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Hazard County
Hazard County is a great stunt trail for DH bikes. The only problem is, there's this darn CLIMB that starts it out. Well, it's only 200 vertical feet over 1/2 mile, but still... The trail starts near the Warner Lake Campground in the La Sal Mountains. It's 3 miles long with a descent of 1000 vertical feet. Mike climbs the hill on the uphill section of Hazard. September 3, 2007. |
 Although fairly high in altitude (8500 feet) the trail has a dry "foothill" feel to it. The sun-exposed slopes on the DH portion are covered with oak brush. Sort of like a "super Lambert Park". We're at the top of the hill, looking out over the trail's course through dry brush. Later, we'll hit gambel oak. The Moab valley is visible below the cliff line. |
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Once you're at the top, the first item of business is a
series of gap jumps. These are armored (stone reinforced) ramps that
launch you into the air. Then there's nothing but air until a landing ramp
about six to eight feet away.
The gap jumps look fun. We didn't dare -- the penalty for hitting the upside of the down-ramp was too high for us on our little XC bikes without body armor. Chad emerges from the aspens at the top of Hazard. |
| The gap jumps are on a fairly mild slope, with the trail
winding back and forth through a windswept meadow area. As you hit the
edge of the hill, you enter some aspens, then oak.
In the oak area, the trail twists back and forth like a dying snake. Most turns are banked, and many have a stone "kicker" to help you nail the corner. Chad approaches a gap jump. The landing strip is facing the camera. |
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It was hard to really rail those turns the first time down
the trail. With a few trips back to the top, you should be screaming down.
We suggest you take two vehicles and shuttle. Or better yet, bribe a
designated driver to dump you at the top and haul you back up. Over and
over.
Dom lands a hop off a rock.
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| Getting there: On Moab's Main Street, head south on US-191. Zero your odometer at Center Street Center Street and drive 8.2 miles. Turn left toward Ken's Lake - La Sal Loop Road. At the T intersection 1/2 mile later, turn right. Climb uphill on the paved La Sal Loop Road. Around mile 25, watch for a doubletrack on the left with a sign "Kokopelli Trail." Leave your shuttle vehicle here. Now backtrack about 3 miles to the Warner Campground road. Drive about 4.5 miles up the gravel road and watch for the "Hazard" sign on the left. The trailhead is a short distance up as you fork left. |
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| Riding resources for this trail: Single-page riding guide GPS track files (right-click and "Save as..."): Garmin GPX Large-format topo map (300 KB): download |
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For additional information, including
nearby lodging, rentals, camping, and current conditions, may we suggest: |
