Igo

I'm new to cycling but I'm an ancient backpacker. I'm hooked on the bike and I know touring is on its way, I just know.
I'm going to Moab for a week, road biking. I've been there backpacking and motorcycling many times. This time it will be on my Giant Defy hoping that soon after it will be on my Surly LHT.
This new 'Moab Canyon Pathway' has seriously caught my eye and I'd love to hear about it. I want to run up to La Sal Mountains via the Fisher Towers. Has anybody been? I also want to ride the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands. Feed my dreams. These will only be long day rides from a base in Arches If I don't get the LHT first but if this works well then I'm going to spend a couple weeks riding the Grand Staircase next spring. What say ye all?

valygrl

I say - great riding there, but wrong time of year. It's way too hot. Go to Durango or Telluride instead, or up into the real mountains around Aspen/Leadville/Vail.

That said, if you do ride in Moab, the La Sal Mtn Loop is great. The new pathway is stupid - about 2 miles or less. You'll be on the regular road. The road at the top of the mountain on the north side is horrible - bad pavement - so it might be better to do the loop clockwise, but I only did it the other way, so I'm not really sure. Clockwise might get you better wind direction as well - again, not sure as I never go to Moab in July.

Arches out and back and Island in the Sky/Deadhorse Point are also excellent rides. I've always wanted to do a loop out of Monticello up into the Abajo mountains, down to Hwy 211 and back around. No water out there though - might want to pre-stash some if you have a vehicle with you.

Seriously, wrong time of year for Moab.

adaminlc

That new path is neat, for the few miles it is. It looks much better as you drive through, however, than it really is. As to the weather, I don't know how it is right now but I was up there 2 weeks ago and they were having a very cool spring and summer. Coming up from southern NM I needed a jacket a few mornings. If you really want to do a summer n Moab this is a good one.

Igo

My mistake. I'll be staying at the camp grounds at Arches the second week of October. I always do some adventure in March/April and October in the desert and these adventures are always during a full moon. I should have mentioned I was going in October.

I've done some hiking north and east of Durango. I used the narrow gauge for a shuttle. It was lovely but I like the desert. I've been trying to get to Aspen for 30 years. I guess I'm not trying as hard as I could.
I think we are talking a different 'New Pathway.' The New Pathway is 100 miles long and connects Arches and Canyonlands via Dead Horse Point State Park. I'm hoping it is a stunner but I can't find much on it.
I've been up the road from Monticello to a point unter Abajo Peak but it was an out and back on a motorcycle. I don't remember much except it is steep and there were some really cool marshy ponds along the way.
I can't wait to get up in the area. I had a cruise to Mexico booked but canceled it. I just can't sit still that long.

valygrl

OK, that makes so much more sense! You'll have a great time then. THe opposite weather warning applies - the top of the La Sal loop can get snow, so you'll need to pick the right day for that.

I've seen that path - didn't know what it was called and forgot about it, jumped to a wrong conclusion about which path you meant. It's just on the west side of the highway, and looks like a great way to get away from the cars. Does it go all the way into Canyonlands, or just get you to the start of that road? Either way, looks like a good one.

Sounds like a fantastic trip!

Other camping options are a couple of forest service campgrounds on the river road west of town and staying at the Lazy Lizard hostel (if you want indoors).

valygrl

God --- reading comprehension fail! Is there a road to the top of the La Sals via the Fishers or do you mean castle valley road?

Igo

I'm quite sure I'm talking Castle Valley. It's been a very long time and I'm operating by recall. I was thinking Fisher Towers was in Castle Valley.
As for the 100 mile trail, I'm trying to figure out what it is doing. We have a fantastic trail system here just outside of Henderson (Las Vegas) and I'm hoping this trail is simular.
River Mountain Trail Las Vegas https://www.rivermountainstrail.com/
Moab Canyon Pathway https://www.discovermoab.com/moab_canyon.htm

Tansy

Reading the description of the trail, I wonder where the 100mi comes from. It looks like most of what is spoken of on that link is a road ride... I think they might be saying there is 100mi of trail in the entire state!

Igo

Maybe. Or in the Moab Valley.

valygrl

If you ride from Moab to the Needles Overlook and back it's about 100 miles round trip - about 15 each way on that trail.

twobadfish

I disagree about the heat. I will say though it takes some conditioning to be able to ride in this heat. But it's not THAT bad if you really know how to stay hydrated.

Igo

I commute by bike and I've seen 109 several times this year already but the ride home is downhill. I won't go out to play after about 95. I like watching movies on my bog screen too. LOL

Igo

Did you find more information about the trail? I still don't know what to think about it.
We have such a fantastic trail system here in Henderson that I rarely ride on the road. There is so much more zen factor when you can hum along on a trail for miles and never think about a car or glass.

staehpj1

I find that true to an extent. The better shape I am in the better I handle it. Also you can acclimate to the heat. I have been on a couple tours where there was 100+ F for days or weeks on end. The thing is that yes you can acclimate to it, but it still sucks if you ask me. If I get there and it is 115 F I'll still ride, but if I expect it to be 100+ I'll probably plan to go either a different place or the same one at a cooler time.

valygrl

Hey - not specifically, but from the link you provided, I know I drove next to it on the highway and I have ridden the first part, between Moab and Arches. It is a paved bike path that parallels the highway, less than a 1/4 mile from the highway, between Moab and the turnoff to go up to Canyonlands on Hwy 313. The pavement looked new and smooth, but it's not a "trail" in the sense of getting you out into the wilderness completely away from roads. It does give you nice safe separation from the cars there. I would consider it more of a very welcome connecter to the canyonlands road, as opposed to a destination in and of itself.

Here's the quote from that link that helped me know what it's talking about:
The path begins at the pedestrian/bike bridge that crosses the Colorado River on Highway 128, just north of Moab. The super smooth blacktop snakes through 2 miles of the red rock canyon to the entrance of Arches National Park where you can exit for a 30-40 mile out and back ride, depending on your route choice inside the park.

The path continues past Arches National Park for another 6.5 miles, and 525 vertical feet of climbing, crossing under Highway 191 to the beginning of Highway 313. The options here are to turn back for a scenic and speedy return from a short training ride, or to continue riding on Highway 313 for a challenging 24 mile climb to Dead Horse Point State Park or a 35 mile ride to Grand View Point in Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky. These mileages on Highway 313 are one way, so, with some figuring, riders can put together amazing century rides in some of the most beautiful country in the world!

On a separate note, do consider the Abajo loop I mentioned, as well as an out-and-back down Hwy 211 to the Needles District. THe latter boasts some spectacular scenery as you ride through an area that is a destination for rock climbers from around the world.

Abajo loop
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Mo...2&via=1,2&z=11

Needles district road:
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=UT...p=0&sz=12&z=11

You can see the road from this picture, taken a the cliff base.

Igo

I see. So it's a bypass of the main road in town. That's good enough. As a backpacker or cyclist I would not be happy to see a slab of asphalt cutting through the middle of nowhere just to apease my nitch desires. But a path 1.4 mile from the road for 100 miles would be a dream ride.
I tried to plot your Monticello route by you description the other day but didn't quite get it. Thank you for the map. I will transfer this to a mapping GPS and maps that I am a little more accustomed to looking at for further investigation. I like to look at elevation profiles. I have to be careful. Though I hike a lot, I'm new to cycling. I still don't have a fix on my abilities yet. But the ride looks wonderful.
One of the best views I ever had was from someplace on the Manti Lasal looking NW across what I want to recall as being castle valley at sunset. I plan on hunting out that scene then riding as much of it as I am able. I have an analog photo of it somewhere. I should scan it and ask folks exactly where it is.
I walked around in the Needles district for a week once but for some reason I do not recall your road. But I'm getting ready to transfer your file data to more familiar maps and see if I can ring a bell.
I'm not an endurance person. I don't train. I don't race. If the country wasn't beautiful I probably wouldn't be riding or hiking in it. That being said (the beauty before the brawn) I just can't seem to get enough beating in pursuite of these magical places. I've been doing it all my life.

valygrl

I like your attitude Igo.

The Monticello loop has a lot of elevation gain/loss. So does the La Sal loop. (See the Moab Skinny Tire Century for map/description). Also both are very remote with no services, so not a good place to get in over your head. Planning is good. You could also stash water & food with your car before riding, if you think you need to.

A much easier but still highly scenic route is to head north from Moab and as soon as you leave town, turn left (west) on Postash Road. It's flat and follows the Colorado River for about 15 miles, you just ride till you run out of pavement and then turn around and ride back. It doesn't have the glamor of some of the other routes, but it's totally gorgeous - cliffs on one side of the road, river on the other, the whole way. A good route for when you are tired from the other ones but still want to get on your bike and enjoy the area.

The River Road (=Hwy 128) up to Castle Valley is kind of the continuation of Potash Road, but to the east of the main highway. It's right on the river as well, and ok to ride (you'll do it if you ride the La Sal loop) but it does carry more traffic, so it's a little more stressful (and hillier) than Postash.

Igo

All the experience I'm going to gain between the start of my new biking career and the time I go to Moab will be during 105 Mohave summer. I don't expect that will be much more than my daily 13 mile commute. But I'm not worried about what I will or won't be able to do when I get there. My 13 mile commute is pretty easy so my days around Moad won't be wasted even if I don't win any races. Surely I will start with something like your flat ride. My best day so far is 24 miles but I just got the bike and two weeks later summer hit. I bet that I will be able to double that, if I want, after a summer of commuting, especially when it is 30 degrees cooler outside. I can't wait.
Hey, I found my picture. It actually is digital already. Can anyone guesstimate where this is taken from and where I'm shooting to? Its not a great picture but my mind remembers how it really looked.

valygrl

Castleton Tower & the Rectory (behind and to it's right) from Mountain Loop Road. Fisher Towers behind & farther right, reflecting the sun. Road in the center is Castle Valley Rd, connects to 128.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Castle...oid=po-3650687

I totally just rode that in April, and climbed Castleton & The Rectory a few years ago.

Igo

Thank you. I thought maybe so.
Well, I don't know if I can make the hill but the valley looks like a great ride. 3 more months.

Shifty

That's a nice photo!

It looks to me like it was taken from Jimmy Keen Flats off the La Sal Loop road. You are looking at Castle Rock (the pointy one is Castleton tower) and The Priest and Nuns just to the right. You are looking almost true north with the Colorado River behind Castle Rock, then on to the Book Cliffs in the very background. Do you remember what month that it was taken? The road below Castle Rock in the valley is Castle Valley Road, part of the La Sal Loop, so from where the photo was taken you follow the road around to the right, then go down to connect with the road you see.

Valygrl, Fisher Tower isn't visible in this photo, it's further to the right.

Igo

I had a pretty good idea, generally, where I was at. This picture was taken late April 2004. I'm a photographer but this is the first and last time in my adult life I found myself in a unique place with nothing more than a cheap camera. When I go back I fully intent to take my time and photograph some proper subjects here; this time with a bike theme. I was just up to Capitol Reef and Bridges and Bryce and Kanab a couple weeks ago but didn't get as far as Moab. I got a lot of nice pics up there but they were all about motorcycle touring. This Moab trip will be about the bicycle as I am sure many more will be in my immediate future.
Shifty, I just did a 2300 mile tour just south of your neck of the woods about 2 months ago. Fabulous country there.

Igo

Valygrl, so where is this picture taken from exactly? It looks like a perfect place to be.

valygrl

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=38...flg=w&t=h&z=12

The picture is not from the road, but from the cliff base, which is about a 15 minute uphill hike. Couldn't get google maps to put a marker off road. Most of the cliffs have trails to the base, since they are climbed.

Base of the Battle of the Bulge Buttress (cliff name), Indian Creek (area name, possibly only used by climbers), on the road to the Needles District, Hwy 211.

There's a visitor center in the park at the far end of hwy 211, with water and bathrooms, and a little store at Needles Outpost a little off route on a dirt road, (this may be closed, google maps says the airstrip is no longer serviced). Otherwise no services on that road except a few random outhouses. It's rolling hills in the valley, no huge climbs but not flat. You'll see a ton of people climbing - climbing season is late Sept - end of Oct.

This is making me want to go climb at Indian Creek.

eofelis 

I love that picture too. Is that a ruin there on the left?
I'm familiar with that area. I don't climb but I know folks who do and I have heard about Indian Creek.

A few years back I backpacked Salt Creek Canyon out to Angel Arch in the Needles District. Awesome area. I love the Colorado Plateau.