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HyMasa/Captain Ahab

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.7 (403)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southeastern Utah
  4. …Moab
  5. Amasa Back
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“Visually stunning, technically thrilling, a true gem. You'll not want it to end. ”

Markk Knowles
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Map Key

9.0

Miles

14.5

KM

95%

Singletrack

4,887' 1,490 m

High

3,992' 1,217 m

Low

1,216' 371 m

Up

1,213' 370 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

The Amasa Back jeep trail is no longer the prefered option for MTBr's to gain access to Captain Ahab. HyMasa Trail has arrived!

The Hymasa/Captain Ahab ride is one of the best of the best. Enough climbing to pump you up and raise your pulse to ready you for the massive dose of adrenaline you'll receive on the descent. MTBing ecstasy is what it is.

I can not do justice for Captain Ahab in words. Most intermediate riders will walk a spot or two on this trail. Fact is there is even a sign that says you should walk a particularly risky spot on the trail. But don't let that dissuade you from the experience Ahab will etch in your memory. If confidence eludes you from time to time...just walk it.

Description

Start at the parking area along Kane Creek Blvd (just below the start of the route) . Ride up the dirt road for a short bit then bust right onto HyMasa Trail singletrack down to the creek. From there it's a short jaunt up Amasa Back followed by another right back onto HyMasa Trail. There is great signage to keep you on point. From here it is all sweet singletrack.

HyMasa is a fun and winding 3.1 mile climb with scattered descents. On its own, HyMasa is an excellent romp through pristine Moab singletrack. You'll cross Amasa Back a couple of times and will be offered the option to cut out on the Amasa to Ahab connector, but don't do it! The views alone are worth the effort to get all the way to the top.

The transition to Captain Ahab from HyMasa Trail is quick and happens during an easy climb. Take a moment to stop and enjoy the outstanding views over Jackson Hole and Canyonlands.

Continue climbing along the rim until the trail turns back to the south and east.

A big rock drop will mark the start of the descent. The upper half of the trail is designed for longer travel bikes and riders who enjoy technical descending. There are plenty of options to avoid most of the larger drops, so you can make it as hard as you want. After the first series of descents and rollouts, Captain Ahab contours a bit with some short punchy climbs and drops.

The lower half of the route drops into tight singletrack nesteled above Kane Creek. This part of the route is fast and exciting with some exposure along the cliff edges. It has good flow and very little in the way of climbing.

The final stretch of Captain Ahab drops down through a spicy rock garden before rolling out to the Amasa Back / Cliffhanger road.

*Note: If you're looking for a shorter route or want to avoid the more technical upper sections, there is a bypass onto the Amasa to Captain Ahab Connector at 3.3 miles into the HyMasa Trail climb.

Contacts

Local Club: Moab Trails Alliance

Land Manager: BLM Utah - Moab Field Office

Shared By:

Markk Knowles with improvements by Sergio Vz and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 403 votes

#1

in Amasa Back

#27

Overall
  4.7 from 403 votes
5 Star
81%
4 Star
13%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Amasa Back

#11

in Utah

#27

Overall
251 Views Last Month
73,795 Since Apr 29, 2014
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81%
17%
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Photos

Captain Ahab has some amazing views west towards Canyonlands.
Apr 1, 2015 near Moab, UT
Building (and riding!) Captain Ahab
Oct 17, 2013 near Moab, UT
The final stretch of Captain Ahab is rowdy, fast and fun.
Apr 1, 2015 near Moab, UT
Moab bike mechanics enjoying the off season the only way they know how...killing it on the trails!
Dec 13, 2016 near Moab, UT
Hucking on the Hymasa Trail.
Apr 20, 2017 near Moab, UT
The lower reaches of Captain Ahab are neatly tucked into the slickrock amongst the trees above Kane Springs Creek.
Apr 1, 2015 near Moab, UT

24 Comments

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Check-Ins

Oct 28, 2024
tooTALLtim
outstanding!!! — 2h 10m
Oct 27, 2024
Jazzi Cooper
Very rocky, technical, up and down, hard to get flow but some fun drops and sections — 2h 30m
Oct 10, 2024
Sheri Vernier
Sep 27, 2024
Reed Greisen
May 15, 2024
Tom Tracey
May 12, 2024
Casey M
May 3, 2024
Sheri Vernier
Mar 20, 2024
Paul R

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