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Amasa Back trail
This 4.3-mile, expert-level dusty canyon trail is the stuff of Jeep commercials, with rust-colored canyons and blue sky as the stunning backdrop for advanced bikers. Captain Ahab branches off the popular <anchor>Amasa Back trail</anchor>, challenging its contenders with technical slickrock portions and big climbs along the Colorado River that open up into flowing, flatter sections.
Amasa Back / Cliffhanger Mountain Bike Trail, Moab, Utah
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# Amasa Back / Cliffhanger

RECOMMENDED ROUTE

DifficultDifficult

 4.3 (56)

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## “One of Moab's classic rides, featuring steep drops, big exposure, great views, and a rugged climb.  ”

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### 8.8

Miles

### 14.2

KM

### 0%

Singletrack

### 4,927'   1,502 m

High

### 3,991'   1,216 m

Low

### 1,327'   405 m

Up

### 1,328'   405 m

Down

### 6%

Avg Grade
(3°)

### 21%

Max Grade
(12°)

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### Overview  

Ask any good rider to list their favorite Moab trails and Amasa Back is sure to make the top 3. Challenging technical ups and lots of thrilling down options combine with stunning scenery, great campsites, and easy access to make this ride an absolute classic.

But Cliffhanger, the road up to the top of the Amasa Back, started out as a Jeep road and it's still very popular with the moto crowd. So, don't go on a busy spring or fall weekend unless you are fine with sharing. You can also do the up by using the HyMasa Trail to avoid the motos.

If you still have energy after your ride, some of Moab's best petroglyph panels are within several hundred yards of the trailhead, as is Cable Arch. There are scenic short hikes into Moonshine and Hunter Canyons, and excellent moderate rock climbing at the nearby Ice Cream Parlor.

### Need to Know  

You ride across Kane Creek at the beginning of this trail. It's usually shallow and easily managed, but can swell to become impassible during thunderstorms.

### Description  

Drive from Moab along the south side of the Colorado River to Kane Creek. Your choice of parking area will depend on your desired descent route. If you intend to descend Jackson's singletrack, park at the mouth of Kane Creek Canyon (watch out for goatheads!). Otherwise, drive up the canyon to the large parking area just past the Tombstones.

From this parking, either take the new single along the creek, or pedal up the road 1/2-mile to the trailhead, signed Amasa Back and Cliffhanger. Drop immediately down the technical "Staircase". At the bottom, there is a short singletrack diversion from the jeep road that has a tricky little drop. Rejoin the road, cross Kane Creek and climb up to the Jackson Hole rim, about 2-miles in.

This trail segment is a steady climb over slickrock, stair-step ledges and some sand. There are a number of really challenging technical sections that are mostly rideable if you have the energy to session a bit. You'll have more fun on these if you are fitter, so train before you get to Moab, and do Amasa Back before you are worn out at the end of your week.

Watch for the Captain Ahab signs as you climb up. If you decide you want a short day, you can take the second sign to cut over and descend Lower Ahab.

When you reach the Jackson Hole rim, Upper Captain Ahab splits off to follow the rim up and left. You'll follow the rim down and right. The scenery is mind boggling as you pedal along the edge with a 400-ft drop just feet away. The road here has some difficult sections, but there's only one really challenging feature at the narrowest, most restricted point: a 3-foot drop into a loose, bouldery runout. Most riders will walk this one.

After roughly half a mile on the rim, you'll ride over a water pipe to reach the Amasa Back neck. You have three choices here: 1) continue straight, climbing up and out the Amasa Back; 2) go right to cross the neck and descend Jackson's Trail to the mouth of Kane Creek; 3) go left to descend Jacob's (Jackson's) Ladder to Jackson Hole (not recommended in this direction!). Let's go straight.

The road rises steadily and there are some difficult sections. About 3/4-mile past the water pipe, you'll reach a singletrack going right. This fun trail takes you along the Billboard out to Pothole Arch, or some great freeform slickrock riding, or to Rockstacker. Most riders will probably prefer this option.

Continuing straight on the jeep road will have you at the rim again in about a mile. This is the end of the line. Return the way you came and choose your preferred way out: Rockstacker, Jackson's Trail, Upper or Lower Captain Ahab, or back down Amasa Back / Cliffhanger the way you came. Except for Jacob's (Jackson's) Ladder, all options are fun!

### History & Background  

Jackson Hole, on the south end of the Amasa Back, is an abandoned river meander.

The ponds on the other side of the Colorado River are potash evaporation ponds. This operation started as a hard rock mine before an accident in 1963 killed 18 miners. Now, river water is injected into the Paradox formation, and the resulting salt solution returned to the surface for reclamation. Blue dye is added to increase evaporation rates.

Potash is any of several salts that contains water-soluble potassium. It's largely used in fertilizer, but is also an important industrial chemical used for such diverse applications as aluminum recycling, electroplating, medicine, and soap, beer, pharmaceutical and rubber production.

### Contacts

### Shared By:

F Felix with improvements
by Kristen Arendt
and 1 other

Full Details

## Trail Ratings

4.3
from
56 votes

### #2

### #307

Show Breakdown

4.3
from
56 votes

5 Star

43%

4 Star

41%

3 Star

14%

2 Star

2%

1 Star

0%

Recommended Route Rankings

### #2

### #36

### #307

107 Views Last Month

36,926 Since Dec 3, 2013

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12%


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6%

## Photos

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## 4 Comments

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## Weather

## Current Trail Conditions

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## Conditions History

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## Add Check-In

Date

Mileage

Duration

Notes

Rate QualityRatingRatingRatingRatingRating

Rate Difficulty

EasyEasy
Flat. Few obstacles.

Easy/IntermediateEasy/Intermediate
Some uneven terrain. Mostly flat.

IntermediateIntermediate
Moderately steep. Uneven terrain with small rocks or roots.

Intermediate/DifficultIntermediate/Difficult
Sizable rocks & roots. Steep sections.

DifficultDifficult
Steep. Some technical terrain and limited alternate lines.

Very DifficultVery Difficult
Very steep. Technical terrain with no alternate lines.

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## Check-Ins

Jun 19, 2024

Private User

Mar 21, 2024

Jun 29, 2021

Show 47 More Check-Ins

Oct 13, 2020

9mi

May 14, 2020

Oct 11, 2019

May 3, 2019

Awesome time on the trail. Amasa/cliffhanger/pothole arach/rockstacker. Perfect amount of tech and flow.
13.8mi
—
2h 43m

Apr 21, 2019

Show 42 More Check-Ins

Mar 22, 2019

Nov 21, 2018

Out Hymasa, Amasa back to start of Pothole. Back on Amasa to Jackson. Didn't go real fast.

Oct 19, 2018

Muy bueno!!

Oct 8, 2018

Jul 27, 2018

9.1mi

May 25, 2018

Amasa Back did not disappoint. Rode this from 5p on. It was marvelous.

May 12, 2018

Apr 16, 2018

Apr 14, 2018

Tooooo technical
9mi

Dec 27, 2017

pretty fun trail. first time to Moab, first trail. had a blast!
9.1mi

May 14, 2017

We rode this uphill to get to Pothole arch. It was uphill but not terrible.
9.1mi

May 6, 2017

20mi

Apr 30, 2017

Private User

Nov 22, 2016

Oct 31, 2016

Oct 14, 2016

Oct 7, 2016

Oct 7, 2016

12.2mi
—
2h 01m

Oct 3, 2016

Oct 2, 2016

Aug 8, 2016

May 4, 2016

Amasaback out to pothole arch. Pretty technical.
—
3h 45m

Apr 21, 2016

Mar 12, 2016

Aug 22, 2015

almost no shade here, you can't bring too much water!
9.1mi

May 24, 2015

Apr 17, 2015

Mar 28, 2015

Nov 1, 2014

Oct 25, 2014

Oct 18, 2014

Jul 16, 2014

freaking awesome, good climbs, great decents

May 24, 2014

May 24, 2014

Apr 25, 2014

Apr 11, 2014

The New Hymesa Trail is the best way back down. superior trail building

Mar 31, 2014

10.9mi
—
4h 18m

Oct 26, 2013

Sep 7, 2013

Apr 22, 2013

Private User

Jul 26, 2007

killer in every way
9.1mi

May 18, 2006

## Nearby Recommended Routes



## Add Rating

Rate Quality

RatingRatingRatingRatingRating

Clear Rating

Rate Difficulty(optional)

EasyEasy
Flat. Few obstacles.

Easy/IntermediateEasy/Intermediate
Some uneven terrain. Mostly flat.

IntermediateIntermediate
Moderately steep. Uneven terrain with small rocks or roots.

Intermediate/DifficultIntermediate/Difficult
Sizable rocks & roots. Steep sections.

DifficultDifficult
Steep. Some technical terrain and limited alternate lines.

Very DifficultVery Difficult
Very steep. Technical terrain with no alternate lines.

Save Rating



## Rating Details

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## Difficulty ratings

Easy
Flat. Few obstacles.

Easy/Intermediate
Some uneven terrain. Mostly flat.

Intermediate
Moderately steep. Uneven terrain with small rocks or roots.

Intermediate/Difficult
Sizable rocks & roots. Steep sections.

Difficult
Steep. Some technical terrain and limited alternate lines.

Very Difficult
Very steep. Technical terrain with no alternate lines.



## Difficulty Rating

### Average from 33 votes:

DifficultDifficult

### Your Rating

EasyEasy
Flat. Few obstacles.

Easy/IntermediateEasy/Intermediate
Some uneven terrain. Mostly flat.

IntermediateIntermediate
Moderately steep. Uneven terrain with small rocks or roots.

Intermediate/DifficultIntermediate/Difficult
Sizable rocks & roots. Steep sections.

DifficultDifficult
Steep. Some technical terrain and limited alternate lines.

Very DifficultVery Difficult
Very steep. Technical terrain with no alternate lines.



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