Colorado Mountain girl Karin Prescott takes her tires up the notorious Slickrock Trail in Moab, Utah - 10.5 miles of pure rock.
Whoever says Moab riding is easy hasn't tried this route up Hurrah Pass.
Many of Moab's bike trails are shared by Jeeps and trucks with spider-like suspension systems. Just watch out for the oil that drips out on rocks. It's slick.
Feast your eyes on red walls and rocks wherever you go in Moab.
With all the lingering snow on trails, mountain biking season in the Vail area could be a bit delayed this season. Luckily desert riding isn’t far away.
Ghost town that it is around these parts through the end of April and May, hundreds of area fat-tire enthusiasts head West for sun, sand and slickrock.
Moab, Utah, is about 3 and a half hours west of Vail and is recognized throughout the world as a mountain-biking mecca. It is also a haven for Jeeping and hiking, but everyone generally finds their way up and down the trails respectful of each others’ mode of travel. Moab’s bike trails range from wide dirt roads to the famed slickrock terrain – a type of sandstone that, unless wet, is really not very slippery. It’s mind-boggling, really, the way bike tires attach themselves to this magical surface. Riding up and down this stuff will make you feel like a superhero.
To reach Moab from Vail, simply take Interstate 70 West. The faster route is about 221 miles down the road, to exit 182, which is about 32 miles south to Moab on US 191. The more scenic route, which adds about a half-hour of travel time, involves exiting earlier off of I-70 at the second Cisco exit (204) and following signs to route 128, which takes you on a breathtaking, 45-mile drive along the Colorado River.
Moab is a rustic town sporting many restaurants and hotels, while paid camping can be found at Sand Flats, nearly on top of the Slickrock Trail, and free camping up Cane Creek Rd. See specifics on Moab bike trails.
A closer, less frequented option for spring mountain biking is Fruita, located about 2 and a half hours West of Vail (exit 19) just short of the Utah border. While boasting significantly less slickrock riding than Moab, Fruita’s trails at the Loma exit (15) consist of dozens of miles of both smooth and rock ledge-filled single track on top of a mesa skirting the Colorado River.
To get there, simply turn left off the exit ramp at Loma from I-70, cross over the highway and follow the dirt road to the Kokopelli trailhead. Alternately, hit the Book Cliffs trails (sandier and fewer trail options, but equally as fun) and free camping. Take the Fruita exit and turn right through town (Fruita isn’t much of a town, but has a couple of bars and a great coffee and bike shop). To get to Book Cliffs, continue straight through the roundabout in town, go two blocks and turn left on Maple Street. Go 4 miles north on Maple St. (17 1/2 Rd). Turn right at N. 3/10 Rd, .5-mile to 18 Rd. Go north on 18 Rd for 7.5 miles to a parking area on the left. Learn more about Fruita’s bike trails.
Don't forget your sunscreen, seatbelts, heavily padded shorts and lots of water.
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