Moab La Sal Mountain Loop

Castle Rock Moab is known world wide for its mountain biking. It has some great road cycling, too. The Moab La Sal Mountain Loop follows the stunning La Sal Loop Scenic Drive. This route has great views of the La Sal Mountains, of Moab, and of Castle Valley. There are some pretty hard climbs but as seen in the elevation profile below there is a gradual climb for a warm-up, then two hard climbs separated by moderate climbs where you can recover. Then you are at the overlook and the hard climbing is done. Maybe three hours. Then it is downhill all the way to the Colorado River where you can either go back to Moab following the dramatic Colorado canyon or go upstream to ride by the Fisher Towers to the historic Dewey Bridge. The Colorado River Canyon is a great ride through the red sandstone with the blue sky, and the green trees lining the river. The river can be green, blue, or brown depending on the flow. Once back to US191, drop under the highway at the park instead of crossing at grade then follow US191 back to Moab. The best time of the year is in the spring or fall. The temperatures in Moab can get into the 100's in the summer and with winter is very cold. The La Sal's get quite a bit of snow in the winter. Moab Century Area Map    There are no places to get water or food along the way so be prepared. The best direction is counter-clockwise so that you climb the steepest slopes but then you can let loose on the more gradual descents in the Castle Valley. Getting There: Start in Moab somewhere near 300 and Mill Creek Dr. Distance: ~95 (6,515') / 65 miles. Roadway: The La Sal Loop has essentially no traffic. US191 has heavy traffic but there are shoulders. UT128 has moderate traffic but manageable. Moab has heavy traffic most of the time but there are 4-lanes and numerous traffic lights which slow the traffic, so riding in town is not a problem. There are lots of pedestrian and bicycle traffic in town. Notes: Once leaving Moab there is no water or food available along the way so be prepared. Options: Bring or rent a mountain bike if you have the time. Poison Spider Bicycles La Sal Loop Description and more road rides in the area. There is a nice ride out to Arches National Park. Also see Biking Arches. Another nice ride is out to Dead Horse Point State Park (Go-Utah) on UT313, the road to Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky. There is a great Information Center at the center of Moab.

Moab La Sal Loop Cuesheet // 95 Miles, 6,515' Elevation Gain. Mileage Waypoint Leg Description 0 E 300S and 191 Take 300 east about .4 miles to Mill Creek .4 Mill Creek Right (south) on Mill Creek. .5 Mill Creek Mill Creek jogs left. At 1 mile pass the turnoff to the Slickrock Area, Sandflat Rd. 2.1 Spanish Valley Rd Turn left on Spanish valley Rd. The road is rough so going is a bit slower. Also there is a rise of about 1100' in the first hour. 8.75 La Sal Loop Rd Turn left on the La Sal Loop Rd. There's a sign. Begin serious climbing. There are several steep climbs but they are separated by moderate climbs where you can recover. The views of the Las Sal Mountains are well worth the work. ~25 Overlook About 4,700' of climbing at this point. Stunning overlook of the Castle Valley below and the nearby Las Sal Mountains above. The descent begins finally. Watch out for initial sharp turns, narrow roads, and dirty surface. 33 Gateway Rd. Turn left (west) down Castle valley. Fast gradual descent. Who needs stinkin' brakes. Really stunning view of Castle Rock. 45 UT128, Colorado River Colorado River. In either direction follow the river through dramatic sandstone cliffs along the river. Turn left for a 65 mile loop back to Moab. Turn right to ride to the Dewey Bridge and u-turn there for a century. 60 Dewey Bridge Dewey Bridge. The historic bridge is alongside the current bridge. Turnaround here.   UT128 & US191 Follow the bikepath under the bridge. Turn south on US191. There is heavy traffic on US191 but there are shoulders most of the way into town. 95 US191 & E 300 S Starting location.

Elevation Profile

Total elevation gain is about 6,515'. Note the almost 4000' elevation difference from Moab to the overlook.