With its amazing views and fun undulating waves of great rock, Bartlett Wash is an Entrada sandstone Slickrock ride. This amazing biking playground is located 18 miles north of Moab. The “official” ride is four miles and is intermediate-difficult, but you can spend the entire day playing in the Slickrock, as this is an “open-riding” area. Just stay on the Slickrock! If you ride through potholes or over vegetation, you may ruin this rare free-ride mountain bike area.

advertisement

The grain size of Entrada Sandstone vs the Navajo Sandstone in Bartlett Wash is much finer. Due to the presence of silt (in this area of Utah), Entrada weathers more smoothly, resulting in bowls rather than the sharp domes and fins seen at Slickrock. For you dino buffs, the entrada was formed during the Jurassic Period (140-200 million years ago, when the dinosaur era was in full swing).

At Bartlett Wash, you can enjoy easy, rolling sandstone or insane drops that will make you consider updating your will. The choice is yours. There isn’t a set trail, so you can play on easy terrain or explore the gnarly stuff.

The trail is not clearly marked. You have to pick your way up sandstone ledges to reach one of the largest open Slickrock areas you will ever see. After you park, take the trail on your right that leads to a steep sandstone ledge. Make your way up and ride. Make your way gradually uphill, but feel free to stop to play along the way.

Using the same trailhead, you can also access the Jedi Slickrock on a mesa south of Bartlett.

When you reach the end of the dirt road, the ride begins in a wash. There is a trail that leads over a rock cliff on your right, approximately 100 feet from the start of the ride. Around the steep spot, pick your way around a small trail to the right. Once you reach altitude, you’ll occasionally zig and zag as you ascend.

This trail climbs out of the red sand of the desert onto the beautiful orange sandstone hillsides of Entrada. Riders climb gradually above the cliffs, hugging ridges.

Have a little fun! There are countless places to ride. Try out some stunts. Work your way up, jumping off six-inch ledges, then a twelve-inch, then an 18-incher. Roll around in halfpipes. It’s a great place to practice.

advertisement

There is an official “endpoint” for the ride at the west end of the mesa. There are three ways to get there: along the south edge (easiest), over the top, or on the north edge. Be sure to bring a repair kit, pump, and extra tube. It’s very tempting to try stupid stuff resulting in your bike suffering.

Make sure you climb the bluff to the east to see the white monoliths we call “New York City.” Zip between the rocks along the sand trail. You’ll have a blast. Get ready for some serious sand workouts.

Bartlett Wash can be ridden for an hour or all day. Riding Bartlett, combined with another short ride as you make your way into Moab, is a great way to warm up. Have fun and stay safe!

advertisement