Can You Moo Trail

Can You Moo?

Can You Moo? is a 11.6-mile loop in the red dirt and rock west of Vernal. The trail is narrow desert singletrack, intermediate technical, twisting and turning through a gradual 550 feet of climbing. It's not too tough, and not too scary. There's one short brute climb on the way out (counterclockwise loop), and one spooky loose plunge on the way back. Good bike-handling skills are recommended to keep the bike on the narrow singletrack. The loop is best ridden counterclockwise.

Bruce pops over the lip of a small wash, with Troy of Altitude Cycle close behind. Photo by Mike, August 27, 2004.

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The trail can be ridden virtually year-round, although some clay areas can get really ugly when wet. This area is winter range for a LOT of cows. The trail surface can change drastically during the wet months of winter.

A couple of other trails link to Can You Moo?. Upper Moo is a nice add-on loop that forks off Can You Moo? at mile 5 (when riding counterclockwise) at N 40° 23.670' W 109° 38.138'. Although not as visually rich or exciting to ride as Can You Moo?, it offers another 8 miles of similar riding.

Trailhead supply stand. Take what you need, hang what you don't.

Ridden counterclockwise, the uphill section is a twisting, high-speed gradual climb in a shallow flat canyon. The trail drops in and out of the wash countless times. Once you reach the Upper Moo fork, the trail rises over a saddle and begins a more-technical descent. The trail hits a number of unusual geographic formations resembling lava flows, alternating with high-speed desert brush.

Bruce climbs up Can You Moo?

Stop at Altitude Cycle in Vernal for directions and current riding conditions. They have an excellent trail guidebook to the Vernal region trails, including topo maps and excellent mile-by-mile trail-riding directions.

Getting there: Starting at the view area on US-40 just west of Vernal, drive west (away from Vernal) 5.9 miles. As the road curves right around a small mountain, spot a dirt road on the right. Park on the side of the dirt road at N 40° 20.253' W 109° 38.055'. Carry your bike through the gate (close it!) and start riding up the old road. When the singletrack leaves the road on the left, keep right as the trail drops into a wash.

For lodging in the Vernal area, as well as travel guides and information on other activities, may we suggest:
Lodging: http://www.utah.com/vernal/ http://www.go-utah.com/vernal
Camping info, Red Fleet Reservoir: http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/redfleet-camping.htm
Camping info, Flaming Gorge: http://www.outdoorsinutah.com/flaminggorge-camping.htm
Dinosaur National Monument: http://www.nps.gov/dino/ http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/dinosaur.htm
Ashley National Forest Ranger District: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/
Utah outdoor activities: http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/
BLM district: http://www.blm.gov/utah/vernal/index.html