Guests will bike past ancient Native American ruins, hike slot canyons, pedal to Elephant Hill, traverse Lockhart Basin (a 50-mile jeep road that follows the gentle sways and contours of the Colorado River), cycle over Chicken Corners, and descend back to Moab. Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees, reservations, and accommodations are also included, along with at least two professionally trained trip leaders, a mobile-first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and support vehicles.
Geared to the intermediate rider and athletic beginner, the Trail of the Ancients’ mostly dirt road and double track route features layered or staggered challenges. The Trail of the Ancients accesses archaeological sites as well as significant cultural and historic sites in this remote region. All transportation, food preparation, meals, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, group supplies and community gear are included.
Hike, Bike, and Camp Along the Trail of the Ancients with Escape Adventures
East of the Colorado River, the Needles District of 330,000-acre Canyonlands National Park is named for the rock pinnacles that loom over the Southeast Utah landscape like an enormous succession of sentinels. This six-day mountain bike tour offers a unique POV into the region’s varied history.
“The Canyonlands region was looked upon as nothing but a wasteland until the mid-1940s,” said Jared Fisher, Director of Escape Adventures. “Then our nation’s urgent needs for uranium, vanadium, and petroleum products brought cycles of mining, prospecting and drilling to the area. Those landscape features only ramp up in difficulty in relation to a rider’s comfort level and skills expanding.
All internal land expenses and services are covered in the cost of the tour. Located over 100 miles from the nearest interstate highway, Needles remains one of the most remote regions left in America. This tour with first-class camping included starts at $1,499 per person. Consider this the ideal substitute for the White Rim Trail, but marked by more remote riding, coupled with deeper exploration. These activities carved out most of the backcountry road and trail networks still in use today.
Day 1-2: Meet in Moab. Shuttle to Needles. Ride Beef Basin to Needles Overlook. Ride to Ruin Park. Hike ruins.
Day 3-4: Ride through Needles. Hike slot canyons. Ride to Lockhart Trail.
Day 5-6: Ride Lockhart Basin to Chicken Corners. Ride over Hurrah Pass to Moab.
For more information, visit https://escapeadventures.com/tour/utah-the-trail-of-the-ancients-mountain-bike-tour/.
