White Rim Trail

[Sci Teach]

I'm looking into a trip to Utah in late April to do some riding along with my wife. She is an intermediate rider and is very interested in doing the white rim trail. Does anyone have any firsthand advice for this? Should we do it ourselves, or should I make reservations with one of the guide outfits? I do plan on doing some harder riding before/after this as well, any advice of some good technical riding in the area? The gudiebooks are good, but I like to get input from people who have been there and can make comparisons to local riding, too. Thanks!

[T Grimble]

I did the White Rim with Western Spirit last April with my wife. To this day she thinks it was the best vacation she has ever taken. I would recommend doing the White Rim with support. It is only 100 miles and most of it is flat but Murphy Hog Back, and the climb out can be a bear. I wouldn't want to do it with a full load of camping gear and a one day traverse sounds like fun but not a good way to keep your marriage together. The folks at Western Spirit did a great job. The food was incredible and the ride was a blast. I would highly recommend them. White Rim is a real good ride. It is not technical but it is very remote and the scenery is great. It is a wonderful four days of riding. When we did it we tacked an extra week on and did a bunch of solo riding all over Utah. This way I was able to get a bunch of extra riding in while my wife did some hiking. Have fun. Utah rocks.

[T Grimble]

Here is a pic to get you stoked. The only thing between you and that trail at the bottom is 20 minutes, 3000 vertical feet and about two dozen switchbacks.

[Richie Rich]

I've only taken one serious mountain bike vacation and that was on the Maah Daah Hey trail also with Western Spirit. The service they provide is great (the food, their knowledge of the outdoors and mountainbiking, and their knowledge of the history of the area).