The mountain biking industry, and tourism in general, have been a boon to Moab, helping in the last several decades to provide a means for the community to grow and thrive following the mining bust. Our desert’s plethora of old four-wheel drive roads, not to mention the one-of-a-kind Slickrock Trail, has created a near-perfect playground for cycling enthusiasts. We see the mountain bikers flocking to Moab in spring and fall, when cool temperatures make for perfect rides.

So it is not a surprise that cycling promoters and cyclists themselves have looked for ways to enjoy the Moab area during the hot temperatures. And they have found the answer in the nearby La Sal Mountains, which not only boasts chilly air but single-track trails – a mountain biker’s dream.

The network of century-old trails in our cool, verdant national forest has helped to provide a natural expansion of Moab’s offerings to recreation enthusiasts. Those trails have been sitting nearly devoid of traffic for much of the past 100 years, save for dedicated hikers, equestrians and hunters. The trails have been in disrepair for much of that time, with the U.S. Forest Service over the years citing a lack of funding for trail maintenance and tree removal. Many forest users have known they need to carry saws at times to get around the constant downfall... until recently.

Due in part to the efforts of the local Trail Mix group and enthusiastic mountain bikers, some new trails have been built. The Forest Service has stepped up to its responsibility to maintain trails signage. Suddenly, Moab has gotten on the map again touting what could possibly become as famous as Slickrock: The Whole Enchilada.

Many private riders and commercial shuttle companies start this ride at the top of Burro Pass, high above Geyser Pass at about 11,000 feet in elevation. The trail winds down the Wet Fork of Mill Creek, past the ruins of old cabins, and continuing on to Warner Lake. From there the trail connects to a route that mountain bikers themselves built several years ago called the Hazard County Trail. It cuts through beautiful stands of oak and aspen through the Mason Draw area of the mountain, and ends up on the Loop Road, where it meets with the breathtaking Castle Valley overlook.

At this point, the trail is poised at a juncture of the Kokopelli Trail, and the more well known Porcupine Rim Trail, which winds along the cliff overlooking Castle Valley and ends up at the Colorado River at 4,000 feet in elevation. The nature of this ride is billed, not unlike a super-long ski run, as having a 7,000-foot drop, offering non-motorized wheeled riders thrills unsurpassed by other mountain-biking venues.

Recently, a letter to the editor lamented the speed, noise and increased number of bikers on the Burro Pass Trail. And for someone who was able to enjoy the serenity it offered, say 10 or 20 years ago, the concerns are very real. A major issue with the Burro Pass Trail is that most mountain bikers ride down from the top, and most foot and equine users hike up from Warner Lake. Bikers need to be particularly aware of their speed so that they can yield to oncoming traffic, and ascending travelers need to be equally aware.

All users need to keep in mind that our national forests have been designated as multiple use areas, where all kinds of recreation, grazing and mining can take place. The Forest Service has responsibility to monitor the use and ensure that the capacity of the trails is holding up to demands, particularly in terms of commercial outfitters. Visitors to the mountain this summer may note an increase in signage at trailheads and road intersections, helping to facilitate the visitors’ experience on the La Sals. Some trails that hadn’t been cleared in a couple of decades are now free of downfall.

The Forest Service also has some responsibility for the safety of mountain users, and in this case should encourage bikers to travel at speeds that won’t lead to potential collisions with oncoming traffic.

Trail etiquette dictates that cyclists yield to pedestrian and equine traffic, and that foot traffic yields to equines. Perhaps the signs that designate this triangle of trail users should be installed at all trail heads, and particularly where the new Whole Enchilada trail maps have been installed.

Moab recreationists have come a long way over the years in building new trails and accommodating diverse users. This is evident in the active Trail Mix group and the Ride with Respect organization, whose members include motorized trail riders.

Further cooperation among users is clearly needed, in partnership with state and federal land management agencies. But the ultimate goal is for everyone to safely enjoy our public lands without conflict from others they meet on the trail.