6 Days
Colorado/Utah
Camping
Intermediate/Advanced
$1,260.00
Start/End: Moab, UT
Meeting Time and Place
This trip will meet at 7:00am MST at Western Spirit, 478 Mill Creek Drive, Moab, Utah. You will need to spend the night before in Moab. We will be happy to pick you up at your hotel, please call us Mon-Fri, 9-5 to schedule your pickup. Muffins, scones, fruit and coffee will be served.
Day One
This great ride begins in historic Telluride, after our three hour shuttle from Moab. Our route takes us directly underneath the dramatic Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area and offers outstanding views of the snow capped San Juan Mountains. In the early summer the wildflowers are incredible. In the fall, the golden hue of aspen and scrub oak add a nice touch to the spectacular mountain scenery. This afternoon, we will climb up towards Last Dollar Pass, which is just over 10,500 feet. This is a tough long climb but the awesome scenery will keep you going. Our camp is situated just over the top of the pass and we're sure that you'll understand why this is one of our favorites.
TOTAL MILEAGE - 14 miles ELEVATION GAIN - 2,400 feet
Day Two
Our second day begins with a fun descent down the backside to Hastings Mesa and Route 62 which we will follow for two to three miles before heading back to the dirt. On this 2,200 foot downhill, we will descend through beautiful meadows filled with lush stands of aspen trees. A few rollers and a great creek crossing keep the fun level high. After our long descent, we begin a gradual climb up to the Uncompahgre Plateau which we will follow for the next few days. Views off to the south of the plateau lend a proper perspective to this amazing area. From the mesas, we can see the valleys far below us and the snow capped peaks above us. The plant life changes as dramatically as do our views. Tonight our camp will be in the aspens at 9,000 feet. TOTAL MILEAGE - 39 miles ELEVATION GAIN - 3,100 feet
Day Three
Our ride today takes us along the top of the Uncompahgre Plateau. From Windy Point, views of the La Sal Mountains are spectacular. Here the red rock desert country joins the mountains in an impressive geological display. The sediments that were laid down millions of years ago were warped upwards when the mountains rose from beneath the surface. The resultant landscape provides an interesting contrast of high snow capped peaks and arid desert. We can see the route that we will be following on our way to the La Sals. Yet the steep climb up John Brown Canyon remains deceptively hidden. TOTAL MILEAGE - 52 miles ELEVATION GAIN - 2,800 feet
Day Four
Our last day on the plateau takes us through beautiful pine forests to just above the town of Gateway. From camp, we'll roll along the plateau before we begin a great descent through a beautiful canyon. The vegetation in this canyon is quite diverse and changes dramatically as we lose elevation. After this descent we will then climb a thousand feet before we arrive at our camp in the Ponderosas, where we'll have lunch. An afternoon of relaxation is in order. A short hike from camp will take us to a point overlooking Unaweep Canyon which is where we will be heading in the morning. From this impressive point we will get a hint of tomorrow's big climb up John Brown Canyon. TOTAL MILEAGE - 17 miles ELEVATION GAIN - 1,900 feet
Day Five
Today we have a long descent followed by the big climb. First we will descend 3,000 vertical feet in 10 miles. After we roll through the small town of Gateway and cross the Dolores River, we begin the difficult ascent into the La Sal Mountains. The climb up John Brown Canyon is a strenuous one, however soon after beginning the climb great views of the mountains appear. In the afternoon, we reach North Beaver Mesa where we will camp high above the Colorado River at 8,300 feet. Here on the mesa top our view encompasses both the mountains and the desert. There are few places in the world where such a perspective is possible. TOTAL MILEAGE - 34 miles ELEVATION GAIN - 5,000 feet
Day Six
If you like to ride downhill, you will love today's ride. We will descend a total of 5,700 vertical feet and 31 miles into the Moab Valley. We will begin our ride on the north side of the La Sal Mountains and work our way around to the central range, high above the Moab Valley. But first we start with a quick tour of the evidence of life here about 80 million years ago. Hidden in the scrub oak at an elevation of 7,500 feet are dinosaur track impressions in the rock. They're about twice the size of anyone's Sidi's! While still pondering this amazing site we'll hop on our bikes for a ripping 1,700 foot descent toward Castle Valley. We will get on the La Sal Mountain Loop Road (paved) and climb about seven miles up to Bald Mesa. In the afternoon, we ride a great 26 mile, 4,000 foot descent into the Moab Valley. TOTAL MILEAGE - 35 miles ELEVATION GAIN - 1,800 feet
Ending Time
We will ride into Western Spirit between 2:00-3:00 pm on the last day.
TERRAIN
Riding Surface: Hard packed clay, loose gravel; some loose, rocky sections. Mostly dirt road route with some pavement, no singletrack.
Technical Difficulty: Moderate.
Physical Difficulty: Difficult. Steep climbs, long days and high elevations make this ride a challenging one.
Altitude: 4,000 - 10,500 feet.
Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
GETTING TO MOAB, UTAH
-Driving
Moab is located 30 miles south of Interstate 70 on Highway 191. We have a roomy parking area.
-Flying into Salt Lake City, UT
Airport Code: SLC
From Salt Lake City you would need to rent a car and drive to Moab, it will take approximately 4 hours. You can park it at our shop while you are on your tour.
-Flying into Grand Junction, CO
Airport Code: GJT
Rent a car and drive to Moab, it will take approximately 2 hours. You can park it at our shop while you are on your tour.
Thrify Car Rental has an office in Moab 435-259-7317.
-Flying into Moab
Great Lakes Aviation flies from Denver to Moab for $99 each way. They have two flights daily. Scheduled flight times and additional pricing can be found on their website. Or call 800-554-5111 to make a reservation.
For a shuttle from the Moab Airport into town call Coyote Shuttle at 435-259-8656, or Nomad Cab at 435-260-9986.
LODGING
It is a good idea to book your rooms ahead and here are a few recommendations.
Best Western Canyonlands Inn
$160-230
435-259-5167, 800-528-1234
Ramada Inn
$100-200
888-989-1988, 435-259-7141
The Ramada is where the Bighorn Express shuttle from Salt Lake City stops.
Red Stone Inn
$70-90
800-772-1972, 435-259-3500
They have a bike work station with stand and bikes are allowed in your room.
Big Horn Lodge
$90 and up
800-325-6171, 435-259-6171
Cali Cochitta B&B
$125-165
888-429-8112, 435-259-4961
Apache Motel
$50-75
800-228-6882, 435-259-5727
Dream Keeper Inn
$125-185
888-230-3247, 435-259-3247
The Gonzo Inn
$160 and up
800-791-4044, 435-259-2515
Up the Creek Campground
$25-30, $6 showers
435-260-1888
Moab/Canyonlands Central Reservations
800-505-5343
Central Reservations represents every variety of lodging in Moab and will help you choose the ideal room for you.
Above rates are approximate.
PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP
You will receive a tour packing list with your tour confirmation package. Be sure to bring everything on this list. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed! When you arrive for your tour, we will give you a dry bag in which to pack your gear. If you have questions about anything on the list, please call us.
SHIPPING YOUR BIKE
You are welcome to ship your bike to us in advance of your trip. For a moderate fee we will unpack it, build it, and ship it back home to you afterwards. Bikes can be insured to $4,000. Domestic shipping only. If you decide you want to go this route, you must call us in advance of your trip so we can inform the shop that your bike is on its way.
To ship your bike UPS, send it to Western Spirit Cycling, 478 Mill Creek Dr, Moab, UT 84532; 435-259-8732. It is critical that you include your name and tour date on the outside of the box. Check with your local UPS people for the number of days needed for it to arrive in time. There is no Saturday delivery to Moab. It is imperative to have your bike finely tuned and cleaned before your tour so you know it is in top running condition.
If you have any other questions about trip logistics, please feel free to send us an email or, better yet, to call us at 800-845-2453. We will be happy to try to help you answer any other questions you might have about our bike trips.