Chad hits the old doubletrack Amasa Back.
Chad hits the old doubletrack Amasa Back.

Amasa Back Riding Area

The Amasa Back riding area is located along Kane Creek west of Moab. There's no beginner-level riding here. The climbing is significant and sometimes steep, and the downhills are technical. So this set of trails is best reserved for strong experienced riders.

Mike drops a ledge as we head down Amasa.
Mike drops a ledge as we head down Amasa.

Amasa Back

Ten mile out-and-back crosses tough ledges both uphill and down. Recommended for strong, skilled, and conditioned riders only. Absolute altitude change 1050 feet (3900 base elevation), 1300 climbing. Must cover at least the first 2.7 miles of this route to reach any other trail in the system.

[ Amasa Back trail page ]

On the way to the Pothole Arch.
On the way to the Pothole Arch.

Pothole Arch

The Pothole Arch trail forks off Amasa back at mile 4.6, just before the last little climb. Rolling ride with great views. Good as an out-and-back two miles each way, or to connect to Rockstacker.

[ Pothole Arch trail page ]

Looking to the Colorado from Rockstacker.
Looking to the Colorado from Rockstacker.

Rockstacker

Rockstacker is a 1.7 mile slickrock ride along the cliffs above the Colorado, on the north side of the peninsula. Rockstacker forks off Pothole Arch at mile 1.1 from Amasa (5.7 miles from the bottom, 6.5 miles into the ride if you've gone out-and-back to the Amasa viewpoint). If you've done all of Amasa, backtracked and done all of Pothole Arch, then backtracked to the trail fork, you'll be at mile 8.3. 

[ Rockstacker trail page ]

This trail has some dangerous cliff exposures.
This trail has some dangerous cliff exposures.

Jackson Singletrack

Jackson ST descends on cliffs above the Colorado from the end of Rockstacker down to the Kane Creek road at the mouth of the canyon. There are many tricky spots and some potentially deadly cliff exposures.

[ Jackson ST trail page ]

View to the east early in the Captain Ahab descent.
View to the east early in the Captain Ahab descent.

Captain Ahab

Captain Ahab is a one-way singletrack that forks off Amasa at the first ridgeline (mile 2.7 after 700 vertical feet of climbing).  It climbs another 300 vertical then descends 4 miles over very technical terrain. There's a mid-point connector to bail out, or to make a shorter loop. The train rejoins Amasa just above Kane Creek.

[ Captain Ahab trail page ]

The cliffs of Kane Creek Canyon from Hymasa.
The cliffs of Kane Creek Canyon from Hymasa.

Hymasa

Hymasa is a two-way trail that substitutes for the main Amasa jeep road for the main climb or descent. It's upper-intermediate technical, the easiest trail in the Amasa riding area.

[ Hymasa trail page ]

Map of the Amasa riding area.
Map of the Amasa riding area.
Getting there: Head south on Moab's Main Street. When you reach the McDonald's on your right, turn right onto Kane Creek Blvd. After 0.6 miles, go straight where the road seems to turn right (500 West). Drive along the Colorado River about 5 miles until the road turns to gravel, and head uphill about 2/3 mile. Watch for the "Amasa Back Parking" area at GPS N 38° 31.329' W 109° 35.501'. Park here. Pedal further up the gravel road 1/2 mile, and turn right onto the trail at the sign.