This was John Wayne Country.  Many of his films (and lots more) were made right here in the Moab Canyons. There will be a little film history at camp.

Good footing
Sandstone and sand (not deep) trails.  A few short sections of rocks (true story).  The trails vary.  Two track good footing sand, then some Outlaw Trail style sandstone.  Horses should be shod or booted. Experienced barefoot horses will do fine (bring boots esp for multi-days).  We support barefoot horses and we assist with trail descriptions regarding terrain.  Rocks are minimal.

Two track and single track riding
Remote back country roads and trails wind throughout the canyon country.  Two track means an old jeep trail that might fit two horses wide. Single track is a winding trail one horse wide and disappears on the sandstone and reappears on the other side of the rock face. There are only a few brief miles of dirt road.

Trail description
Ride camp is 4,500 feet in elevation.  Remote single track (horses & hiking trail) and two track (jeep trail) on sandstone, dirt, sand. The footing is good, lots of plain old dirt trail, 'not deep' sand, and a few short sections of rocks on the trail. 

For those that haven't ridden on sandstone, the traction is good. Horses can easily trot across sandstone since they maintain their 'grip' on the sandpaper-like surface. Steel shoes grip great.

This is canyon country with its wide ranging mesas and cliff walls spanning out in all directions.  The vistas are wide with low desert vegetation (in case you have a horse that imagines bears behind trees).  The trails wind in and out of the redrock canyons.  Some trails are in wide open canyon bottoms while others are through narrow gorges in remote canyons.

There will be ample water stops along the way.  Some of them will have hay set out for a quick nutritious snack.

Ride Information
Ride Camp is spacious and located at an old cow camp in the flats next to the canyons.  There will be water for horses, bring culinary water. Camp will be set up two days before the ride.  We’ll have weed-free hay for sale if you need it.  Fortunately, we just have to scatter manure and hay after the ride.

There will be a couple of RideCamp “Stores” for those hard to find endurance items.  You can preorder at www.horsesdacor.com

Start Time: 50 milers starts at 7:00 am, 25s at 7:30 am. 

Weather is unpredictable in Late Fall but usually in the 50s and 60s during the day.  Nights can get cold (high 30s – 40s) so bring a warm jacket and blankets for your horses.  Rain, cold or snow is very rare but can happen, so come prepared.   

The trails are good for different levels of endurance conditioning and experience.  It will be only a matter of speed as to how demanding you make the ride.  Young and inexperienced horses can do well with sensible handling.

This is the perfect ride to bring someone new to the sport.  Moab is a fun and scenic place and the terrain is good.

Also Moab has lots of other sports opportunities.  If you have family or friends that hike, jeep, motorcycle, ATV, mountain bike or road bike, bring them along.  We’ll give them directions to the perfect location for those sports.

A trailer will haul all crew bags to the vet check.  We’ll supply lunch & drinks for the rider & crew (including vegetarian food).  Crews can easily find all the vet checks and are welcome at all of them.

Let us know you’re coming

We’d appreciate advanced registrations (don’t have to send money). Send in the form or sign-up on the website.  We need a count for all the personalized attention you will receive: 

• The meals for both crew and rider at vet checks;
• The personalized completion awards; lots of other prizes for all levels and all kinds of riding;
• Fast and efficient Vet Checks
• The staff to assist you and make your ride successful and fun

We’ll have a little Halloween fun. Bring costumes (but don’t scare the horses on the trail) and some goodies for trick-or-treating in the evening. Expect a few surprises.

Moab is a 30 minute drive from camp. You can drive in for dinner or shopping in the evening as shops and restaurants are open late.

Plan to stay an extra day so you will be able to ride the new trails everyday, and not feel like you missed out on the excitement of the Moab area.

Vacation in Moab

Moab is well known as an adventurous town.  Plan to arrive a few days early or stay a few days afterward.  There are lots of other activities in town.  Maps are available for more horse riding.  There are trails for Cycling, ATVs, Jeeps, and Motorcycles.  Visit a National Park (Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point).  The camp will open the 21st (water and porti-pottis) but you can come up anytime.  Also we have a wonderful Equestrian Center in Moab where you can stall your horse.  You can also park your LQ at the Center (no hook-ups) or pull into an RV park nearby and hook-up for the night.  Motels are also available.  Check out the links on our site.

Directions
Moab Utah is located in Southeastern Utah. Interstate 70 is the main East West highway 30 miles north of Moab. Moab is actually located on Hwy 191.

Coming from the North, East or West:
Driving on Interstate 70, turn south on Hwy 191. Drive 20 miles south on Hwy 191. (You will be 8.5 miles north of Moab). Turn west on Hwy 313, Signage states “Dead Horse Point” and “Canyonlands National Park”. Continue 8 miles turn right (top of hill); continue 1.5 miles stay left at the Y, Spring Canyon Rd. Drive 3.5 miles to camp on the right. See map below.

Coming from the South:
If you are coming from Arizona, at Kayenta turn north on Hwy 163 (Mapquest will try to send you the long way, do as I say here!). Hwy 163 will turn into Hwy 191 (you will be driving through beautiful Monument Valley).

You are on Hwy 191. Continue through Moab 8.5 miles. Turn west on Hwy 313, Signage states “Dead Horse Point” and “Canyonlands National Park”. Continue 8 miles turn right (top of hill); continue 1.5 miles stay left at the Y, Spring Canyon Rd. Drive 3.5 miles to camp on the right. See map below.

The flags will be up.

Don’t miss one of the last rides of the season
and certainly one of the most scenic!!

MAPS – Click thumbnails to view larger
Four-Corners Area Map	Map from Hwy. 191 to Ride Camp