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Portal Trail Mountain Bike Trail
Moab, Utah
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
5 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 5/7/09 by david_darling |
Difficulty:  Expert |
| Length: 4 miles | Global Rank: #1026 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Out & Back |
| Ridden: 39 | Wishlist: 18 |
| Avg. Speed: 2.67 mph | Avg. Time: 0hr 45min |
Directions:
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Description: Very technical with extreme exposure. There are signs that say riders were killed on the trail - likely by falling over the cliff. Do not ride this from the bottom up, but use this route to finish riding Gold Bar Rim or Poison Spider (for a loop). Bring a camera and pay attention.
Description: Very technical with extreme exposure. There are signs that say riders were killed on the trail - likely by falling over the cliff. Do not ride this from the bottom up, but use this route to finish riding Gold Bar Rim or Poison Spider (for a loop). Bring a camera and pay attention.
added on March 14, 2007 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Poison Spider Mesa in Moab
Slickrock in Moab
Porcupine Rim in Moab
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by fickle_hellcat on May 5, 2011
This trail, although not one of my favorites in the area (but a good ending to PS Mesa), is something of a classic rite of passage that you must do at least once. The exposure section is reasonably safe except a short 10 meter section that's obvious. Otherwise you probably won't feel like you're on the edge of a cliff. After that, like others have said, the descent is just super technical with several walking sections (unless you're either insane or that skilled).
* Review edited 5/5/2011
reviewed by maddslacker on March 15, 2011
This trail is possibly ridable by the truly insane. As a hike-a-bike it's actually quite interesting with incredible views. I used it to complete GoldBar rim -> Golden Spike without having to backtrack.
reviewed by david_darling on May 7, 2009
Death defying descent. Super Sketchy. Thrillseekers only. I love it. Not recommended.
Similar Trail: Moab Rim
reviewed by frking on April 17, 2008
This trail prevents the Poison Spider Mesa trail from being an out-and-back, and has a fierce reputation as a man-eater. It is hard to find, and the one section where people died is clearly marked - although most people's common sense will be screaming out warnings without needing a sign to tell you to dismount. The spot marked as the falling point for the fatalities is a perfect storm of a high rock obstacle ready to catch chain rings or bash guards, a protruding rock leaning into the trail at rider height, and exposure to a short, steeply pitched slope falling off hundreds of feet to the river. The rest of the trail is technically challenging and not especially death-defying. There are some gonzo moments, though with rock ledges and limited exposure, as well as some dips that will exert g-forces on the fast moving rider. At the bottom it is just a short ride up the road back to the parking lot for Poison Spider Mesa trail.
Similar Trail: Porcupine Rim Trail
reviewed by BobinConifer on September 5, 2007
Portal is sort of a necessary evil after Gold Bar or Poison Spider. Great views over Moab but the riding is pretty sketchy since there are many places that you will die if you fall. Once you get around the corner and face the canyon instead of Moab the descent is a lot more fun with some very tight and technical drops and little flumes. I think a lot of people might opt to ride this because of its reputation as a killer but it's not a great ride-- it's just a great short cut.
Similar Trail: base jumping
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