The Maze- 5 Day Trip

MEETING TIME AND PLACE

This trip will meet at 7:00am MST at Western Spirit, 478 Mill Creek Drive, Moab, Utah. You will need to spend the night before in Moab. We will be happy to pick you up at your hotel, please call us Mon-Fri, 9-5 to schedule your pickup. Muffins, scones, fruit and coffee will be served.

ENDING TIME AND PLACE

We will return to Western Spirit between 4:30-5:30 pm on the last day.

ITINERARY

TRIP DAY 1

We will begin our tour with a shuttle to the Hans Flat Ranger Station, just outside the Maze District. The Maze is the most remote region of Canyonlands National Park and the scenery is incredible. The Maze itself is a network of intricate canyons that carve their way through the Cedar Mesa formation. Our route over the next few days will take us around the rim of the Maze. This part of the country was home to the notorious "Hole in the Wall Gang" and is full of interesting history. We will begin our ride along the mesa top with views of Cleopatra's Chair, Bagpipe Butte, the Land of Standing Rocks and the Maze itself. Next, we will descend the Flint Trail, an incredible example of early engineering. Blasted into the walls of a box canyon it descends nearly 1,000 feet in two miles, making it an exciting, steep downhill. Continuing on to our camp at the top of the Golden Stairs, we will enjoy views down into the Fins and Ernie's Country, which is where we will be riding during the next few days. TOTAL MILEAGE - 18 miles

TRIP DAY 2

Today will begin with a ride through Elaterite Basin, which includes some steep, technical downhills. Then we'll cruise through Big Water Canyon and on to the Maze Overlook where we will camp for the night. Along the way we'll pass beneath Panorama Point and contour around Horse Canyon. The view from this camp is unsurpassed with the Chocolate Drops, the White Rim, Pete's Mesa and the Abajo Mountains all around us. This afternoon, we will hike down into Horse Canyon to see the Harvest Scene pictograph panel. This panel has human figures painted by the Archaic people of the area and is thousands of years old. TOTAL MILEAGE - 12 miles riding, 3-4 miles hiking

TRIP DAY 3

From our camp at the Maze Overlook, we'll begin by riding back towards the Flint Trail. Today we will ride the steep downhills of Elaterite Basin in reverse. Then we'll swing around beneath Land's End and ride at the base of the Orange Cliffs until we get to the turnoff to our camp. After a fast descent, we'll cruise through the Waterhole Flat area to our camp below Teapot Rock. If we are heading to Sunset Pass to camp we will turn up at the Waterhole Flat junction for a late afternoon climb to camp. From either camp we can go on a hike or relax and take in the scenery. TOTAL MILEAGE - 28 miles

TRIP DAY 4

Today's out and back ride begins with some difficult and challenging technical miles in Teapot Canyon. Riders should use caution and many opt for the "walking the bike" technique in places. As we ride through Red Cove and the Fins, one cannot help but appreciate the incredible scenery. Out to the east lies Ernie's Country and many amazing sandstone formations. In front of us to the north is the spectacular Land of Standing Rocks. Here Lizard Rock, The Wall, The Plug, Standing Rock and Chimney Rock protrude from the ground to create a surreal landscape. After lunch and a bit of exploring we will head back to camp. TOTAL MILEAGE - 28 miles unsupported

TRIP DAY 5

underneath Gunsight Butte and on to Lake Powell. Though it is hidden from view, our course parallels the Colorado River as it cuts its way through Cataract Canyon, a favorite whitewater haunt of river rafters. The riding is quite fun and easy as we cruise along a hard packed dirt road, around numerous corners and past many slickrock pour off canyons. Although there are some climbs, the general trend is downhill. After several miles of cruising, the road opens up and enters a broad, open valley before ending just above Lake Powell. TOTAL MILEAGE - 35 mile

TERRAIN

Road Surface: Four wheel drive jeep roads: packed sediment, ledges, sand and slickrock.
Technical Difficulty: Moderate with some difficult, rocky sections.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate, some long rides, not many big climbs and one unsupported day.
Altitude: 4,000 - 6,000 feet.

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

GETTING THERE

-Driving
Moab is located 30 miles south of Interstate 70 on Highway 191. We have a roomy parking area.

-Flying into Salt Lake City, UT
Airport Code: SLC
From Salt Lake City there are 2 options.

1) Rent a car and drive to Moab, it will take approximately 4 hours. You can park at our shop while you are on your tour.

2) Contact Moab Luxury Coach at 435-940-4212 to make a reservation. They have a limited schedule, so please contact them to find get rates and days they drive.

-Flying into Grand Junction, CO
Airport Code: GJT
From Grand Junction there are now 2 options.

1) Rent a car and drive to Moab, it will take approximately 2 hours. You can park at our shop while you are on your tour.
Thrify Car Rental has an office in Moab 435-259-7317.

2) Contact Moab Luxury Coach at 435-940-4212 to get rates and days that they drive.

-Flying into Moab
Great Lakes Aviation flies from Denver to Moab for $99 each way. They have two flights daily. Scheduled flight times and additional pricing can be found on their website. Or call 800-554-5111 to make a reservation.

For a shuttle from the Moab Airport into town call Coyote Shuttle at 435-259-8656, or Rising Star Taxi at 435-210-4438.

LODGING

It is a good idea to book your rooms ahead and here are a few recommendations.

Best Western Canyonlands Inn
$160-230
435-259-5167, 800-528-1234

Ramada Inn
$100-200
888-989-1988, 435-259-7141
The Ramada is where the Bighorn Express shuttle from Salt Lake City stops.

Red Stone Inn
$70-90
800-772-1972, 435-259-3500
They have a bike work station with stand and bikes are allowed in your room.

Big Horn Lodge
$90 and up
800-325-6171, 435-259-6171

Cali Cochitta B&B
$125-165
888-429-8112, 435-259-4961

Apache Motel
$50-75
800-228-6882, 435-259-5727

Dream Keeper Inn
$125-185
888-230-3247, 435-259-3247

The Gonzo Inn
$160 and up
800-791-4044, 435-259-2515

Up the Creek Campground
$25-30, $6 showers
435-260-1888

Moab/Canyonlands Central Reservations
800-505-5343
Central Reservations represents every variety of lodging in Moab and will help you choose the ideal room for you.

Above rates are approximate.

WEATHER

There are really just two kinds of weather: weather you like and weather you do not like. Come prepared for both and you won't care what the weather does.

If you have questions about temperatures for your specific trip please feel free to give us a call 800-845-2453 or email us at biking@westernspirit.com. We will be happy to give you packing suggestions and help you with ideas for things to do before and after your bike trip.

PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP

You will receive a tour packing list with your tour confirmation package. Be sure to bring everything on this list. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed! When you arrive for your tour, we will give you a dry bag in which to pack your gear. If you have questions about anything on the list, please call us.

SHIPPING YOUR BIKE

You are welcome to ship your bike to us in advance of your trip. For a moderate fee we will unpack it, build it, and ship it back home to you afterwords. Bikes can be insured to $4,000. Domestic shipping only. If you decide you want to go this route, you must call us in advance of your trip so we can inform the shop that your bike is on its way.

To ship your bike UPS, send it to Western Spirit Cycling, 478 Mill Creek Dr, Moab, UT 84532; 435-259-8732. It is critical that you include your name and tour date on the outside of the box. Check with your local UPS people for the number of days needed for it to arrive in time. There is no Saturday delivery to Moab. It is imperative to have your bike finely tuned and cleaned before your tour so you know it is in top running condition.

If you have any other questions about trip logistics, please feel free to send us an email or, better yet, to call us at 800-845-2453. We will be happy to try to help you answer any other questions you might have about our bike trips.

THINGS TO DO

RESTAURANTS

BREAKFAST
The Moab Diner, 189 S. Main St - classic greasy spoon, great service
Jail House Café, 101 N. Main St - up scale menu w/ eggs Benedict and ginger pancakes
Red Rock Bakery, 74 S. Main St - fresh baked bagels, muffins, scones

LUNCH
The Peace Tree, 20 S. Main St - juice bar, smoothies, wraps
Slickrock Café, Main and Center St - full menu

DINNER
Banditos Grill, 467 N. Main - great Mexican
Zax Woodfire Pizza, 96 S. Main - pizza, burgers, etc

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED
The Center Café, 100 West, 435-259-4295 - award winning globally inspired cuisine
Buck's Grill House, 1393 Highway 191, 435-259-5201 - excellent steaks
The Desert Bistro, 92 E. Center, 435-259-0756 - great southwestern food

BOOKS

The books listed below can be purchased by calling Canyonlands Natural History Association at 800-840-8978 or checking out http://www.cnha.org/.

DESERT SOLITAIRE by Edward Abbey
This is the quintesenitial Abbey tale, and a thought provoking historical view of Moab.

THE MONKEY WRENCH GANG by Edward Abbey
This early tail of the environmental struggle is set in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park.

MAPS

Your guides will have all the maps necessary for your trip. If you would like your own copy for a souvenir, here is all the info:

The maps listed below can also be purchased by calling Canyonlands Natural History Association at 800-840-8978 or checking out http://www.cnha.org/.

MOAB EAST, Latitude 40
This map covers many Moab area rides.

MOAB WEST, Latitude 40
This map covers the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK: Maze District/NE Glen Canyon NRA
National Geographic Trails Illustrated
This map covers the Maze.

ACTIVITIES

RIDES
For all rides we recommend the Moab East and West maps.
Gemini Bridges - a great 2-3 hour introductory ride which can be done with a shuttles, we recommend Acme Shuttle at 435-260-2534 or Coyote Shuttle at 435-259-8656.
Porcupine Rim - a more advance 3 to 6 hour 20-30 mile adventure that can also involve the shuttle companies above.
Amasa Back - Take the Kane Creek Road off Main Street by Burger King and head out along the Colorado River through the Moab Valley Portal. This ride is an out-and-back and can be fun even if you don't make it past the pavement.

RIVER TRIPS
Canyon Voyages, 800-773-6007 - whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Colorado River, including half-day, full-day, and multi-day options

HIKES
Arches National Park, 435-719-2299, 5 miles North of Moab on Highway 191 - hike to the famous Delicate Arch (4 miles round trip) or explore the Windows section of the Park. Whether you have a hole day or just a few hours, Arches is worth the trip.
Other Hikes - There are literally hundreds of hikes in the Moab area, we recommend Negro Bill Canyon or Hidden Valley if you have some time to explore.

SHOPPING
Main Street in Moab - Almost all of Moab's shops can be reached by strolling down Main Street. You can find everything from silver Navajo jewelry to toy lizards.