AMASA BACK
What would a local tell you?
TRAIL SYSTEM
HyMasa
Ride up or down. Climb to the top of Lower Ahab or Upper Ahab
Start of Trail: Begins at Kane Creek road and offers an alternate to the jeep road down to Kane Creek. Uses Amasa Back road briefly to cross the creek and get up the switchback. Ride across the creek and up past Lower Ahab exit to top of switchback before starting second part of the singletrack.
Description: Physically demanding, technical, for seasoned intermediate and advanced riders. Trail was designed as a singletrack climbing route to the top of Captain Ahab. The singletrack to the top of Upper Ahab climbs about 600 ft. Average grade is 13%. The track crosses the Amasa Back road 3 times and the Minesweeper road once.
UPPER AND LOWER CAPTAIN AHAB
Upper Captain Ahab
Upper section of the Classic Ahab Trail. Usually ridden from top of HyMasa to the start of Lower Ahab. Expect more climbing.
Start of Trail: You must ride up the Cliff Hanger jeep road about 2 miles to gain access to the start of Ahab (~700 ft climb). You can start at the mid-point of Ahab by turning left after 1.7 miles on the road. Otherwise continue to the viewpoint to Upper Ahab.
Description: Physically demanding, technical, for expert riders. The trail is not all downhill. Trail starts at an elevation of about 4500ft and ends at about 4200ft. The trail climbs about 1000 ft through the trail. Trail is along cliff edges in places and has a plethora of technical punchy uphills and downhill. Trial will have steep climbs, drops, steep technical downhill moves. The ride is on slickrock, ledges, dirt veneer of the Kayenta Formation and offers grand views of Behind The Rocks and the La Sal Mountains.
Lower Captain Ahab
Start of Trail: You must ride up the Cliff Hanger jeep road about 2 miles to gain access to the start of Ahab (~700 ft climb). You can start at the mid-point of Ahab by turning left after 1.7 miles on the road. Otherwise continue to the viewpoint to Upper Ahab.
Description: This is a one-way trail. Classic Moab downhill riding. Physically demanding, technical, for expert riders. The trail have punchy uphill moves, cliff ledges, drops and steep technical descents. Not for beginner riders. The ride is on slickrock, ledges, dirt veneer of the Kayenta Formation and offers grand views of Behind The Rocks and the La Sal Mountains.
Amasa Back
also known as Cliff Hanger Jeep Road
Alternative uphill to the top of HyMasa or Upper Ahab. Utilized by Jeeps.
Start of Trail: The Amasa Back Trail is a jeep trail that climbs about 1000 feet to a mesa top overlooking the Colorado River and the Kane Creek Anticline. Starts directly off Kane Creek Road. Ride uphill from the Amasa Back parking lot to the start of the Amasa Back/Cliffhanger Road. Amasa back Jeep Road crosses the HyMasa trail 3 times before the viewpoint.
Description: Physically challenging, technically moderate/difficult. Total climb is about 1410 feet. Average grade is about 10%. Ledgy 4WD road. The trail surface is mostly Kayenta Sandstone and has many small ledges (less than 1’) and a few bigger ones. Challenging and fun for experienced mountain bikers only a short bike ride from town.
Pothole
Intermediate to advanced riders. Physically demanding.
Start of Trail: Ride from the top of Hymasa and follow Cliffhanger to access Pothole Arch Trail. Jacksons Trail intersects Cliffhanger, continue on Cliffhanger to Pothole Arch Trail.
Description: Slickrock slabs, rocky singletrack, punchy uphill climbs with some steep descents. Ending at the pothole arch. Total climb going to the arch from Cliff Hanger is approximately 230 ft. Rockstacker Trail intersects Pot Hole right before the reaching the Arch. Surface is sandstone, then dirt across a flat mesa, then slickrock hills out to the arch.
Rockstacker
For advanced riders. Can be ridden in both directions.
Start of Trail: This trail connects the Jackson Trail and the Pothole Arch trail. Often ridden starting at Pothole Arch Trail to connect to Jackson Trail.
Description: Trail starts with steep, commiting and challenging downhill moves. From there the trail over 500ft, with steep, punchy uphill moves, ledges. Sharp, steep switchbacks are prevalent. Physically demanding and technically difficult. You will climb about 350 feet going up to the Jacksons Trail. Ride is mostly sandstone with steep climbs and steeper descents.
Jackson
Physically demanding, technical, for advanced riders.
Start of Trail: Trail starts at the base of Rockstacker or via a connector trail off Cliffhanger.
Description: The trail is narrow, extremely technical and gets close to cliff edges. Beware of exposure, loose rock and steep descents. Creek crossing at the end to connect back to Kane Creek Road.
Reminder: Not recommended during hotter months or after rain. Always check the creek crossing before deciding to ride the trail. Creek becomes too high for crossing after a rain or if the river is high.