Another Weekend in Moab

We headed to Moab again for the weekend. The weather looked like it might be questionable but Moab trails generally are far better for rain.

We really wanted to do Porcupine from Hazard but got a pretty late start and decided to self shuttle. Amber to the first drop starting at Hazard.

We were met by a cover of snow. Amber was still psyched to do a run for at least the Hazard section but wasn't sure about Kokopelli down as the mud there was likely brutal.

Bishop go to do the section as well and was super happy as well.

View from the top of the Hazard drop in.

Happy smiles at the end of the run for Amber. She had a great time slipping and sliding her way down with as little brake use as possible.

Happy tired dog as well!

I opted to take a Kokopelli run to the river. The start was pretty muddy but turned to hero dirt as soon as you reached UPS. The sand was wet and made for tacky perfect conditions.

No photos on the way down as it was simply to much fun to even bother to try and take a photo other than at one rest spot. It took 2hrs 20mins from Kokopelli with one pretty significant mechanical (chain ring bolt working loose and getting stuck against the chain guide). I passed 69 people along the way which is a personal best, luckily most all of them were easy passes that didn't slow things down. A great ride that was a perfect kick-off to the weekend.

Saturday night in camp was pretty exciting as a storm passed over with torrential rain and light strikes all around. Some were very close on the light/sound measurement. The dogs decided it was best if they joined us in our tent while the storm was passing by.

Sunday we decided that Amasa Back out to Rockstacker was a great option that we had never done before.

Bishop trying to convince us that she was ready to go  as well. Unfortunately it is a pretty long ride that covers a lot of slick rock and we forgot to bring doggy paws for her so she had to stay at the vehicle and keep Moab company.

Moab looking happy with some impressive cliffs in the background.

Climbing up Amasa.

More climbing, Amber tackling a much steeper than it looks in a photo section as we climb.

Amasa received some maintenance a couple of years ago by the owner of the gas line that runs up over the plateau. This move is a steep roller that is one of the cruxes for the Jeeps and after the maintenance was a smooth section of dirt. Now it is back to it steepest and technical best on the edge of a cliff. Amber cruises it!

We have not ridden Amasa for a couple of years and a lot of great trail work has occurred since we were last here. There is a new single track section that goes out towards Pothole Arch that you use to get to Rock Stacker. It used to be that you rode some old Jeep trail and then single track that was very underground. Now the single track is signed and awesome riding.

Rock Stacker is an old previously underground trail that we had always meant to get out and do but had never made the time. Luckily that poor choice was corrected today. The trail starts at a high level of difficulty with a number of ledge drops and a very steep move

It drops down just out of sight past Amber

A friend of ours who happened along as we were checking out the section. He just rails down the steep section of slick rock like it was flat! It is much steeper than the photo would indicate.

Amber taking her turn

Another steeper than it looks move by Amber with some impressive background.

You can't tell from this but it is one of the moves that are common in this section of Rock Stacker. You come around switchbacks and have to make a steep move and then control the exit because if you don't you are going over an edge to a drop that will very hurt you. Amber tried this one a few times before nailing it! I didn't even try it.

Another of the moves. This one has a sharp right turn to a drop.

Single track! Rock Stacker is an amazing trail section that is must do. It has a lot of moves that most of us will walk but it has lots of sections that you can do better and better each time you go back.

We went down Amasa proper rather than taking Jackson's Trail as I really prefer the high speed romp that is the Amasa descent over the technical descent of Jackson's. No photos as stopping on the Amasa descent is against the rules.

An awesome weekend of riding.