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Probably the best cross-country singletrack trail I've seen in the United States in 23 years of mtb.


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Map Key

7.2

Miles

11.6

KM

Singletrack

10,518' 3,206 m

High

8,355' 2,547 m

Low

626' 191 m

Up

2,297' 700 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

26%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

No bicycles or motorcycles October 1 - May 15.

Description

This has got to be one of the finest trails anywhere in North America.

You'll start by climbing a mile (1.6 km). For most cyclists, parts will be hike-a-bike. The first 0.7 miles (1.1 km) are the hardest.

Top out at 10522 feet (3207m) and begin one of the most exhilarating cross-country descents I've experienced in some 40,000 miles (65,000 km) of mountain biking in the last 23 years.

You start out on switchbacks that comprise what amounts to a superb natural flow trail. You zip in and out of alpine meadows and very dark forest areas, going from the landscapes of Crested Butte to British Columbia to California's Lost Coast and back again in just a couple of miles (3 km). When not in the forested parts, you have views of and beyond Canyonlands National Park that probably extend more than 100 miles (160 km) to the north and west. There are moderately technical rocky parts and moderately steep parts, but an intermediate rider should be OK with a bit of walking.

Then, around 9500 feet elevation (2895m), you traverse Robertson Pasture, a first-class alpine meadow, on pleasant, mellow singletrack. Still descending, you reach aspen stands around 9000 feet (2745m) and you feel like you're in Park City, Utah or the GunnisonCrested Butte area again.

Below that, you reach what feels like the best of Southern California, with rocky desert trails and some stiff power climbs (hike-a-bike for some, but short) and beautiful views into a typical mid-elevation Utah valley.

Contacts

Shared By:

Ted Stroll with improvements by US Forest Service Moab Ranger District

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 7 votes

#9824

Overall
  4.1 from 7 votes
5 Star
57%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
14%
Trail Rankings

#404

in Utah

#9,824

Overall
4 Views Last Month
3,821 Since Sep 8, 2014
Difficult Difficult

0%
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Photos

Tight switchbacks with big views near the top of Robertson Pasture Trail
Oct 5, 2016 near Monticello, UT
Great aspens on Robertson Pasture Trail.
Oct 5, 2016 near Monticello, UT
The trail is smooth, but you need solid lungs to crank up the aspen-covered hills.
Oct 5, 2016 near Monticello, UT
Great aspens mid-way up Robertson Pasture Trail.
Oct 5, 2016 near Monticello, UT
More switchbacks, more amazing aspens.
Oct 5, 2016 near Monticello, UT
The magic carpet of aspen leaves.
Oct 5, 2016 near Monticello, UT

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