The Circle O trail is an excellent addition to Moab's selection of
rides, new in 2007. The trail is 100% slickrock, on top of Entrada
sandstone. The Circle O trail itself is only about 3.5 miles long with
only 200 feet absolute elevation change. But to get there, you need to
ride part of the Bar M trail, so the shortest total ride that includes the
Circle O will be about 10 miles. This trail is one of the "Moab
Brand Trails".
Chad
climbs the rock. The trail constantly goes up, down, around, and offers
small ledges and wheel-trap challenges. Photos September 2, 2007.
You can get to the Circle O by riding the Bar M in either
direction. I prefer to ride clockwise, starting north on old 191, then
circling south toward the Circle O. In this direction, you'll pass the
"finish" point of the Circle O about 3 miles from the start, but
you'll continue on the Bar M to the Circle O's official "start"
a mile later.
Advanced riders may ride counterclockwise on Bar M, riding the Bar B
Loop, then Circle A to the slickrock portion of Circle O. Completing the
remainder of Bar M, this ride is 12.5 miles. The up-and-down sandstone
makes this route a bit of work.
Dominic leads Mike on the rock of the
Bar M trail, heading for the Circle O.
You will NOT be disappointed in the rock riding here. It
offers plenty of fun for advanced riders, but is fairly non-threatening
for intermediate riders. There are a few spots where you need to throw the
front wheel over a wheel-trap -- lift the bike over if you don't know how.
The trail is constant motion. Up and down, circling around. The trail
is marked by a narrow strip of concrete stain on the rock. It's not
perfect, but it's fairly straightforward navigation.
Chad launches off a ledge. Note the
stripe to the right of the rider. That's the marking strip that shows the
trail route.
M.O.A.B. ride with Circle
O and Rockin A
If the above video does not appear on your
browser/device, you can watch it on YouTube by clicking
here.
Circle-O, counterclockwise from northern
Bar-M
0.0 L out of parking, North on old 191
N38 39.223 W109 40.469
1.2 Curve R on DT
N38 40.134 W109 41.020
1.5 Find ST along edge of gorge
N38 40.111 W109 40.814
1.9 R up wash, L on DT
N38 39.954 W109 40.481
2.6 Keep R (L=return from loop)
N38 39.646 W109 39.868
Mike follows Chad up and around a
patch of Juniper.
2.9 Straight (L) on Bar M
N38 39.488 W109 39.716
3.9 Fork L on DT (leave Bar M)
N38 39.129 W109 39.121
4.1 DT ends, start ST
N38 39.166 W109 38.907
7.0 R on DT
N38 39.712 W109 39.689
7.2 Back at Bar M
N38 39.646 W109 39.868
Fork R for lariat loop
(Fork L to complete Bar M loop)
10 Parking
Mike puts the hammer down to climb a
short slope.
Getting there:
From the north: Drive south on US-191 for 22 miles south of I-70. From
Moab, drive 7 miles north from the Colorado River on 191. When you see
the Gemini Bridges parking area, look for a gravel road on the opposite
side (east, away from the cliffs). Turn onto the gravel road and
immediately go right. Drive past the first restaurant parking area. GPS N 38°
39.38' W 109° 40.66'. Continue south to the new parking spot in the
valley. The trail starts by returning to the gravel road and riding either
north or south. Our ride description assumes you'll ride north
(clockwise).
