Circle O Trail

Circle O Trail

The Circle O trail is an excellent addition to Moab's selection of rides, new in 2007. The trail is 100% slickrock, on top of Entrada sandstone. The Circle O trail itself is only about 3.5 miles long with only 200 feet absolute elevation change. But to get there, you need to ride part of the Bar M trail, so the shortest total ride that includes the Circle O will be about 10 miles.

Chad climbs the rock. The trail constantly goes up, down, around, and offers small ledges and wheel-trap challenges. Photos September 2, 2007.

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You can get to the Circle O by riding the Bar M in either direction. I prefer to ride clockwise, starting north on old 191, then circling south toward the Circle O. In this direction, you'll pass the "finish" point of the Circle O about 3 miles from the start, but you'll continue on the Bar M to the Circle O's official "start" a mile later.

The Bar M itself isn't a bad ride. Consider completing the loop by riding the rest of the Bar M after you finish the Circle O.

Both ends of the Circle O have a short section of boring dirt doubletrack before starting the slickrock section.

Dominic leads Mike on the rock of the Bar M trail, heading for the Circle O.

You will NOT be disappointed in the rock riding here. It offers plenty of fun for advanced riders, but is fairly non-threatening for intermediate riders. There are a few spots where you need to throw the front wheel over a wheel-trap -- lift the bike over if you don't know how.

The trail is constant motion. Up and down, circling around. The trail is marked by a narrow strip of concrete stain on the rock. It's not perfect, but it's fairly straightforward navigation.

Chad launches off a ledge. Note the stripe to the right of the rider. That's the marking strip that shows the trail route.

Circle-O, counterclockwise from northern Bar-M
0.0 L out of parking, North on old 191
       N38 39.223 W109 40.469
1.2 Curve R on DT
       N38 40.134 W109 41.020
1.5 Find ST along edge of gorge
       N38 40.111 W109 40.814
1.9 R up wash, L on DT
       N38 39.954 W109 40.481
2.6 Keep R (L=return from loop)
       N38 39.646 W109 39.868

Mike follows Chad up and around a patch of Juniper.

2.9 Straight (L) on Bar M
       N38 39.488 W109 39.716
3.9 Fork L on DT (leave Bar M)
       N38 39.129 W109 39.121
4.1 DT ends, start ST
       N38 39.166 W109 38.907
7.0 R on DT
       N38 39.712 W109 39.689
7.2 Back at Bar M
       N38 39.646 W109 39.868
       Fork R for lariat loop
       (Fork L to complete Bar M loop)
10   Parking

Mike puts the hammer down to climb a short slope.

Getting there:
From the north: Drive south on US-191 for 16 miles south of I-70. From Moab, drive 10 miles north from the Colorado River on 191. When you see the Gemini Bridges parking area, look for a gravel road on the opposite side (east, away from the cliffs). Turn onto the gravel road and immediately go right, then right again into the parking area. GPS N 38° 39.38' W 109° 40.66'. The trail starts by riding the gravel road either north or south. Our ride description assumes you'll ride north (left out of the parking lot).

Riding resources for this trail:
Single-page riding guide
GPS track files (right-click and "Save as..."):
Garmin National Geographic GPX
High-res topo (400 KB): View

For additional information, including nearby lodging, rentals, camping, and current conditions, may we suggest:
Comprehensive info on visiting Moab: http://www.moab-utah.com/
More stuff, activities: http://www.discovermoab.com/ Another source: http://www.moab.net
BLM information (OHV info, hiking, camping): http://www.blm.gov/utah/moab/rec-frame.html
Arches National Park Information: http://www.arches.national-park.com/
Canyonlands National Park: http://www.canyonlands.national-park.com/