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Hazard County
Hazard County is a great stunt trail for DH bikes. The only problem is,
there's this darn CLIMB that starts it out. Well, it's only 200 vertical
feet over 1/2 mile, but still...
The trail starts near the Warner Lake Campground in the La Sal
Mountains. It's 3 miles long with a descent of 1000 vertical feet.
Note: Hazard County will be affected by
the closure of the La Sal Loop Road for construction through the summer,
with closure until May 26. See the information here: 2017
La Sal Loop road closure information
Mike climbs the hill on the uphill
section of Hazard. September 3, 2007. |
Although fairly high in altitude (8500 feet) the trail has a
dry "foothill" feel to it. The sun-exposed slopes on the DH
portion are covered with oak brush. Sort of like a "super Lambert
Park".
We're at the top of the hill, looking
out over the trail's course through dry brush. Later, we'll hit gambel
oak. The Moab valley is visible below the cliff line. |
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Once you're at the top, the first item of business is a
series of gap jumps. These are armored (stone reinforced) ramps that
launch you into the air. Then there's nothing but air until a landing ramp
about six to eight feet away.
The gap jumps look fun. We didn't dare -- the penalty for hitting the
upside of the down-ramp was too high for us on our little XC bikes without
body armor.
Chad emerges from the aspens at the
top of Hazard. |
| The gap jumps are on a fairly mild slope, with the trail
winding back and forth through a windswept meadow area. As you hit the
edge of the hill, you enter some aspens, then oak.
In the oak area, the trail twists back and forth like a dying snake.
Most turns are banked, and many have a stone "kicker" to help
you nail the corner.
Chad approaches a gap jump. The
landing strip is facing the camera. |
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It was hard to really rail those turns the first time down
the trail. With a few trips back to the top, you should be screaming down.
We suggest you take two vehicles and shuttle. Or better yet, bribe a
designated driver to dump you at the top and haul you back up. Over and
over.
Dom lands a hop off a rock.
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If you're riding Hazard County as part of the Whole
Enchilada, you'll find the trail just outside the Warner Lake
Campground. Navigate the campground roads and just after you exit, fork to
the right up the hill on Hazard County. Once you complete Hazard, you have
the option of riding a fast straight-shot on Kokopelli to UPS,
or you can catch the new Jimmy Keen singletrack. Jimmy Keen starts at the
viewpoint on the La Sal Loop road just to the east of the end of Hazard.
Or you can head down Kokopelli about 1/10 mile to where the singletrack
crosses and fork left. Here's
a map. |
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| Getting there: On Moab's Main Street, head south on
US-191. Zero your odometer at Center Street Center Street and drive 8.2
miles. Turn left toward Ken's Lake - La Sal Loop Road. At the T
intersection 1/2 mile later, turn right. Climb uphill on the paved La Sal
Loop Road. Around mile 25, watch for a doubletrack on the left with a sign
"Kokopelli Trail." Leave your shuttle vehicle here. Now
backtrack about 3 miles to the Warner Campground road. Drive about 4.5
miles up the gravel road and watch for the "Hazard" sign on the
left. The trailhead is a short distance up as you fork left. |
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