Golden Spike Trail

Here's the good news:  The Golden Spike Trail runs on tilted Kayenta bedrock. This type of sandstone forms gazillions of ledges, so there are stretches of smooth stone alternating with drop-offs and uphill ledge attacks. This trail is a technical-rock lover's dream -- 7 miles of up-and-down hard-hitting tech riding.

Now the bad news:  To ride Golden Spike, you need to get there. That means you have to climb up the Gold Bar Rim or Poison Spider Mesa trails. On your bike. These trails, with their ledges and stiff climbs, will get "first crack" at you. By the time you hit the stunts on Golden Spike, you'll be a whimpering jelly-legged wannabe. Or maybe not. But we warned you.

Matt stands at one of dozens of viewpoints on Golden Spike. To the south, the dark line is the canyon of the Colorado at the entrance to Moab. Photo by Bruce, May 17, 2002.

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The Golden Spike trail undulates up to the edge of the cliffs, then backs away, again and again. Tough technical climb followed by technical descent. Fun, if you have the strength left to attack.

Bruce rolls past some typical scenery.

To reach the Golden Spike Trail from the Gemini Bridges trailhead, you'll follow the Gold Bar Rim Trail. This is 8.5 miles (5 easy, 3.5 tougher) with about 1500 total feet of climbing. Just before the viewpoint that marks the end of Gold Bar, you'll turn right as the Golden Spike begins.

Mike watches Matt repair his 3rd flat. When there aren't views off the cliffs on the east, there are fantastic views of canyons and mesas to the west.
To get to the Golden Spike via Poison Spider Mesa, you'll climb about 800 feet, then gain and lose a few hundred as you push over the Navajo sandstone domes of Poison Spider. As you follow the little "Jeeps" painted on the rock, the Golden Spike trail forks left at about mile 7.5.

Matt launches off a ledge.

On slickrock areas, the trail is well-marked with painted "spikes" on the rock. The occasional short side-trail to the rim is usually well-marked.

Mike muscles his bike up and over a ledge.

This trail is remote. Some days, you may not see anyone else on this trail. Be sure you're well-prepared with plenty of water, food, tools, and spare parts.

Matt shreds 4 inches of tire jumping the Golden Crack. Wrap the new tube with strips of old inner tube, glue tube to the tire casing, add duct tape, and strap the tire casing down with cable ties around the rim to keep the pressure off the repair.

Getting there:  

Gemini Bridges - Gold Bar Rim Trailhead: Drive south on US-191 for 16 miles south of I-70 (about 15 miles north of Moab). Spot the parking area on the west (right as you head toward Moab) side of the road. GPS N 38° 39.381' W 109° 40.672'. Park in front of the railroad tracks, and head out west on the road.

Poison Spider trailhead: Go 6 miles down U-278 then right up a short dirt road with a sign that says "Dinosaur Tracks." GPS is N 38° 31.917' W 109° 36.473'.

For a one-page printable trail guide to Golden Spike, click here. Please see the Gold Bar Rim and Poison Spider pages for additional information on these trails.

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/

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