchbox car. The steep slope was even used as a sledding slope, minus the snow of course. I would not have thought to pull off the road to enjoy the sand here, but I’m glad we did, even if I’m still finding the red stuff  in pockets and crevices.

 

Trail Info:
Location: Across the highway from the entrance to Arches National Park. Easiest access is on the southbound side.
Difficulty: Easy
Time:10 min to 3 hours
Tips: Pack some shovels!