Amasa Back
 
 
This day brought rainfall in the morning. Unable to ride we headed into town and cruised the shops and bike stores. As noon approached the rain let up a bit and we decided to head to Amasa Back Trail on the advice of several bike shops. As it turned out lots of other riders got the same advice so the trail was busy. Nonetheless we had a great ride despite riding through some rain and hail. We highly recommend this challenging trail.
Moab 2007: Day 3
The Amasa Back trailhead.
Rob and Steve prepping for the ride.
The “dry sandy wash” the guidebooks referred to was flowing swiftly with run-off from rain and snow.
Most riders took off their shoes to cross.
Rob wading across the creek.
Steve and Rob after crossing the creek.
Riders pushing up the steep hill after the creek crossing.
Rob and Steve hike-a-bike out of the creek crossing.
Just after we start climbing Steve’s chain breaks. He is sending a message to the bike shop that “fixed” his bike.
Time for some chain repair.
John climbing Amasa Back Trail.
Rob climbing Amasa Back Trail.
There was some spectacular desert plants in bloom along the way.
Before it started to rain...then it began to hail.
We thought about turning back, but decided to continue on.
Time to put on the “rain gear.”
Steve checks out a squall over “Fins and Things”
The slickrock, even when wet, was not that slippery.
The “Cliffhanger” portion of the trail. That’s about an 800’ drop down to the canyon floor.
Rob rides down the slickrock rim.
Rob, Steve and John take a break under threatening skies.
Steve and Rob continuing the climb up the Amasa Back viewpoint.
The Amasa Back viewpoint was incredible. From here we re-traced our tracks.
The group poses with the Colorado River waaaaaay down below us.
Close-up of the group.
After heading back for a while we take a break along the edge.
Rob and Steve taking in the view.
Taking some funny pics.
Steve and the rim part of the Amasa Back Trail.
Rob descending back into the canyon where we parked.
There was a good mix of dirt, slickrock, ledges ad jumps.
Some of the cliffs above the Amasa Back Trail.
Rob jumps a small ledge at speed.
After jumping a ledge Steve got a burp flat in his new tubeless tires.
Steve checks out the spot he jumped....
...And continues pumping up his tire.
John and Steve on a ledge over the creek. Note: Rob’s truck on the middle right of the photo.
Rob pointing to his truck.
Rob takes in the view.
Rob riding a sketchy section heading down to the creek.
Since the truck is close Rob chooses to ride across this time.
....And so does Steve.
Rob climbing the last bit of singletrack before returning to the trailhead.
The last section before the trailhead is unrideable by mortals.
Steve, Rob and John after the ride in the trailhead “parking lot.”
Hamming it up.
Steve looks tired. This was a long, vigorous ride.
Time for a reward.
Steve getting fresh with John.
Cheers to another good ride!
Rob and John toast.
Here’s to Bruno!
Rob stowing the bikes.
Can you tell these bikes have been to Moab?
Close-up of Mars-red Moab dirt.
After the ride we head to Poison Spider Bicycles again to clean and tune the bikes....
...And send more red dirt down the drain.