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Klondike Bluffs Trail The Klondike Bluffs Trail is a modest climb, but isn't too technically difficult. It's a good trail for someone who's in good shape, but is inexperienced in mountain biking. It makes an excellent first "slickrock adventure." Round trip, it's 9.6 miles on the bike and 1 mile on foot (bikes aren't allowed off-road in Arches National Park, so you hike the last half mile). Chad Hunter ascends the
slickrock portion of the trail. |
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UtahMountainBiking.com for bike trail info, repair instructions, feature articles, first aid, fitness, and goodies. |
Highlights of this ride include dinosaur footprints, fun and not-too-tough rock to practice on, and a fabulous view of Klondike Bluffs at the end of the ride. The trail climbs 800 feet in four miles. Give yourself about three hours, including sightseeing. Dinosaur footprints are found in newly exposed areas of
Kayenta sandstone. |
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The trail begins with just over a mile on modestly rough double-track with a few short sand digs. Then it covers 2-1/2 miles on slickrock (mostly fairly smooth Kayenta sandstone), and a mile more rocky road. At the end of the road is a short section of single-track that climbs to the border of Arches National Park. Dominic climbs up the
slickrock. Boulders of broken Navajo Sandstone lie on top of the Kayenta. |
| If you want a longer ride, you can start at the highway. (Our trail
description assumes you'll drive the first 2.8 miles of graded road, then unload your
bikes at the gate to the double-track trail.) Or, ride uphill via the Baby
Steps trail. This adds a few extra miles, and requires advanced
skills. Dominic has
great memories of this trail, including three tire changes and a derailer adjustment.
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At the end of the bike trail, a 1/2-mile foot trail takes you to a
breath-taking view of the Klondike Bluffs of Arches National Park. The
fractures in the rock that created these fins were created by thickening
of the salt dome found deep underground. As the salt "flowed"
under heat and pressure to thicken in this area, the overlying rock was
pushed up, developing multiple fracture lines as it moved. Other nearby quick rides include Bartlett Wash, Hidden Canyon, and the Moab Brand Trails. This is what you came here for. View from the top looking
into Arches National Park. The arches of the park are formed of Entrada
sandstone, wind-formed of sand dunes like the Navajo, but with finer
texture. |
| Getting there: Starting at the Colorado River, drive 15
miles north from Moab. Look for a turnout on the right. There will usually be cars parked
there. Go through the gate and drive 2.7 miles. Keep left at the fork. At 2.8 miles, park
your car at the gate and begin your ride.
Riding resources: |
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[Trails Options Page]
Copyright 2002 Mad Scientist Software Inc
Updated 2009.
