You Haven't Lived Until You've Gone On This Utah Adventure
By Catherine Armstrong|Published April 24, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Most Utahns have visited Arches National Park, but many miss out on seeing some of Moab’s most beautiful scenery up close. To really appreciate the Navajo sandstone of this area, hop on your bike and tour the Slickrock Trail.
Slickrock Trail is world-famous, and people come from all over the globe to bike this trail. You'll find the trailhead on Sand Flats Road in Moab.
Because this trail is so popular, the parking lot fills up on weekends. The best time to bike Slickrock is in the spring or fall when the weather is cooler, and weekdays are always less crowded.
The Navajo sandstone here isn't slick - it's actually just the opposite. The sandstone grips your tires much like sandpaper, which makes it possible for you to bike down steep inclines. If you crash though, that same sandpaper surface will inflict some pretty nasty scrapes and abrasions, so take care.
Slickrock is rated as difficult, and is best suited for people with mountain biking experience. However, there is a two-mile-long practice loop that's perfect for novices. Regardless of your experience level, you'll want to wear your bike helmet on this ride, and bring plenty of water.
Slickrock is an adventure that every Utahn should take at some point. Whether you stick to the practice loop, tackle the full trail but hike up the steep sections, or go full-on, hardcore through the entire loop, it's an experience you won't want to miss.