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Klondike Bluffs: Baby Steps -> Alaska -> Homer Loop

Moab

A fantastic 17-mile tech-forward loop at Klondike Bluffs.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
27 km
Ascent
516 m
Descent
516 m
Duration
2-3 hrs
Low Point
1.4 km
High Point
1.6 km
Gradient
Klondike Bluffs: Baby Steps -> Alaska -> Homer Loop Map

The Klondike Bluffs Trail System is a complex network of singletrack that appears to run in all directions when you look at it on a map. However, with a bit of planning and strategy, you can stitch the trails here into a wide variety of route options ranging from beginner to advanced. The route shown here connects Baby Steps to Alaska to Homer (and many other trail segments), forming a high-quality loop composed almost entirely of singletrack.

Description

The ride begins from the North Klondike Trailhead by following some of the easiest trails in the trail system—Midline, Jasper, and Jurassic—to reach the main climb up the Baby Steps trail. Alternatively, for a slightly more technical ride down toward Baby Steps, you could also follow Dino Flow. See, didn't I tell you the options are nearly endless?

Baby Steps is one of the main climbing routes in the trail system, ascending steadily up an old doubletrack road composed of a mix of dirt, sand, and rock slabs. In order to maximize the singletrack, this route splits off of Baby Steps onto Sidestep and then Instep, following more entertaining singletrack that mostly climbs up the ridge. This route makes the most of the twisting up-and-down singletrack in this area, but for a more direct route, simply stick to the Baby Steps doubletrack road.

After rolling along the top of the ridge on a mix of doubletrack, singletrack, and slickrock slabs, you'll finally reach Mega Steps. The quality of the riding really ratchets up once on Mega Steps, but instead of descending Mega Steps, you'll remain on top of the ridge to pick up the Alaska trail. Alaska provides superb ridgeline riding with entertaining rock slabs, rock rolls, and other tech features. This is one of the highlights of the ride, combining a delightful trail character with stupendous 360-degree views.

Alaska takes a left turn and begins ripping back down the side of the ridge with a vengeance! This rock slab-filled descent is an absolute riot and epitomizes Moab's modern combination of singletrack and rock slab trail routing. Despite a few short riser climbs, it's easy to keep the downhill pace high!

For the most consistent descent, take a right onto the Homer Trail to drop straight down the ridge back toward the trailhead. This choice keeps the pace high and the descent rolling fast! If you want to add in more up-and-down riding, you can continue on Alaska and possibly add in the Nome trail.

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.

High Exposure

3 out of 4

Some trail sections have exposed ledges or steep ascents/descents where falling could cause serious injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between March and November

Features

  • Technical
  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • Drops
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area