Hello friends!

Well, we are smack in the middle of a week in Moab. Not our official start to 6 months on the road, but a good week to test out the new solar, mountain bike in Moab and most importantly visit family we haven’t seen in 16+ years and show them around our Utah playground.

Probably our biggest unknown with this whole trip? Has anyone else been to Moab during spring break season without reservations?! Cause we just did. And while I would never suggest it to anyone traveling from afar, we made it work with some back road BLM camping for 5 days, then snagging another site for a couple of days early Thursday morning at Horsethief Campground near Dear Horse Point SP.

BLM Camping at Klondike Bluffs, UT

Right now I am watching a curtain of rain march across the bluff towards us. But overall the weather this week has been a perfect 60-70 degrees during the day and 40s at night. We couldn’t have asked for better.

Mountain Biking in Moab for Families

Brand Trails, Ez/Lazy Loop

With 6 kids in our group, and everyone wanting to hit some iconic trails while in Moab, I came prepared with a list of favorites. Our friends, Pedal Adventures, has a very well written post highlighting the beginner/kid-friendly trails in Moab. Be smart like my family, print it out, and stick it in your back pocket before coming to town.

OK Corral at Brands Trailhead

On Day 1 we rode the Brand Trails out by Bar M. The EZ/Lazy loop is the perfect distance at 3.5 miles for younger kids.  A few members of the group were looking for more saddle time and hit North 40 while the little ones played in OK Corral, a pint-sized bike park perfect for burning an hour or so.

Brand Trails, Ez/Lazy Loop

On Day 2 I took the crew over to the infamous Slick Rock Trail, opting for the 2.3 mile Practice Loop. I am so glad I did because our crew of kids were exhausted from the short steep climbs and descents that mark this ride. Even if you aren’t comfortable riding the trail, make sure to hike it as the views are amazing and the novelty of hiking on sandstone rock while following a painted line, is super fun for those who haven’t done it.

Slick Rock Trail, Moab, UT

While we played on Slick Rock, the more advanced riders rode Porcupine Ridge.

We don’t have a lot of (extended) family, so if someone comes (anywhere near) to town, you make sure to meet up. When my wife’s cousin says they are coming to Moab to mountain bike, it is doubly good. Got to see some of the best of what Moab has to offer on porcupine rim today, and it was deeply enjoyed by all.

A post shared by Chris Erickson (@cperickson) on Apr 2, 2018 at 1:56pm PDT

On Day 3 everyone joined us out at our camp and we did an 11 mile ride on Jurassic / Dino Flow at Klondike Bluffs. I highly suggest all of these trails!

Klondike Bluff Trails

Horsethief Campground

We are slowly learning, that while we love free camping, and don’t mind BLM, we get sort of lonely when we are out there by ourselves for days on end. Even if it is at the trailhead of some awesome rides. So we opted to move to a campground for the rest of the week.

Horsethief Campground, Moab

If you are looking for a great place to spend a few days and bike or hike straight from camp, I suggest you check out Horsethief Campground. All the sites are First Come First Serve, but especially on weekdays, if you come before 11 am, you will likely find a site. The trails from camp are awesome; I especially liked the Mustang Loop that starts on the other side of the main road. There are two .5 mile easy green loops for the kids to play around on right by camp.

Chisholm Trail, Horsethief, UT

Horsethief is 15 minutes from Dead Horse Point State Park and Island in the Sky Visitors Center. We spent a day hiking to Whale Rock, Mesa Arch and exploring the sections of Island in the Sky that we hadn’t yet. It was refreshing to escape the crowds found in Moab and in Arches National Park.

Coney Island Trail, Moab, UT

Fiery Furnace

Lastly, because we were here for a week+, we grabbed a permit to do the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park. Permits are hard to come by and it was a fluke that there were openings on a day we could do it.

Fiery Furnace hike, Arches National Park

I plan on writing a whole post with tips for snagging a permit, hiking it without a guide, etc. But for now, know it is a blast!

Which way do you think the “trail” goes? Hint, it is NOT where the people are heading… Fiery Furnace hike, Arches National Park

We head home soon to finalize some details but hope to embark on our long trip across the U.S. here in the next few weeks! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more details.

See you on the trail,

Alyssa