Moab (Utah) Trail Running

[goingup]

Hello Friends,

Making a trip out to Moab/Canyonlands over Thanksgiving Break and was wondering if there were any must do trail running recommendations. Have been to Utah but never the Moab area.

Ideally runs with some class 3/4 scrambling and a healthy amount of elevation gain would be ideal. Or long and scenic. Or anything that is something worth checking out while there.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[tlongpine]

How far? Which district of Canyonlands?

http://www.irunfar.com/2012/10/trail-ru ... -utah.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[peter303]

I've run inside the national parks there, combining sightseeing with exercise.

Two run-hikes in Arches are (1) the trail to Delicate Arch which is rocky and has climbing, and the Devil Gardens trail at the end of the road. Delicate Arch gets crodwd in the afternoon and sunset.
In north Ganyonlands there is the Dome loop (which is too rocky for my taste) and umarked trails by the Grand View rim. The road down into valley is well-graded, but has too much truck traffic.

[dehrlich101]

http://www.irunfar.com/2012/10/trail-ru ... -utah.html

[goingup]

How far? Which district of Canyonlands?

http://www.irunfar.com/2012/10/trail-ru ... -utah.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Found that website was hoping for some personal opinions on here. In the 20 + or - 5 miles range...not afraid of distance.

[pbakwin]

There's tons. +1 for the Gold Bar Rim / Golden Spike / Poison Spider route. Anything off of I-Sky & down onto the White Rim Rd & back up another way is excellent. The coolest of those isn't on the map, but right from Grandview Pt you can scramble down an old "trail" and intersect the W.R. Near Junction Butte. Scrambling up the Butte is also very cool. The primative loop out by Landscape Arch in ANP is excellent. Lots you can put together in the Needles too! Hard to go wrong out there.

[planet54]

I think the Needles District is the best. It is roughly an hour + from Moab though. Start at Elephant Hill, go to Chesler Park, the Joint Trail, maybe Druid Arch. Expect slickrock, sand and dirt trails and a little bit of scrambling. Not very much elevation gain. I've been there a bunch of times and it never gets old.

[CBinmt]

Here's a GE track of an 11 mile route in the Needles (Big Springs/Elephant Canyons), I did it as a hike but felt it would be a fine run. A bit or route finding caused some delay. If this seems too short detour to Druid Arch and for even more distance, route thru Chesler Park. You even get to climbs some ladders. Hopefully the file goes thru.

[Tory Wells]

I can recommend Druid Arch as a great trail run in Canyonlands. About 11 mi RT over rolling terrain and a fun trail up Elephant Canyon to the arch. There are some opportunities for scrambling when you reach the arch.

One I have not done yet but REALLY want to is the run to Angel Arch, the largest arch in Canyonlands and truly spectacular. Apparently it is quite remote and the shortest trail to Angel Arch is 20 miles RT.

Not my photo, but this is Angel Arch and 'The Molar'.

[tlongpine]

I think the Needles District is the best. It is roughly an hour + from Moab though. Start at Elephant Hill, go to Chesler Park, the Joint Trail, maybe Druid Arch. Expect slickrock, sand and dirt trails and a little bit of scrambling. Not very much elevation gain. I've been there a bunch of times and it never gets old.

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