Hey y’all,
Never done a ride report before, but I wanted to share a bit of my trip in the hopes it inspires or informs future travelers. This was my 2nd bikepacking trip, and my partners 1st. My partner and I set off around 11 AM on Monday, starting at the traditional starting point, intending to go clockwise. We made it to La Sal on the first day at about 6 pm. Most of the riding was chill, double-track, and pavement. The highlight riding-wise was mile 33 to ~39, some solid downhill after a steep climb. Nothing mind blowing, but a nice descent and views worth taking time to appreciate. A theme that grows throughout the trip. We managed to make it to the mile 63 campsite. Unfortunately, it had been a long day, and we set up the tent in the dark on uneven terrain. It made for poor sleep, but waking up the next day on the edge of a mesa overlooking the last 60 miles we had just ridden was truly special. I highly recommend this campsite, but get there early to find a flatter spot.
Day two, our plan was to get out early, get past Steelbender, and grab a nice air-conditioned hotel room in Moab. The decision to push ourselves on day one and have a shorter day 2 was the absolute best decision. We felt great after the climb up to the steelbender trail, but there's no sugar coating the absolute slog of the 4×4 route. While we are glad we conquered the Steelbender section, we were glad to leave it behind and talk shit about it for the remainder of the trip. Make no mistake, the canyons and views on this section are stunning. A point one must remind themself constanly as they hike their bike up and down miles of rock slabs and sand traps.
Day 3 was epic. Setting off at around 9 am, it was easily one of the most incredible days I had on a bike. Immaculate views, scorching 95-degree heat, and water rationing were just some of the highlights. The cool morning ride along the Colorado River and into Kane Springs Canyon was pure bliss. A spiritual experience only interrupted by the occasional dust storm created by UHV’s and Jeeps. After topping out on Hurrah Pass, we felt very confident about our goal of hitting Hamburger Rock that evening. A plan that only hours later would be upended by scorching heat and a realization that we probably didn't bring enough water. Blissfully unaware of our future suffering, the descent from Hurrah Pass was completely wild and an experience I would play on repeat if I could. After making our way to Chicken Corners and getting a few frozen water bottles from some friendly UHV riders, the challenge really began. We both struggled with the heat. After the pass at mile 117, we began our pattern of riding for 30 minutes, then chilling in the shade for 15 minutes. It made progress woefully slow, but at this point, riding was unsafe, so it made sense to just listen to our bodies and move at a pace that felt manageable. We get into Lockhart Basin around 7 PM. At this point, the temps had fallen to a point where we could put in serious miles, and we rolled into Hamburger Rock around 10 PM.
I had brought 7 Liters, and my partner had 6 liters. By the morning of day 4, we collectively had 1 liter left. We cruised down to the Needles outpost and restocked with water, snacks, and good vibes from 4 thru-hikers on the Hayduke trail we passed at night the day before. The final stretch was a stunning road ride through more stunning landscape. Overall, this trip was incredible, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a good romp through some genuinely stunning landscapes.
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by Ac23rush