Bartlett
Wash - Quintessential Moab Slickrock!
Located about 18 miles north of Moab
A great introduction to slickrock riding
The ride can be as long as you want it to be.
Once you are here, there is unlimited slickrock
to ride on.
The views of the La Sal's and the surrounding
area can't be beat!
Bartlett Wash
- Many people who visit and ride in the Moab area
will leave saying that Bartlett Wash was one of
their favorite rides. The reasons are clear as
to why this is such a gem. Bartlett Wash is prime
slickrock riding. Not like the actual slickrock
trail, where you essentially follow a dotted line
the whole way (this is to ensure that you don't
get lost). Bartlett Wash is a playground of slickrock,
where your riding can take you only as far as
your taste for exploration will take you. Once
you arrive at the parking area, there is a little
bit of a challenging uphill section to get you
to the flatter part of this expansive rock formation.
However, once you get up to where it levels off,
you can see all of the possibilities. Slickrock
is everywhere!
Another great thing is that this
is a relatively tame ride if you want it to be.
If you haven't biked a lot, then this is a great
starter ride to test out your balance and to get
used to your bike. If it is too challenging, you
can always walk your bike through the more difficult
sections. If you have experience, then there are
always places that you can "up the difficulty
level here." There are usually other folks
riding here, but it doesn't ever seem to get too
crowded. Getting lost would be hard to do too.
There are lots of obvious points of reference,
and a pretty common-sense flow to the ride.
The end of the ride is a place
where the rocks rise just a bit in elevation in
several places. This a great location to park
the bike and just hang out to absorb the amazing
view around you. The snow-capped La Sal's will
be one obvious point of reference for you. Bring
your camera. You'll be able to take some amazing
photos here.
The ride is about 18 miles out
of town. From downtown Moab, drive north about
18 miles on US Hwy 191 until you see Blue Hills
Road. On this road just go about 2.5 miles and
then turn left on a dirt branch of the road. After
that, drive .8 mile to a fork in the road. Go
straight about a half mile (instead of going right,
which takes you to an alternate parking spot).
Cross a sandy wash (if your car can make it -
we recommend higher clearance vehicles for this
one) and then continue up the hill. Turn right
and stay to the right. About a 1/2 mile from the
wash is a pretty obvious parking area. Lots of
trees around, and you'll likely see other cars.
The ride starts here.
We highly recommend getting a
map before heading off to do this ride. The area
here can be a bit confusing if you don't have
a map. The visitor's center in Moab is the best
place to get information about this ride, or any
other ride. For information on the Moab
Visitor Center - Click Here
And of
course, the best way to enjoy Moab and the best
rides it has to offer is by coming along on a
Western Spirit Bike Trip! Give us a call at 1-800-845-2453
for booking and trip information.
