November 22-24, 2025 90.9 miles, 6591 ft. elev gain
The White Rim Trail (link) is a classic mountain bike ride in Moab, UT. I know this for a fact, since Lisa and I first rode it in 1988 – 37 years ago. We chose a clockwise direction over three days, mostly because of camping permits. In this direction, it also has a net descent of 800 ft from rim to rim, which is a bonus.
Day 0. John Raguse and I left Fort Collins at 10 am for the 6 1/2 hour drive to Canyonlands National Park in Utah. Remarkably, I-70 was clear of snow, the result of a 23% of normal snow pack.
After a quick stop in Grand Junction to refuel, we were on our way, making it to Horsethief campground with a 1/2 hour of daylight to spare. Brendan and Abby arrived a 1/2 hour before us and got a campsite – there were plenty.
Day 1. Started out slow, to let the frost clear from the tents – a theme repeated for the rest of the trip. After transferring gear to Brendan’s Tundra and dropping off my truck at the Overloop parking lot, we were off at 10 am. I drove down Schafer so I could take video, and started my ride about 10 miles in.
After a short stop at Musselman Arch, we continued on, making it to Gooseberry campsite by 2 PM, leaving plenty of time to set up the big tent, cook dinner, and get the propane heater going before sunset. With clear skies, the temperatures drop into the 30s quickly. Running on low, the heater easily kept the tent in the 60s.
Day 2. At 38 miles, it was 10 miles longer than the first day. We spent an hour or so checking out Holman slot canyon, and it took a while to push our bikes up the Hogback, so we did not make it to camp until 3pm. Luckily, the day was warm – in the 60s – and we had plenty of time to set up camp. Are a smaller portion of steak, rice, and salad, it was back to the tent to avoid the cold. A short trip outside to take photos of the stars and into the sleeping bags by 8 PM. I sleep so well camping, it must be the exercise, cool temperatures, and a clear mind.
Day 3. It was only 15 miles to the top of the canyon, and I drove all but the first 6 miles. “I have to fly my drone” was my excuse. It worked, and I avoided the big climb out on Mineral Bottom Road, just saying. I will mention that the climb up and out of the Potato Bottom Basin was just as technical and tight as Murphy Hogback – Brendan drove this section.