Description:
If there’s one ride other than the Slickrock Trail that you must ride when in Moab, it’s the fabled Porcupine Rim Trail. That said, this trail is NOT for beginners. Even though all but the crazy do this ride as a shuttle, this ride is a long and demanding downhill, especially if the weather is hot. There are numerous rocky, technical sections that will test the abilities of all riders. Full-suspension bikes are highly recommended. Most people on the trail are running 5”+ travel bikes. The lower sections near the Colorado River are so technical and dangerous that all but the most advanced riders will walk some portions of the trail. But if you ride this trail you will be rewarded with incredible views of Castle Valley and some of the best mountain biking in Moab.
The LPS, or Lower Porcupine Singletrack, option adds an additional two miles of prime singletrack before Porcupine Rim and cuts out the initial climb portion of the traditional Porcupine Rim Trail. LPS is simply some of the best, tightest technical singletrack in Moab. It winds its way along the rim affording breathtaking views of Castle Valley below, and eventually joins the traditional Porcupine Rim Trail, where the route becomes a jeep trail. We highly recommend adding on the LPS to Porcupine Rim for the best ride experience.
The LPS route starts off heading left at a cattle guard on the dirt road. Head northwest perpendicularly away from the road on a singletrack toward the rim of the mesa. After 150 yards you’ll be near the edge of the mesa and the awesome views will start coming one after another. Turn left onto tight, twisty singletrack that parallels the rim edge, affording technical fun riding and awesome views.
After about 1/2 mile you will reach a rocky, steep slot in the rocks heading down to the right. Yes, this is the trail. Most mortals will walk this section through the rocks. The trail descends down to the next lower mesa level and continues on in spectacular fashion until meeting up with the traditional Porcupine Rim Trail (which at this point is a jeep road). There will usually be a collection of riders resting here from the climb up the Porcupine Rim Trail and taking in the spectacular view of Castle Valley far below.
Head down to the dirt road (Porcupine Rim Trail) and continue north. The trail is quite rocky at times, and you may have to contend with jeep or ATV traffic as well. Eventually the trail will narrow again and you’ll only see mountain bikers. All the junctions are well signed, so if you pay a little attention you should be able to stay on the obvious, well-worn trail.
After about 10 miles the trail narrows and starts heading along cliffs as it descends in the Colorado River canyon. The views here are stunning, but keep both eyes on the trail when moving as it’s a LONG way down if you go over the side. Warning ! There are some dangerous, technical sections in places.
Continue dropping on the singletrack until you can see where the trail will meet with the highway below. The last canyon that the trail traverses is one of the most technical on the whole route. Most people will have to walk several sections here.
After 12.6 miles the trail ends at Highway 128. It’s here where you have either parked your vehicle or will ride the pavement back into town. The views of the canyon walls and the river along the road make the ride back well worth it - just watch out for those cars!
As you approach Highway 191, watch for the turn off on the right for the Moab bike trail, which will cross safely under the highway and then parallel it back into town.
0.00 LPS Trailhead (turn left at cattle guard on ST)
0.07 After reaching rim head downhill on ST
0.40 Steep notch hike-a-bike down to LPS
1.90 Trail re-joins original Porcupine Rim Trail
2.0-5.0 Many jeep trails split off-stay on signed trail
6.03 Slickrock section
9.38 Go right after rope gates to begin singletrack
10.59 Singletrack becomes exposed at edge of cliff
12.60 Trail ends at Highway 128
18.90 Back to Poison Spider Bicycles
Trailhead:
The traditional Porcupine Rim trailhead is about 10 miles east of Moab on Sand Flats Road. After passing the Sand Flats entry gate (where you will have to pay an entry fee), the traditional Porcupine Rim trailhead is approximately seven miles ahead. There are usually a number of vehicles parked here, so it’s hard to miss.
The LPS trailhead is approximately 4.9 miles farther up Sand Flats road past the Porcupine Rim trailhead parking lot just before a cattle guard. At the cattle guard there are two obvious singletracks heading northwest. One trail follows the fence line back the way you came up. The other heads out perpen-dicularly from the road to the rim (take this one).
Notes:
I recommend taking a shuttle service from Moab to wherever you begin this ride. Our route ends at Poison Spider Bicycles because we took the Porcupine Shuttle which operates from Poison Spider. There are also shaded, public bike stands at Poison Spider Bikes where you can clean your bike and get it ready for the next ride. Another option, instead of riding back into town on the road, would be to leave a car at the trail’s end at Highway 128.
To ensure a smooth ride I suggest booking your shuttle service from Moab a day or two in advance. I also recommend starting early in the day as this is a long ride, even with no technical difficulties.
Make sure you are well prepared for this ride due to its length and rough terrain. Extra tubes, pump, lots of liquids and food, first aid supplies, sunscreen, etc. For the best prevention of cramping and bonking take a look at my riding nutrition page.