2 minute read
Poison Spider Mesa Trail
Jeramey & Mary McElhaney, Leaders Big Saturday, 4/16
Poison Spider Mesa forms one of the cliff features that are a part of the Moab landscape northwest of town. The mesa is bordered on the east by the Moab valley and on the south by the Colorado River. Access is by scenic byway UT279. The trail ascends to the rim via the sloping rock layers. The fi rst few miles of trail must be retraced, but a lot of the travel time will be spent on a loop that reaches the rim. It has become one of our most popular trails because it has great scenery and the jeeping is challenging enough to be fun without being a vehicle buster. Incidentally, we love the name, but the population of Black Widows is probably no greater than other local areas. Approximate mileages: 37 total, 16 off highway.
Scenery: The vista across the fi ns of the Behind the Rocks area toward the La Sal Mountains is as fi ne as they come. The rim view overlooks Moab 1,000 feet below and includes a 300 degree panorama. The usual lunch stop is a short hike to so called “Little Arch” that has a nice view of the Moab Rim Trail. Jeep Arch is seen clearly from the rim. Bart Jacobs Sunday 4/10
Ed Weber Thursday 4/14 Richard Mick Tuesday 4/12
To be used:
Sunday 4/10 Tuesday 4/12 Thursday 4/14 and Big Saturday 4/16
Road Surface: Much of the loop portion is on Navajo Sandstone slickrock, with one section of .4 miles of bare rock. There are numerous rock ledges, sandy wash bottom, and two blow-sand hills.
Highlights: After some initial switchbacks that travel is making tougher, and a sandy fl at stretch, a sandy canyon leads to the “The Waterfall”.
Ascent is over several rock ledges in the next quarter mile that give the trail its rating. There is an optional V notch section that makes for great pictures, either triumphant or tragic. The scenery all day is worth the trip by itself.
Associate Leaders:
Eric Bryson, Marc Bryson, Ray Carter, Dan Haak, Mike Huitt, Ray Jenkins, Chrispy Patrick, Nathan Riggs, Joe Stanley, Steve Roach, Rich Shuker, Mike Tarvin.
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