Hiking in Moab, Utah
Hit the Desert Trails for a ScenicTour - on Bicycle or Foot
Moab, Utah, is a mecca for mountain bikers. But if you have no intention of hopping on a two-wheeler, hiking is an ideal alternative. Here's one visitor's experience.
On my first trip to Moab, having pedaled around some flat dirt trails near my Colorado home, I figured I was relatively prepared to tackle the world-famous 10-mile Slickrock Trail, perched on a sandstone plateau. Exercising caution, my husband and I decided to lap the 1.7-mile practice loop first. Ha! I could barely make it a few hundred feet before I had to hop off my bike to negotiate a steep incline. I continued that way—pedal some, jump off and walk, pedal some, jump off and walk—around the loop, until, humbled, I decided there was no way I could maneuver the longer trail.
My husband, who managed to bike the trail successfully (albeit not so gracefully), agreed. So we hightailed it to the visitor’s center in downtown Moab, where we sought suggestions for gentler mountain-biking trails. The helpful and knowledgeable staffers there directed us to the Gemini Bridges Trail, which was decidedly more mellow, although I still found it technically challenging at times. After our multi-hour, out-and-back trek to the neat twin bridges, we rewarded ourselves with some handcrafted ale at the Moab Brewery. Trust me, I enjoyed every sip of my pint of Dead Horse Amber Ale.
On our successive trips to Moab, and we try to visit the Utah desert annually, we haven’t even loaded our bikes in the car. (A sacrilege!) Instead, we get some exercise and take in the incredible landscapes of sandstone buttes, arches and cliffs by foot. I prefer the well-traveled hiking trails with specific directions to nearby trailheads. My husband likes the off-the-beaten-path paths, where we may not see other tourists for hours.
For example, on our last weekend getaway to Moab (where we indulged with a stay at the luxurious Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa, about 18 miles from downtown Moab), we spent one morning in Negro Bill’s Canyon—along with dozens of other hiking enthusiasts. After about an hour of moderate hiking along a somewhat-crowded trail (2 miles in) we were rewarded when we reached country’s sixth-largest natural stone arch, spanning more than 200 feet. Munching on trail mix in the nearby shade, we marveled at how the elements—wind and water, sun and rain—carved this massive arch and the other impressive rock formations throughout the area.
For our second day, my husband had researched the Internet to find the Professor Creek Trail. We couldn’t find any trailhead marking the beginning of the slot canyon, but my intrepid husband insisted we’d be able to find the way. Indeed, we essentially dropped into the riverbed and followed a creek, the route zig-zagging back and forth over the flowing water. We veered from the main creek to explore side canyons, feeling like quite the adventurers. Thankfully, my husband has a wonderful sense of direction, not to mention a lot of common sense, so I don’t hesitate checking out these lesser-traveled routes with him. And indeed, the silence in the canyon, coupled with the unusual red-rock formations juxtaposed with the Technicolor-blue sky, made for a delightful hike.
Of course, the Moab area’s National Parks offer a myriad of other ways to enjoy amazing scenery by foot. At Arches National Park, the gentle walk to the Delicate Arch viewpoint only takes about 15 minutes and ideal for a photo opportunity. The longer hike to Delicate Arch (pictured on the Utah license plates) is “moderate” and 3 miles round trip. A longer trail—Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop—leads to eight magnificent arches. The trails at Canyonlands National Park offer a similar amount of variety and scenic beauty.
