LPS (Porcupine) in Moab

So this past weekend some folks I work with headed west for desert riding. This trip was dedicated to trying some new trails that none of us have ever done. The first one was LPS (Lower Porcupine Singletrack) which is now totally legal and on the maps. This is a beauty of a trail. Think of the section of the normal porc between the first lookout at the top of the climb all the way to "high anxiety lookout" and just multiply it by 3. There is more singletrack above LPS but is not quite legal as of yet so we opted to play by the rules. I believe there are good reasons trails are closed and I know if I was a Moab local I wouldn't want everybody from the front range and elsewhere on illegal trails. It can ruin it for everyone.

The LPS trailhead is exactly 4.1 miles from the Porcupine Trailhead proper on Sand Flats road. The trail goes left right before the cattle guard. It is such a great trail, I will never ever ever climb up the main trail again. This is the way to go and there were only a small number of other riders that did the same so we virtually had this trail to ourselves. There is a section of this trail that is over the top in terms of steepness and technical difficulty. The photo below shows a guy pinning it with no problem. Very impressive. Just below this section is some more very steep but rideable sweeping trail that is stomach on the seat fun.

Take my word and next time you are out in Moab, ride this trail.

We also did Baby steps which is a new trail as of March 06. It is a finger loop off of Klondike Bluffs. I will do a seperate post for this one.




On our way up Sand Flats toward LPS

Cattle Guard and trailhead for LPS

Sample of the trail (the rim is to the left)

This is one of the sickest descents I've seen. No one from our group had the nuts or the bike to pull this off. This guy cleaned it with no problems. If you ever get to see this drop, you will be blown away, the photo just doesn't do it justice.

Another trail sampler.

A look out to Castle Valley south of the main lookout where everyone and their sister hang out.

This is where the trail dumps out onto the standard porcupine trail. This is just below the main lookout area. I wonder how many times I've ridden right past this spot and never even noticed it. Everytime actually.