Spring 2022
White Rim Trail MTB – Interest List
Spend six days cycling through Southern California’s beautiful desert landscapes
About the Ride
Join us on our epic Climate Ride 4-day White Rim Trail backcountry mountain bike tour! Our route begins with an amazing descent to the Colorado River, and circumnavigates the Island in the Sky District in Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River
Join the interest list for next time!
Moab, UT
We’ll explore secluded red-rock canyons, rich in cultural history of the ancestral Puebloan people, searching for ancient rock art and cliff dwellings.
Event Details
Positive Planet Impact
Full Event Story
This bucket-list trip in Canyonlands National Park offers some of the best cycling and scenic views in all of the American Southwest. The White Rim Trail, located in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, is truly a special place. This classic tour is a must for anyone visiting Utah’s canyon country, offering a perfect combination of great riding and spectacular scenery. We will ride along the “White Rim” layer of sandstone, with dramatic canyons below and majestic red rock cliffs above. The trail leads to arches, towers and other fantastic rock formations. Your guides will lead you on bike and on foot to explore the hidden treasures the White Rim offers. Visit an Indian dwelling of ancient times or perhaps trek into a slot canyon disappearing into the desert sandstone. The White Rim is the trip of a lifetime. On this four-day tour, we ride approximately 20 – 25 miles each day.
On this charitable event, all of the biking takes place on gravel roads and trails. Local guides and our Climate Ride team will take care of all the details, allowing us to ride, connect, and see the national park in the most intimate way possible – by bike! Plus we overnight in beautiful backcountry camps, avoiding some of the most crowded areas.
This trip is well-suited to road cyclists who can get comfortable on a mountain bike. The terrain is gravel roads and trails. You should train to ride 30 miles per day on gravel roads. There are shorter options each day if you choose to ride in the support van. Or if you wish for extra mileage, there will be options on most days. For very fit road cyclists who are also good mountain bikers, this is a moderate trip. For road cyclists who are not experienced with mountain bikes, this will be an intermediate trip.
This tour was operated in conjunction with the outfitter, Rim Tours which is permitted to operate in the areas we rode. Climate Ride charitable events bring together bright minds, breathtaking routes for all cycling abilities, and an unforgettable combination of passion and purpose. On this trip, we’ll get a first-hand look at the environmental issues affecting the desert Southwest. Proceeds from this event will support Climate Ride directly (no beneficiary selection for this event).
Photo Gallery
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change, your Ride Guide will include full details.
Day 1, 17 Miles
Following brief introductions, we will transport the group to the start of the ride, about a 45 minute-1 hour drive. The trip will begin along the Mineral Bottom road where we’ll start to give everyone a warm-up before a big descent down to the White Rim Trail along the Green River. Today we’ll ride to Potato Bottom Camp with a big climb up and over Hardscrabble Hill and numerous scenic stops along the way. The support vehicle will follow behind the group to refill water, supply snacks, and a lunch spread along the way to camp.
Once at camp, the guides will assist you with tent set-up. At this point your work is done! The guides will set up lawn chairs and hors d’oeuvres while you enjoy a cold drink as a healthy delicious meal is prepared. Washbasins are available for personal use and a solar shower is usually available for at least 1 night during the trip. This is your time to relax, whether you chose to lounge around camp with our library of books or set out for an exploratory hike
Day 2, 22 Miles
Fill up on breakfast and get ready to pedal and explore unique slot canyons and view Puebloan ruins on foot. We will break camp between 9-10AM, and head out on the double track route as we continue around the White Rim. There will be a few challenging sections with several steep short climbs on our way to the final big climb up Murphy Hogback to our camp. Today will offer some fun side-hikes possibly into a slot canyon and to view “Black Crack”.
Lunch each day will be a spread and snacks will also be available to stash in your pack to eat during the ride. Once we return to camp, kick off your cycling shoes, and relax as the guides prepare a scrumptious dinner. After dinner, there will be opportunities for short walks in the moonlight or time to sit and gaze to the sky. Easily view planets, satellites, the Milky Way, and more in this Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park!
Day 3, 28 Miles
Today’s ride starts with an exciting descent off the east side of Murphy’s and fun and rolling ride to an optional side trip to White Crack, the southernmost part of the trail. From here we work our way around Monument Basin with hoodoo towers rising up from the canyon floor and the in-and-out journey around the fingers of Buck Canyon on our way to our final camp at Airport Tower. We are now on the Colorado River side of the White Rim Trail and high above the rivers for the rest of the trip. An optional 9-mile ride can take strong riders down to the Colorado from our camp.
Day 4, 17 Miles
The phenomenal views continue as we climb back to the mesa top up the Shafer Trail at the end of the ride. Be sure to load up at breakfast as today consists of some climbing to reach the trailhead. Lunch will be had along the way, with snack foods available to stash in your pack for a quick bite as you pedal. Expect to reach the end of the trail early to mid-afternoon, and arrive back to Rim Tours Headquarters in Moab between 4 and 5 PM. Please make lodging arrangements in advance, as you may not arrive in time to catch flights.
Ready to get started?
FAQ’s and More Info
Gear, Accommodations, and Meals
This is a backcountry camping trip. You will need to bring or rent a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You can rent these through our outfitter and they will be brought to camp (rental information will be provided the Ride Guide).
Our guides carry solar showers and washbasins on each tour. Washbasins are available every day. Depending on the group size and weather, solar showers are usually available every other day. We suggest bringing unscented “baby- wipes” for quick clean up after riding.
Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks are handled by our expert local guides. We serve delicious energy-packed meals with lots of fresh ingredients to satisfy all tastes. We can accommodate special diets; just let us know your preferences. We do not provide alcoholic beverages, but feel free to bring your own. If you require or prefer special snacks and electrolyte supplements we recommend that you bring them.
Travel Information and Accommodations
This charitable mountain biking trip begins at 8 am on Friday, April 1 in Moab, Utah. You may safely leave your car at our meeting place or you may arrange a pick-up at your hotel. A continental breakfast of coffee, juice, fruit, and bagels will be served while our staff is loading your gear into the support vehicles and taking care of last-minute details. If you prefer a larger breakfast you may want to dine before you arrive. We recommend Jail House Café or the Moab Diner, both located on Main Street. The cycling event will end in Moab on Day 4 (Monday April 4) between 3-4pm. You should not book a flight out of SLC or Grand Junction before 9 pm.
GETTING TO AND FROM MOAB:
Fly Directly into Moab
– Skywest Airlines has daily flights to Moab out of Denver using 50-seat jets. They code-share with United, so you can book via United or any flight booking platform. The Moab airport is Canyonlands Field (CNY) and lies 17 miles north of Moab on Hwy 191. You can rent a car through Enterprise, (970) 242-8103 or use one of several taxi-like services. For a full list of ground transport options visit http://discovermoab.com/transportation-services/.
From Salt Lake City, UT (recommended)
– Delta, United, Frontier, Southwest, Alaska, Boutique, American, JetBlue all have flights into SLC.
– Rent a Car: Drive time is about 4 hours to Moab. If renting a car please know you must return it to Salt Lake City or pay an exorbitant drop fee. All major rental car companies have a presence at SLC.
From Grand Junction, CO (limited flights)
– United, Delta, American and Allegiant Airlines all fly into Grand Junction. You’ll need to rent a car to get to Moab but it’s a less than 2-hour drive, take Hwy 128 if in daylight.
– Enterprise Rent-A-Car, (970)242-8103, 406 S. 5th ST. Grand Junction, CO. http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?gpbr=1228&bid=004&cnty=US Enterprise may be able to do a one-way rental to Moab — most others will probably require it be a round trip rental.
What precautions are being taken for Coronavirus?
Please visit our Covid-19 Policies and Procedures Page.
We want to keep everyone as safe as possible during this trip, so we recommend being very cautious and following the recommended protocols for coronavirus during the two weeks before this trip. We recommend getting a COVID-19 test, self-isolating as much as possible, and taking extra care when traveling to the Ride start.
Cell Phone Service and Wifi
There is very limited cell phone access. Enjoy this digital detox!
Do I need to be an experienced mountain biker to go on this trip?
Climate Ride White Rim is a moderate, multi-day off-road experience that takes place in remote areas, mostly on doubletrack with packed dirt, loose rock and a bit of sand. A mountain bike is required. While you don’t have to be an expert mountain biker, we recommend doing at least some of your training on a mountain bike. You should be comfortable riding on packed gravel and should be generally physically fit.
This is not a technically difficult ride but there are some obstacles and several climbs and descents. Steeper pitches can be easily walked! Overall if you’re a strong cyclist and have some experience riding mountain bikes, you will be just fine!
What do I need to bring on the ride?
All riders need to have a mountain bike (see below for bike rental info), helmet, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (see camping gear rental info), and a suitcase or duffle containing clothes, toiletries, and anything else necessary for several days on the road. The Ride Guide will contain a more detailed suggested packing list. The Ride Guide will be distributed to participants several months before the event. If you have a non-perishable personal favorite snack or electrolyte brand please feel free to bring some along!
Mountain bikes are required for this trip as we’ll be riding on gravel roads and single track sections. The most important factor in choosing a bike and pedals is your comfort. You want to be riding a bike and using pedals that you will be comfortable riding with for multiple hours a day, for several days in a row. Our local outfitter has mountain bikes (high-quality full suspension bikes) available for rent.
IF BRINGING YOUR OWN BIKE: Have your bike tuned up before the tour and have any worn-out parts replaced. You may want to ship your bike ahead of time to Rim Tours in Moab. The assembly fee is $40 or $80, if they also disassemble and box it up at the end of the trip as well. As for tires for your tour, any good off-road tires are fine. We use Wilderness Trail Bike’s latest creations. They’re the best! We do recommend bringing a full suspension bike.
Can I rent a bicycle in Moab for the ride?
Yes! Our partner in Moab will have mountain bikes for rent in various configurations and sizes. These are high-quality full suspension bikes. More information will be available in the Ride Guide.
What kind of support can I expect while on the road?
Climate Ride has partnered with a local Moab outfitter to provide the most experienced and friendliest professional guides. We have rest stops each day with snacks and water, and on-route we have vehicle support that carries luggage, and also functions as a mobile mechanic and first aid station. You can also expect an unlimited supply of camaraderie and encouragement from the Climate Ride staff, the guides, and your fellow riders!
What does my fundraising support and why is it so important?
Riders can choose from the more than 100 incredible beneficiary organizations in our network! One of the things that make Climate Ride such an effective charitable event is that you can select the organization(s) you wish to benefit from our extensive list of beneficiary organizations. Our beneficiaries were selected for their work on the environment, conservation, sustainability, climate education, and active transportation advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride grants the proceeds from our events to these hard-working organizations.
What will I need to carry on my bike?
Our support vehicle will carry all of your personal and camping gear during the tour. A day pack or hydration pack for carrying water and the essentials – snacks, sunscreen, camera, rain gear, etc – is the only thing you’ll need to carry with you on your bike. On singletrack tours &/or tours where the support vehicle is unable to travel on the same route as the riders, you may be required to also carry your lunch.
Fundraising Deadlines | Important Dates
Fundraising Deadlines:
Fundraising Deadlines:
| $500 to be raised by: | TBD |
| $1,400 to be raised by: | TBD |
| $2,800 to be raised by: | TBD |
Learn more about deadlines and transfers on our Policies page.
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
Will I be able to take a shower?
We carry solar showers and washbasins on each tour. Washbasins are available every day.
Depending on the group size and weather, solar showers are usually available every other day. We suggest bringing unscented “baby-wipes” for quick clean-up after riding.
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!