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Killer B Trail
Descent from Bar B to old highway 191
The Killer B is a very short but insanely steep downhill route in the Brand
Trails. It extends from the
south end of the Bar B loop to old highway
191. Killer B itself is only
0.8 miles in length, but the minimum ride that will get you on this trail
is 8.4 miles.
View on an easier trail segment.
Singletrack aiming downhill, as we rock over rock outcrops. Photos and
writeup by Bruce, April 2009. |
The first portion of Killer B
is a steep straight run.
Nothing too hard here, you've just got to control the skid. |
The trail dips through a
little valley (we're looking back
at where we've been). Very tricky riding these boulders. |
Boulder slab, with skidmarks
showing the route.
Very steep. That little stripe is the 4-lane highway below. |
A quick 90-degree turn and
uphill. If you think you
can ride this stunt clean, I want to come watch! |
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You'll descend 650 feet, an average 20% rate of drop. Only
very skilled riders should go on this trail! A couple of sandstone slabs
are so steep, you can't stand up in bike shoes -- you gotta ride!
It's not all downhill. As you whip up
the little hill, you'll need to thread the needle through several
squeezes. There's a sharp chainring catcher as you cross over (upper left,
right at the top edge of the photo). |
| At 0.6 miles from the top, the trail forks. The older trail
to the left descends a series of steps. It's hike-a-bike. To the right,
you'll descend through some switchbacks on the newer 2012 trail.
Looking down a couple of switchbacks.
Still a bit loose in November 2012, but better than hiking the stairs! |
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Approaching the hike-a-bike. You've got
another
60 feet to ride, then it's time to pack it down the cliff. |
Don't try to ride this. Even if you can,
you'll just
tear things up and make it dangerous for everybody else. |
Riding notes, Bar M - Killer B - 191 loop:
0.0 Exit parking, turn right and ride south
0.7 Pass Gemini underpass, keep straight
1.7 Fork L (leave 191)
2.3 Fork R (L = Bar M shortcut)
2.9 Keep straight (Bar M loops to L)
After 100 feet, fork R on ST =
Bar B
4.3 Fork R downhill on Killer B
4.6 Veer R on narrow trail
4.9 Fork. Ride R or go L and start hiking!
5.0 R on Old 191 uphill
6.7 Straight on Bar M
8.4 Back at parking
We're at the bottom, where the hiking
route and the bike switchbacks come together. Yes, it is possible (but
very hard) to do Killer B uphill.. |
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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, then right again into the parking area. GPS N 38°
39.38' W 109° 40.66'. The trail starts by riding the gravel road either
north or south. Our ride description assumes you'll ride south out
of the parking lot, counterclockwise on the Bar M. |
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