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Slickrock Practice Loop

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.3 (67)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southeastern Utah
  4. …Moab
  5. Sand Flats Recreation Area
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“This short loop lets you test your skills before you go on to the real deal. ”

Curtis Tripp
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Map Key

1.6

Miles

2.5

KM
Singletrack

4,652' 1,418 m

High

4,544' 1,385 m

Low

182' 55 m

Up

246' 75 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Follow the blazes! Avoid vegetation, potholes, and biological soil crust. Only cross the sandy patches between slickrock along the designated trail.

While dogs are allowed, they are not recommended as the sandstone surface tears away their paw pads. If you absolutely must bring them, bring extra water - make sure they leave the water in the potholes for the local wildlife.

Description

This trail makes a good introduction to the type of terrain you'll find on the main loop, but at a more moderate level for those who want to ease into it. Still, it presents some significant obstacles and should not be taken lightly. True beginners probably won't enjoy a ride here.

Just a quarter mile into the main Slickrock Trail, fork right at the painted junction to start the Practice Loop. Follow the white dashes along a series of sandstone domes, followed by a quick descent toward the Echo Canyon viewpoint. It's worth getting off your bike and hiking to the edge of the cliffs for a closer look at this box canyon.

Continue along the dashed line as it winds up and over more low fins and across sandy washes back towards the main trail, with a number of short but steep climbs and drops. You'll rejoin the Slickrock Trail around the 3/4 mile mark. If you're up for 10 more miles of slickrock, turn right for the full loop. If not, turn left for a quick return to the trailhead.

Contacts

Local Club: Moab Trail Mix

Land Manager: BLM Utah - Moab Field Office

Shared By:

Curtis Tripp with improvements by Moab Trail Mix
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 67 votes

#2

in Sand Flats Recreation Area

#104

Overall
  4.3 from 67 votes
5 Star
54%
4 Star
28%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
9%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Sand Flats Recreation…

#15

in Utah

#104

Overall
78 Views Last Month
13,415 Since Mar 7, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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26%
35%
39%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Slickrock Trail is beautiful in the evening...
Oct 21, 2015 near Moab, UT
Riding Slick Rock Practice Loop after work.
Dec 31, 1969 near Moab, UT
Heading north on Slickrock at sunset on another incredible evening in Moab.
Nov 16, 2015 near Moab, UT
Views of Arches NP and Colorado River.
Mar 17, 2016 near Moab, UT
Practice ride with La Sal mountain in the background.
Mar 17, 2016 near Moab, UT
Typical Slickrock shot from Moab at sunset in November.
Nov 16, 2015 near Moab, UT

1 Comment

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 55 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 20, 2024
Micah McAllaster
Mar 30, 2024
Dan 60D5H411
With Owen, Eliana, Tina
Oct 17, 2023
Matt Dyer
Super fun chill day. Will be back for the full loop 1.6mi
Oct 16, 2023
Prosper Wang
Sep 24, 2023
Private User
Apr 7, 2023
Joe Marcotte
Mar 2, 2023
Jay Holsten
Short, but still a challenge. Just great!
Feb 18, 2023
Bryan Roberts
Had a cold, but was so sick! 1.6mi

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