Peaks & Plateaus

• This is a challenging route as far as timing goes. You will want to make sure that the snow is melted on the southeastern portion of the route (see Resources tab), and you’ll also want to keep an eye on the heat. One of the beautiful parts of this route is that the prime riding season is during times of transition. In the spring you will be greeted with wildflowers and new growth on bushes and trees, while riding the the fall will showcase the start of seasonal decay with bright yellow cottonwood leaves.
• Be prepared for hot days and cold nights, all within the same 24-hour period. Study the weather and know what you’re getting into. 
• The best bike for this route is a hardtail mountain bike.
• Hunting season is quite popular in the southeastern portion of the route during the fall, so keep that in mind. 
• Be prepared for long stretches without water. Study the map and know what you’re getting into. 
• You must pack out your poop. Moab is a highly-visited area and the area’s desert soil is not conducive to decomposition. Moab’s tourism authority clearly states on their website, “When developed facilities are not available, all solid waste should be packed out in approved waste bags.” Learn how here.
• Desert LNT rules apply: Since there is no organic soil in arid lands, the moisture and organisms that usually break down human waste in catholes are not present. In these situations, it is best to pack out human waste along with your other garbage. If you do make catholes, they rely on the heat of the sun to help break down the waste so the holes should not be too deep. Also, toilet paper should be packed out rather than covered in the cathole. Locating catholes on south-facing slopes, well away from trail, camp, and waterways (even if currently dry) will maximize decomposition and minimize impact.
• Monticello is a great town to stay in before the start or to get things for your trip.
• Moab is also a good option if you’re coming to the area from the north.
• There are no toilets at the start, and limited parking, but there are a handful of primitive camping spots on Hart Point Road (137).
• If you don’t think you can carry enough water between Moab and the finish, you should consider a water drop in or near Lockhart Basin. 
• Make sure to stay alert on paved stretches and bring bright clothing and/or lights. 

• There are many primitive camping options on the route, and you should not have a hard time finding camping. I noted a few spots on the map where I have either camped or seen a good flat spot to pitch a tent.
• Monticello has hotels that you can stay in before you start your trip.
• Heed “no camping” signs; there are a few areas where it is not allowed, such as around Harrah Pass. 
• The closest paid camp spots are Hamburger Rock and Wind Whistle Campgrounds. Both have pit toilets.
• Some established campgrounds either require reservations or are first come, first served. Keep this in mind during your planning process.
• Cryptobiotic crust is an extremely fragile, living community of organisms found in the desert. It retains moisture and provides protection against erosion, giving other plantlife a foothold. DO NOT ride or camp in these areas. Camp in pre-established dispersed campgrounds. 

• La Sal store has everything you need, including a microwave to heat up some frozen food they sell. Also a bathroom.
• Moab has bike shops, grocery stores, and plenty of restaurants. Milt’s is on the route, and Dave’s convenience store is right next to it. 
• No water source in this area should be relied upon, but there are a few options marked on the map, namely Mill Creek, Kane Springs Creek, and Indian Creek.
• Accessing the Colorado River is not only dangerous but very challenging, especially with the overgrowth of invasive Tamarisk. 

After scrolling through photos of a Lockhart Basin bikepacking trip that Nicholas Carman and Lael Wilcox did in 2013, I was determined to make a loop that included that stunning stretch. But the challenge here is actually connecting roads that don’t dead-end as many do in the Canyonlands area. After a number of bikepacking trips in this region over the past decade, and finally coming up with a loop that I thought would work, my partner and I pedaled a version of this route in 2017. It was a stunning experience that made me want to come back and improve upon it.

Last year, I was set to do just that in late February, but I was turned away due to snow. Moab has a rather short weather window for enjoyable riding. While the summers are hot and dry, the winters are typically cold and wet. I had to delay that trip to this year, and after asking friends who live in Moab, looking at U-dot webcams, checking Open Snow snowpack data, and generally keeping an eye on the weather in the area, I determined the route was good to go. Four friends and I were there the next day to scout this new version, taking in everything I found on previous trips and linking together as much dirt as possible and offering a range of perspectives of the La Sal Mountains, Abajos Mountains, Uncompahgre Plateau, and even the mighty San Juans mountains.

Additional Resources

• All Access Open Snow App for weather resources: opensnow.com
• Utah DOT webcams. I look at the two between Moab and Monticello (I waited to go on the trip until after all the snow melted on all 4 cameras): udottraffic.utah.gov
• La Sal, UT Weather – Typically one of the coldest parts on the route: weather.gov
• Moab, UT Weather – Typically one of the warmest parts on the route: weather.gov
• LNT for bikepacking: bikepacking.com
• LNT in the arid climates: leavenotracedude.com