St George/Moab Trip April 2011

Day One:- Hurricane Cliffs Trail System 
This ride was fairly non-technical,  a few long, gradual climbs make it challenging and there are a few surprises on the section plus some of the corners are super fast, but if you over cook ‘em, you can fly right off the trail in a hurry(as I did destroying my camera). This is a 21 mile loop incorporating the Jem Trail and Hurricane Rim, we also did an out and back above a river which was a little nervy descending as you are pretty close to the edge(photo below). 
This was a great day to break me in for what was to come.

Day Two:- Gooseberry Mesa

I thought I was good with heights until I hit the trails here, it took me a couple of miles before I had the confidence to follow the guys around some tight bends just a couple of feet from a 600'+ drop. This trail was spectacular, riding the north and then the south rim with a little bit of slickrock thrown in for good measure in the interior.

The slickrock here was great only small climbs and some nice technical trails popping in, out and over the formation.

Day Three:- Slickrock Trail, Moab
The promised land, this is the ride that made Moab I had already ridden slickrock at Gooseberry and wasn't to worried about what to expect. On the practice loop I soon became a little concerned this was  much more difficult, some of the climbs were over 30ft at 45 degree + gradients and the drops well my butt spent alot of time mm's from the rear wheel.

On the slickrock above the Colorado River

3 hours in this playground was quite a tough workout at this altitude you spend alot of time in oxygen debt at the constant interval sessions you are doing.

Day Four:- Amasa Back
An out and back trail with an insanely steep initial descent followed technical climb up steps and ledges for 3 miles before you reach the top of Buzzards Bluff an easier section high above the desert floor for a couple of miles after which it was time to explore. Retracing the route was a fast paced rocky adrenalin rush.

Day Five:- Porcupine Rim
Next to the slickrock this is one of Moab's most notorious trails. There is a nasty 4 mile climb up from the parking lot to 6800' and then its all downhill but first you have take in the view from the rim which is absolutely breathtaking. The descent is very technical but it induces a perma-grin when riding over the ledges off boulders and towards the bottom you are swooping down boulder strewn singletrack 3ft from a couple of hundred ft drop into the Colorado river dicing with a certain visit to the A&E if you make any mistake even death.  My advice don't admire the view.

Can't wait to go back, looking for some volunteers for the next trip. Must take a full sus though as I was battered, and riding the slickrock would be much more fun.