House of Paine

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

This ride adds 0 distance to your trip, takes an hour, and is impossible to get lost. To simplify, there is no singletrack, only primitive dirt roads, although it provides access to a ton of high quality singletrack if you so desire. You are at most three miles from I-80 with cell phone coverage, but you would swear that you are in the wilderness. This loop was added for those who don't want to get lost but still want to sample the Pequop.

BLM so BLM rules about camping apply.

Exit I-80 378 going west or exit 376 going east and proceed on the maintenance road south of I-80 to a rickety gate halfway between the exits (one mile). Cars are fine. Park anywhere by the gate ensuring you leave a single lane open.

Proceed south on the fenceline dirt road. The flowers are the best in 20 years and will be till June 20. Take a right when the road tees into Six Mile Road. Proceed a few miles and take a right on the first dirt road to the right. Proceed a few miles and take a right at three cattle troughs. Proceed a few miles to the top and take a right. Proceed a few miles and pass through Pequop Ranch. Proceed a mile and take a right. Proceed 300 yards and take a right back on the maintenance road. Proceed down the maintenance road to your car.

Proceeding through the ranch on bikes is fine cars not allowed. There are dogs but they are friendly. There is also a ranch bypass (singletrack) that will take you down Gutterball (singletrack) to your car but I'm trying to keep it simple. It's basically a right turn anytime you can make a right turn but there are some very faint rights into campgrounds so refer to map. The maintenance road and ranch road are drivable but the rest aren't unless you have high clearance.

When you start at the rickety gate you are at the low point and you are looking southwest into Paine Basin. The eave of the roof is at the westernmost point and is about a 1000 foot climb. The route stays entirely in Paine Basin so you won't get lost, although you won't see the interstate nor will you see any vehicles. The best part of riding the Pequop is the singletrack, but there is very little signage, so this ride is designed for someone who wants to get out of the car and get pumped up for Moab or wherever.

If you like the ride and have the time I definitely recommend the other trails shown on the map. Although the trails are little ridden and poorly marked, they are all excellent and the crown jewel Solar Coaster now snow free (June 2) and rocking. Solar Coaster is out of Paine Basin so the MTB Project mobile app is essential for routefinding.

PJ forest. The pinyon pine and juniper for that matter were critical for Native Americans on a seasonal migration (fall) through the area.