| count | avg | score | |
| this | 30 | 4.53 | 0 |
| subs | 0 | NAN | 0 |
| total | 30 | 4.53 | 4453 |
| listed | 342 | 0 | 4039 |
| articles | 1 | 0 | 1386 |
| TOTAL | 9878 | 0 | |
Level: Advanced
Length: 11 mi (17.7 km)
Surface: 4x4 Trail
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: +586/575 ft
Total: 250 riders
Mountain Biking Amasa Back Trail
#21 of 691 mountain bike trails in Utah
#273 in the world
I dismissed this trail after first reading the description due to the elevation gain (aprox '1400) but a friend talked me into doing it and I am glad she did, what a great ride! This is a popular route with the crawler/jeep crowd so expect a few, the ones we encountered were friendly and not going fast enough to even make dust so they were not a problem. The climb in is very steady with only a couple really steep areas, the trail surface is mostly Sandstone and has many small ledges (less than 1 ft) and a few bigger ones.
Challenging and fun for experienced mountain bikers only a short bike ride from town. Lots of small technical spots with quite often many options for getting up and around, even a few walk sections so it had everything. Great country with awesome views all the way around. The trail winds up and over a ridge and then out to the edge of a cliff over 1000' above the Colorado River as it snakes its way towards the southwest. The ride back down is a great downhill run with many jumps, corners and drop offs, but you will remember where all the nasty ones are from the trip up, right?
First added by AK_Dan on Mar 9, 2006. Last updated Apr 30, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From Center & Main in Moab, take Main St south and take a right on Kane Creek Rd (or take the Mill Creek Bike Path to 500 West and turn left). Follow Kane Creek Rd for 5 miles; Amasa Back parking is the second lot after the pavement ends. The jeep trail leaves the road less than a mile later.
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This is a gnarly jeep trail with some good tech. I prefer the singletrack in the area, but this is fun too.
| ThankIt's a super gnarly jeep trail trying your technical climbing skills and patience. We climbed this mother all the way to Pothole Arch. The view off the backside (south) is insane!! You should do it for this view if not for anything else.
| ThankGorgeous views, was my break-in to Moab. Loved it and the flow was good to me, even with the technical parts to it. I think this was a good place to start. Can't wait to go back!
| ThankAbsolutely epic. Scenic mountain biking at its finest, this place is a dream come true as far as beauty. Does require the rider to be in good shape but pretty much all the trails in Moab do so you know what to expect as far as technical and climbing. Can't wait to go back!
| ThankVery technical, but definitely the most fun I've had on a 4 by 4 road on my bike.
| ThankFor a 4x4 road, this is a pretty fantastic ride. The views off the top, massive cliff-top riding, and the uber technical, ledgy descent, filled with endless drops and jumps, is an absolute riot! That said, the must-ride trails in this area are now Hymasa and Captain Ahab. DO IT!
| ThankGreat trail with tons of technical stuff and multiple drop offs. Bring your body armor for this one. Make sure your bike is up for it, no cheap department store bikes will last.
| ThankThis trail is a fun climb with several techy sections to distract you from the grind. I was surprised when I saw the elevation gain after completing it. The way back down is a super fun choose-your-own-line adventure because of the width of the trail. I took Captain Ahab down and met up with Amasa Back towards the bottom but honestly I think I would have rather stuck to Amasa Back the whole time. Ahab is a great challenge but not as fast. I'll definitely hit this again next time I'm in Moab. Tip: as with all Moab trails, finish the climb before noon or you will cook.
| ThankGood flowy up hill to fast and smooth down hill. Good ride for the morning or afternoon if you are trying todo two rides in one day.
| ThankThis trail will throw a lot at you in a fairly short distance. Be prepared to get highly anerobic or hiking right from the get go. The gnar never lasts too long and it's back in the saddle for the big climb. And all that gnar is way cool on the way back down. This is a great place to come if you like lots of step up sequences. On the way back down, you'll have hundreds of places to make that "do I roll it or do I huck it?" decision. Big climb, great scenery, wicked descent; what more could you want?
* Review edited 10/20/2012
| ThankGreat ride with technical climbs and exposure. Crazy to see the 4-wheelers on the back side. Definitely something to see. We're all pretty intermediate riders and did well on the trail. Just know your limitations.
| ThankWasn't sure what to expect since motos were allowed. I am glad I hit this trail and recommend it to everyone. Awesome views once you're on top and then coming back is spectacular technical fun riding.
| ThankThis is a fairly typical Moab are trail with a mix of jeep road, singletrack and slickrock; with some sand thrown in for good measure.
Access it from the "upper" trailhead to avoid swimming across the river. (Just follow the jeeps)
The trail has long rideable sections punctuated by crazy gnar. The XC guys will complain about the tech sections, the freeriders will hate the doubletrack big ring ring efforts, but all will be forgiven once everyone takes in the sweeping views fro the top!
| ThankOut and back. Nice trail. I've done it twice and don't need to do it again. Cool views and check out the porthole arch near the end.
| ThankVery technical trail get on it early to avoid the masses, and definitely ride the new extension, it's really fun, plenty of slickrock, and incrediby scenic.
| ThankBest trail in the Moab region, easily. Yes, better even than Porcupine Rim. It is a fun, engaging climb, and a fast, furious descent. Tons of ledges and slickrock, the scenery is fantastic, it really doesn't get much better than this. Don't go in summer.
| ThankEven if some of the more popular trails did not exist in Moab, this trail alone would be worth the drive to this area just to experience it. It is one heck of a climb with lots of techy uphill stuff, that becomes just as techy downhill.
| ThankThe view from the top is tremendous, and we worth the long haul heavenward.
Finaly rode this trial, after 5 previous trips to Moab, and can't believe I never rode it before. I think this is my new favorite Moab trail. The climbing was well worth it. Great trail to practice technical climbing on.
| ThankMost enjoyable climbing I did while in Moab and a super-fun ride down. One of my top three trails there, although I still have a lot to explore. Fantastic views, even when compared to Whole Enchilada.
| ThankFantastic views once you get to the top. Has some very technical sections, a former girlfriend broke two ribs and she was an excellent rider.
| ThankJust be careful and enjoy.