Klondike Bluffs
Moab, UT
Description
For years, I have tried to find a route of significant mileage in Moab that I can ride solo to no avail. There is the Circle O area with adding on some of the green stuff (Lazy and E Z), but that was not without incident. There’s the green stuff in the Deadhorse Point area, which is probably the most adaptive friendly in Moab, but again, there are some very tricky spots. Be sure to read my blog on that area. The views are unreal!
Klondike Bluffs is my favorite area in Moab. Mostly because of the trail Baby Steps North, which is all slick rock and loaded with little ledgy drops. Probably my favorite trail in all of Moab. It is plenty wide with absolutely zero exposure, so it’s great for adaptive riders with capable equipment. It’s the perfect example of how techy fall-line is no problem for adaptive riders. It’s when a trail traverses and is exposed where we get into trouble!
I was determined to find a loop and not need to perform an out and back. Jeep roads are a great alternative and, honestly, just a part of riding an adaptive bike, especially in an area like Moab. So that’s exactly what this route is. It’s far from the best this area has to offer, but I was able to ride it completely solo. No one touched me. The hardest part is the section of the Baby Steps Loop jeep road after the intersection with Klondike Bluffs Road. It's black for a reason and is actually a hike-a-bike for two-wheeled riders, unless you are Kenny Belaey. I was able to crawl down without incident and my skid plate definitely came in handy.
The views over the back side are beautiful and riding through the meadow on the other side is well worth all the effort. After climbing out of the meadow on Baby Steps North you’ll be on singletrack for the first time after the junction with Little Salty, but it’s pretty much double track, plenty wide and pretty mellow. Baby Steps North, is basically wide open fire road, until this junction. It’s very steep in sections though. Once you reach the junction with Mega Steps, the fun begins. This is the entire reason for this route and its over way to quickly. Be ready for some drops. There’s nothing too daunting here for most adaptive riders, but beginners or those with less capable equipment may require some assistance.
Once to the bottom, you can ride the green trail or the fire road back to the staging area. I prefer the fire road. With my style of bike, I can crank with two arms and get better exercise, as opposed to cranking with one arm on the singletrack. It’s also more direct. By this point, I just really want to get back to the car for a beer.
Staging
There are two options for staging: Klondike South and Klondike North. I prefer south because it’s less crowded, closer to town (therefore less of a drive), and a massive dirt lot. There’s always plenty space. The route listed below stages from Klondike North. Both are simple dirt lots with no facilities.
Klondike South
Klondike North
Trails
Copper Ridge 4x4 (aMTB1) - All wide open jeep road. Can get a pretty sandy in spots. Some slight off-camber with berms and ruts, but most riders will be completely good. Alternatively, green trails to the west can be ridden.
Klondike Bluffs Road (aMTB2) - More jeep road. Can get a little tricky in spots. I rode it no problem, but some riders may need assistance.
Baby Steps Loop (aMTB3) - This is where things get spicy. Very chunky jeep road descent, until you get into the meadow. Most riders will need asssistance. I was able to ride it solo, but I’m an advanced rider with very capable equipment (suspension, clearance, and skid plate)
Baby Steps North (aMTB2) - The only reason I listed this as aMTB2 is because it’s steep in spots. Riders with FWD will need a push probably. Can get mildly tricky in spots , but very do-able for most. Basically a fire road climb until you get to Little Salty juntion. “Singletrack” from there, but basically double track.
Baby Steps North (aMTB2) - It’s a mostly flat traverse (little to no exposure), until you get to the Mega Steps junction. Here’s where the fun begins and best part of the ride! Be ready for some drops!
