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Author:
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MtnBkr
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Date:
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26 Mar 2008 6:29:20 PM
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Activity:
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Mountain Biking
ActivitySearchMountainBiking
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State:
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Utah (UT)
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Distance:
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9.65 mi
(Change units)
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Elevation:
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Total Gain: 3074 ft
Total Loss: 3074 ft
Net Change: 0 ft
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Difficulty:
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8 / 10
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Tags:
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Amasa Back, Utah, Moab, Castle Valley
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Rating:
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 1 rating(s)
Rate it
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After riding a mile or less up Kane Creek Access Road from one of the two parking lots, start up Amasa Back jeep road with an immediate technical challenge up a series of slickrock steps--an apt start to a difficult trail. There are more steps to hop, lines to pick, and loose rocks to churn through the entire way.
Two miles into Amasa Back, the road curves around the cliff’s edge overlooking Jackson Hole, the 500-foot maw from which a solitary butte rises to your left. Skirt the edge north and west for 1.5 miles to a junction: straight onto technical, difficult-to-find singletrack that heads north onto the rock fin, or turn left towards a Colorado River overlook (the turnaround for this route).
TO TRAILHEAD: From Center and Main streets in Moab, take Main St. south 0.6 mile to Kane Creek Blvd. Turn right; go 5.8 miles to second parking area on right.
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Datum: |
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Moab, UT: Amasa Back
| Dist: 9.65 mi |
Points: 1530 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Photo 9
Location: Unknown
When a storm blew in, this scorpion thought it was night and came out from under a rock.
Photo 10
Location: Unknown
An errant storm can make Moab riding even tougher than usual -- especially if you're riding a lightning rod.
Photo 11
Location: Unknown
The drop-off on the cliffside sections can exceed 1,000 feet.
Photo 6
Location: Unknown
Photo 5
Location: Unknown
The initial climb is full of rock steps, loose rock sections, and just enough smooth singletrack to keep you moving along.
Photo 7
Location: Unknown
Photo 13
Location: Unknown
Right Turn
Location: 38.524189°, -109.601541°
Turn right onto Amasa Back jeep road. Leave Kane Creek Access Road and head up Amasa Back.
Route Finding
Location: 38.531256°, -109.639338°
Amasa Back's singletrack continues north from here, but it requires route-finding skills. Turn left (southwest) here to ride to the turnaround at an overlook.
Parking
Location: 38.533010°, -109.600854°
Park here, at the end of the pavement, or 0.6 mile around the corner (where this track begins).
Birthing Rock
Location: 38.522132°, -109.602823°
The Birthing Rock is just beyond the trailhead for Amasa Back on Kane Creek Access Road. The rock is covered petroglyphs, including one depicting a breech birth.
Colorado River Overlook
Location: 38.526954°, -109.642546°
Climb to the end: The turnaround is at the top of this ramp.
Cliff
Location: 38.523480°, -109.622108°
Amasa Back skirts this cliff over Jackson Hole. The far left end is the turnaround point for this ride.
Colorado River Overlook
Location: 38.526954°, -109.642546°
End of the road: The Colorado River lies more than 1,000 feet below the last overlook.
Pothole Arch
Location: 38.551220°, -109.641232°
Want more? If you have good route-finding skills, continue beyond this track to Pothole Arch and views of the Colorado River, Poison Spider Mesa, and the La Sal Mountains. Amasa Back's tough, difficult-to-navigate singletrack can be ridden this spot.
Overlook down Kane Creek Road
Location: 38.524667°, -109.599073°
Amasa Back start from Kane Creek Road: The trail starts just out of sight in the upper left of this photo.
Cliff Hanger
Location: 38.521108°, -109.620144°
The four-wheelers call this stretch Cliff Hanger. Some of these stretches are difficult for both jeeps and mountain bikes.
Colorado River Overlook
Location: 38.526954°, -109.642546°
From the end of the ride, look west to see Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area.
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