You Trail Mix

Utah's Slickrock Trail - The Most Popular Mountain Bike Trail In The World

The Slickrock Trail is the trail that made Moab the hotbed of the mountain biking world.  It may well be the most popular mountain bike trail in the world. With over 100,000 visitors each year. More properly known as the Slickrock Bike Trail, it was originally first developed by motorcyclists in 1969.  The trail has been taken over by mountain bikers.

Slickrock really isn't an accurate term for the barren red sandstone which is magnetic for bikers from all over the world.  Early settlers couldn't take their metal-shod horses over the rock.  They couldn't get any footing on it.  Hence "Slickrock".  But the traction between the sandstone and fat rubber tires allows riders to seemingly defy gravity.

More Than Just a Bike Trail

The Slickrock Trail is more than just a bike trail.  It is located in an area of extreme beauty.  Both up close and in the distance.  Of course it's important – for your own well-being – to know where your front tire is pointed.  And the desire to come out of the ride in one piece often makes it difficult to enjoy the scenery.

The backdrop of the beautiful La Sal Mountains is stunning.  As are the dramatic cliffs of the Colorado River.  You may find your eyes wandering towards the scenery rather than focusing on where your front tire is going.  The trail crosses the top of an elevated sandstone plateau corralled by cliffs sculpted by the Colorado River and its tributaries.  Enjoy the scenery but be careful.

Challenging.  Exhilarating.  Aggravating.

The Slickrock Trail is only 12 miles (19 km) long.  But you'll have to allow yourself 4 hours as it's a challenging ride.  But exhilarating.  And aggravating at times.  You'll find yourself shifting gears non-stop.  You never seem to get into a comfortable  mode.

It is rated high technical difficulty and high aerobic requirement.  But a lot of below-average riders – both in terms of proficiency and fitness – ride this trail.  It just may require a short hike over some of the tougher spots.

The Slickrock Trail is marked by a series of white dashes and dots painted on the rock.  And the natural inclination is to follow this laid-out path without deviation.  But you may find – especially after riding the trail a few times – that you want to try some of the routes outside the boundaries of the marked trail.  Some which may require more skill and experience.

Tread Lightly

If you venture outside the marked trail, make sure you ride only on rock!  The surrounding landscape is fragile.  Desert vegetation fights for its very existence in this harsh environment.

The cryptobiotic soils – a brown-black and lumpy crust – give life to a unique and rare mix.  Bacteria, algae, lichen, mosses, and fungi.  This crust is absolutely vital for desert life to exist.  One errant tire track or footprint can snuff out decades of growth and development.  And the resulting damage may be irreparable.  It takes 50-100 years for the crust to mature and sustain life.  And that long to repair itself.

If you've never biked the Slickrock Trail, you might want to try the 2.3 mile (3.7 km) Practice Loop.  It's obviously shorter than the main loop.  And gives you a feel for it.  Even lets you say you rode the Slickrock Trail.  And if you want more, you can always attack the main trail.

Getting to the Slickrock Trail

You get to the Slickrock Bike Trail by paying a small fee and entering through the Sand Flats Recreation Area.  And you get there by driving or riding just south of Moab on U.S. 191.

Turn right at the first traffic light onto 400 East.  Drive or ride for 1 mile (1.6 km) to Dave's Corner Market and Millcreek Drive.  Make a right there onto Millcreek Drive.  Go ½ mile (.8 km) to the stop sign.  Take the Sand Flats Road up the hill for 2 ½ miles (4 km) to the Entrance Booth.  Go another .6 mile (1 km) to the large parking lot on the left.

There are bathrooms here but no water.

The area's "Pay to Play" policy is used to help protect and rehab the delicate ecosystem of this high-country desert area.

Fees

Day-use passes are good for 3 days.  $5.00 per vehicle.  If you enter on a bike, it costs $2.00.  In a shuttle or van, it's $2.00 per person.

Sand Flats has:

• 124 campsites spread out over 9 clusters.
• each site has a picnic table and a metal fire ring.
• vault toilets nearby.
• bring your own water!
• camping is $10.00 per night per vehicle for up to 5 people.  Add $2.00 per night for each additional person.
• children 7 years old and under camp free.

When to Visit

Spring and fall are the best times to bike in southern Utah.  Temperatures in mid-summer approach or exceed 100 degrees F (37.7 C).  And mid-winter temperatures can reach below freezing.  But that doesn't mean you can't ride at other time if you're prepared.  Dress for the temperatures.  Bring emergency clothing.  And bring plenty of water.  Dehydration comes on quickly in this dry climate.

a hard drive Trail Mix of Nate Sherwood.

Planters Trail Mix, Energy Mix, 1.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 30) List Price: $24.92 Sale Price: $23.14 You save: $1.78 (7%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description A sweet ans savory mix of nuts, honey roasted sesame sticks, dark chocolate covered soy nuts, and other wholesome ingredients. Features Pack of 30, 1.5 ounce Easy to grab when on the go Blend of expertly roasted nuts, delicious fruits and other prime ingredients

Do You Want to Play - Portland Trail Blazers Sale Price: $0.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product

Trail Mix Sale Price: $48.00 See Reviews For This Product

Barbie Horse Adventures: Mystery Ride Sale Price: $49.99 See Reviews For This Product Description In Barbie Horse Adventure you'll have to find Lucky the show horse! She's disappeared before the championship, and barbie sets off to find her. Features Select the right horse, and keep her happy with good feeding & grooming Head out on horseback to explore forest trails, a prairie town and desert caves in search of clues Jump off the horse & go on foot, seeking clues and solving puzzles as you explore the woods Mix & match outfits to create the perfect riding gear

Advantus Corp. Products - Trail Mix, Yogurt Drop/Sunflower Kernels/Almonds, 2.25oz, 16/BX - Sold as 1 BX - Trail Mix is a delicious alternative for a healthy lifestyle. This tasty snack contains no cholesterol and is unsalted. Great snack if you want to cut back on sodium. Easy-to-carry, single-serving bag packs a delicious medley of peanuts, raisins, yogurt drops, sunflower kernels and almonds. Sale Price: $24.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Advantus Corp. Products - Trail Mix, Yogurt Drop/Sunflower Kernels/Almonds, 2.25oz, 16/BX - Sold as 1 BXTrail Mix is a delicious alternative for a healthy lifestyle. This tasty snack contains no cholesterol and is unsalted. Great snack if you want to cut back on sodium. Easy-to-carry, single-serving bag packs a delicious medley of peanuts, raisins, yogurt drops, sunflower kernels and almonds.Sold as 1 BXManufacturer: Advantus Corp.Total percentage of recycled content: 0Post Consumer Waste: 0Country of origin: US Features Sold as 1 BX Manufacturer: Advantus Corp. Total percentage of recycled content: 0 Post Consumer Waste: 0 Country of origin: US

KIND PLUS, Mango Macadamia + Calcium, Nutritional Boost, Gluten Free Bars (Pack of 12) List Price: $22.80 Sale Price: $17.98 You save: $4.82 (21%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Mango Macadamia + Calcium satisfies the most discerning sweet tooth, with tropical mango and coconut plus Calcium and 50% of the recommended daily value of folic acid & vitamin D and 4g fiber. KIND is more than just a brand of award-winning whole nut and fruit bars made from ingredients you can see and pronounce®- it is also a movement and way of being. At KIND, we aim to make the world a bit kinder through all that we do and how we do it- from the products we create to the way we work, live and give back. And that may be why nutritionists, foodies and social leaders alike all agree that KIND is the best snack around! Features Pack of 12, 1.4-ounce fruit and nut snack bars (total 16.8 ounces) Wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free Low glycemic index. Good source of fiber No hydrogenated oils or trans fats Individually Wrapped, Transparent Packaging

Emerald Breakfast Blend Premium Trail Mix, 5.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6) List Price: $19.08 Sale Price: $14.68 You save: $4.40 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Diamond Foods developed a patented process for glazing nuts and introduced three new trans-fat free trail mixes Breakfast Blend, Berry Blend and Tropical Blend. The trail mixes contain kettle-cooked glazed nuts, fruit and granola clusters. Breakfast Blend contains walnuts and almonds, dried apples and cranberries, yogurt raisins and granola. The mixes are packaged in re-closeable foil pouches. Breakfast Blend and Berry Blend come in 5.5-ounce packages. National distribution has been started after its initial marketing in key regions. Features Pack of 6, 5.5-ounce pouches (Total of 33 ounces) Patented process for glazing nuts and introduced three new trans-fat free trail mixes- breakfast blend, berry blend and tropical blend Contains kettle-cooked glazed nuts, fruit and granola clusters Has a mix of walnuts and peanuts, yogurt raisins, granola and dried blueberries, strawberries and cranberries

Emerald Berry Blend Premium Trail Mix, 5.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6) List Price: $19.08 Sale Price: $14.68 You save: $4.40 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Diamond Foods developed a patented process for glazing nuts and introduced three new trans-fat free trail mixes -- Breakfast Blend, Berry Blend and Tropical Blend. The trail mixes contain kettle-cooked glazed nuts, fruit and granola clusters. Berry Blend has a mix of walnuts and peanuts, yogurt raisins, granola and dried blueberries, strawberries and cranberries. Tropical Blend features walnuts and cashews, granola and coconut, dried mango and pineapple. The mixes are packaged in re-closeable foil pouches. Breakfast Blend and Berry Blend come in 5.5-ounce packages and Tropical Blend is packaged in 6-ounce pouches. Features Pack of 6 5.5-ounce pouches (Total of 33 ounces) Diamond foods developed a patented process for glazing nuts The trail mixes contain kettle-cooked glazed nuts, fruit and granola clusters Has a mix of walnuts and peanuts, yogurt raisins, granola and dried blueberries, strawberries and cranberries

The Opposite of Sick of You Sale Price: $0.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product

Emerald Tropical Blend Premium Trail Mix, 6-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6) List Price: $19.08 Sale Price: $14.68 You save: $4.40 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Emerald Tropical Blend Premium Trail Mix, 6-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6) is a vacation for your taste buds containing glazed walnuts and cashews plus dried mango, pineapple, banana chips and shaved coconut are island sweet. Features Pack of six, 6-ounce pouches(total of 36-ounces) Great tasting, healthy snacks for people on the go Resealable Trail mix bags

Tags: bar, food, nutrition, shopping, web2.0, you trail mix

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 3:11 pm and is filed under organic snacks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Both comments and pings are currently closed.