Trail of the Ancients 5-day MTB/Hike Tour, Bears Ears, Utah
Location
Moab, Utah
Group Size
Max 12 people
Duration
5 days
Location
Moab, Utah
Group Size
Max 12 people
Duration
5 days
This is an overland journey by bike and foot that explores the remote forests and canyons of The Bears Ears National Monument, Elk Ridge, and the Seven Sisters Buttes - a region richly steeped in Cultural History. We'll respectfully visit sites with remnants of multiple cultures that lived off the land in this fantastically scenic and wickedly rugged area.
Ranchers and the Ancient Puebloans lived in these canyons, and built structures out of stone, wood, and mud before vanishing up to seven centuries ago. Spanish explorers were the first Anglos to see this amazing country in the 1700's. And since then, numerous cowhands and miners have worked the land, barely eking out a living. They all left something in their passing that contributes to the cultural richness that is found in this extraordinary region.
The mountain bike will be your access tool as you travel between camps and hiking trailheads on dirt roads with some rugged sections, demanding climbs, steep descents, sand, and miles of fantastically scenic cruising. The hikes are adventures that will give you an intimate appreciation for the tenacity and fortitude of those who chose to live off the lands in this area. You'll be entering a uniquely secluded and difficult to access region in the country - a wild land of thick forests, expansive mesas, sandstone canyons, and monolithic spires.
ITINERARY
PRE-TRIP MEETING
We meet the group for a pre-trip orientation at 5pm on the evening before the tour at the MAGPIE CYCLING Headquarters; 711 N 500 West, Moab, UT 84532.
Introductions, details, rental equipment, questions and last minute purchases can all be taken care of at this time. You’ll receive 2 Dry Bags, water and dust proof bags for packing your personal equipment for the trip.
DAY 1:
Breakfast on your own. We’ll meet at 8am back at the MAGPIE CYCLING Headquarters in Moab to load all personal belongings on the Gear Vehicle before we depart by van for Bears Ears Pass (3+ hours). After the first hour and 20 minutes, we'll stop at the Edge of the Cedars State Park [applies to launch days Tues-Sat only] for an in-depth introduction to the Ancestral Puebloan cultures that occupied the region hundreds of years ago. Our next stops in route are Butler Wash Ruin site, and Mule Canyon. We'll eat lunch, hike, check out the ruins, and then proceed in the van to Bears Ears Pass. We’ll give a safety orientation at 8,500' above sea level before we begin cycling to our scenic camp for the night overlooking Hammond Canyon at 8,200'. (2 miles Hike, 8 miles MTB)
DAY 2:
After a delicious hearty breakfast, we’ll pack a lunch and depart by bike for an out-n-back multi sport exploration to view the Luis Lodge Ruin site. This is a spiritually powerful site - out of respect for those that built, used, and prayed here, we will respectfully view the ruins from across the canyon. Bring your binoculars!!! (9-15 miles MTB, 3-6 miles Hike)
DAY 3:
Today's ride will take us through beautiful sub-alpine forests across Elk Ridge, passing the scenic Duck Lake 8,650' (frequently a dry lake in drought years), Round Mountain, the Seven Sister Buttes, and all the way to our last camp, a layover camp near Cathedral Point at 7,100' overlooking the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Choose your tent site carefully - you'll sleep here for two nights! (27 miles MTB)
DAY 4:
After another hearty breakfast, we'll pack lunches and hike into Salt Creek for an out-and-back exploration of Ancestral Puebloan terrain, and possibly find a dramatic natural arch along the way! Of course, if you'd rather, you can elect to chill-out at camp and rest your legs. (0-9 miles Hike)
DAY 5:
We’ll wake to a spectacular sunrise, eat breakfast, and pack up camp before we ride a descending route into the Indian Creek Unit of the Bears Ears. We'll enjoy one more lunch together and meet our van for the trip back to Moab. We typically return to Moab by 5pm. (17 miles MTB)
ITINERARY CHANGES MAY BE MADE DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS OR BY DISCRETION OF THE GROUP LEADERS.
