[pics] The Moab Rim Trail, Moab, Utah

Not the easiest trail in Moab, but one of the most scenic! Rated a solid “7” by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, the trail consists of rock, sand and considerable slickrock with many steps exceeding 48”. Steep inclines and declines are prevalent. Enhanced off road equipment is required including working locking devices (front & rear), 35″ tires, maximum vehicle ground clearance, and tow hooks. A winch is desirable. Excellent driving skills are required. Vehicle mechanical or body damage is likely. Roll over possibilities exist.

Taken from the Red Rock 4-Wheelers Page, The Moab Rim is the cliff rim seen just to the southwest of town. Its only four-wheel-drive access begins just downriver from town and the first mile has about the highest density of obstacles of any of our trails. Many vehicles have “bit the rocks” on the succession of rock ledges and tight turns that lead to the rim. On top, the trail is sand and rock. After closing a short loop, the trail returns on the same rocky mile it started with. Approximate mileages: 14 total, 9 off highway.

Scenery

The first mile of trail follows the slope of the tilted rock layers and has increasingly high overlooks of the Colorado River gorge in one of its most beautiful areas. The rim view includes the La Sal Mountains, Moab and Spanish Valleys, some of Arches National Park and distant features such as the Book Cliffs. Behind the rim are displays of rock domes and fins and some of the rims of the Colorado River gorge farther downstream.

Surface

The first part of the trail is mostly on bedrock that nature has broken into ledges and steps. The higher country has slickrock, blow sand, and some sand with broken rock mixed in.

Trail Details

Among the many steps in the first mile are the “Devil’s Crack” and the “Z Turn”. The first requires a tricky turn onto a ledge to avoid dropping a wheel into the crack beyond. The latter has two turns over irregular rocks and ledges, many of which are off camber. On top a slickrock dome has an optional climb with about an 85% grade.

For Additional Information, check out:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/moab-rim-trail

https://www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/14496/2

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