With literally years of riding in Moab, we are always looking for new trails. Last year the Long Awaited Mag 7 trail finally became a reality making it possible to ride from the Gemini Bridges trail head to the bottom of poison spider or a more difficult route, the legendary Portal Trail.
We decided it was time for a technical taste test...
Guthrie called and arranged with Chili bikes for a shuttle, however it didn't leave until nine and after a 4 a.m. start we arrived in Moab at seven. Determined not to waste any time, we rode the new north 40 trail in the Moab brand trails section. It is a fairly easy, nice flowy singletrack that was a good beginning to a long day.
The beginning of the Mag 7 was difficult to ride. Not because it is overtly technical, but because the scenery is amazing. Multiple times we left the trail mistakenly because our eyes were taking in the scenery.
At the top after the shuttle dropped us off there were 50 or so riders getting ready to go. We started off fast to break away from the pack and for the most of the day had the trails to ourselves.
The trail essentially follows well established jeep trails (gemini, gold bar rim, golden spike) which we had ridden before, only now, all singletrack.
The decision comes when gold bar meets golden spike. Following golden spike will get you down poison spider, is technically easier and there is a less likely hood of getting lost.
Or, you can follow Goldbar very steeply to the rim, connect with an extremely technical trail only known as the "blue dot trail", then descend via the cliff edged Portal trail.
We chose this route.
After climbing the Gold Bar Rim trail we had Lunch with a view atop a 1,000 foot cliff overlooking 191 as it enters Moab.
It was here we began Blue dot.
I think the blue dot trail may be one of the most technical trails in Moab. It is never ending body shifting, ledge dropping, steep climbing, boulder hopping goodness.
With Guthrie's new Stumpy Evo he was trying everything there was to offer, it was impressive to say the least. I rode most of it, but chose to dismount and walk a few sections to "take pictures".
The trail also winds along the cliff edge, right along the cliff edge in places.
Notice the Blue "caution" sign written on the rock.
After about 6 miles (which seems like 20) of this technical treat, the trail reconnects with poison spider near the portal descent.
I would call the portal trail a ride-a-hike trail. It is not overly technical (although at the bottom when it leaves the cliff edge it is) , but combine that with a 1,000 drop on one side and a vertical cliff on the other and it is slightly nerve racking. Add in the three signs that say, "dismount now and walk, some one died here" and it is a different experience all together.
We walked some, but rode more.
After reaching the road, it was back into town and subway to lunch, then on to our third then fourth trail of the day.
The third trail was literally 1.5 miles of a sandy road, riddled with four wheelers and dust, heading out the Monitor and Merrimac buttes. Needless to say, after riding prime singletrack for 4 hours we were in no mood to ride a sandy road.
We returned to the car and headed out to Klondike bluffs, where we did a quick out and back on Dino Flow and little salty. A nice smooth flowy end to a 40 mile, workout of a day.
Driving home, we realized this was a day we will never forget.
The Mag 7, Blue Dot, Portal trail system is a technical feast that will work you physically and mentally. I would recommend it for strong riders who love adventure.
We will be doing it again.
Hi thanks for postiing this
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