This trail east of Moab is a very nice example of slickrock and happens to be one of my favorite trails. The trail climbs over many steep rocks, has a few tippy spots and some nice obstacles which can be bypassed if desired. We have done this trail on a previous visit to Moab but this time we are prepared for the major obstacles without any bypasses.

The first obstacle is a narrow fin which has to be conquered. If you don't feel comfortable doing this part, better stay off the trail alltogether…
Here we come across a few Moto Cross riders whom we meet several times on the trail which is very popular and criss-crosses the Slickrock Bicycle Trail on and off. Please yield to bicyclists. The tire marks and blazes lead the way pretty clearly through most of the trail. Some sections are very narrow, the approach angle of the vehicle is tested and we cruise along up and down the huge slickrock formations. At one point roughly in the middle of the trail there is a spur road on the right which leads us to an awe-inspiring overlook. The view stetches over the slickrock we have just past and down into the deep gorge which the Colorado River has carved. We meet a couple of 4-wheelers at this beautiful spot and after enjoying the scenery we return to the main trail and continue up some steep sections to the Mickey's Hot Tubs and we conquer one of the two. From there a narrow passage leads back down the rocks into a sandy area from where the famous 'Escalator' climbs uphill. Since we are by ourselves I don't want to risk getting stuck in the deep hole half way up the incline and so we skip it (hopefully to be done in the future…). Both obstacles are obtional additions just off the trail. A little further on there is one of the biggest obstacles of this trail, the Tip-Over Challenge. This time we won't bypass it! The tremendously steep rock is covered with tire marks and has become extremely slippery. There is first a step and further up also a mean crack in the middle to throw you off balance. Careful tire placement is crucial and the advice of a spotter is surely helpful. After this heart-stopping adventure the following Rubble Trouble, a rocky incline with loose sand, is a walk in the park.
The final challenge comes just before the end with a tippy squeeze right on the foot of Lion's Back (quite a few hard-top rigs have left their marks on the rock walls) before some big rock steps lead downhill to the Sand Flats Road.

The awesome scenery and the steep climbs and various obstacles make this one of my favorite trails. The difficulty of this area stems mostly from the psychological factor when facing narrow fins, steep climbs and tippy spots. The slickrock is a surface which provides plenty of traction and the fairly soft Pro Comp Tires offer tremendous grip.

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Directions: From Main Street in Moab go east on Center Street to 400 East Street. Turn right and go south. Turn left on Millcreek Drive and go straight through the Stop sign. Follow Sand Flats Road to the Sand Flats Recreation Area and turn left just after the entrance station. There is a sign and you go up over a narrow fin. Follow the yellow flames painted on the rock.