Moab - A Portal to Mars

You drive for hours, no matter where you are coming from, crossing through empty deserts, vast mountains, or grassy plains. You haven't seen a town for quite some time, and begin to wonder where on Earth you are headed. However, as you get closer to your destination, you notice one key thing: everything is turning red. Maybe you think it is the effect of the warm colors of the sunset in the distance, or maybe you think that you are getting so tired of driving in a straight line that your vision is failing you. Though in reality, the dirt and rock around you is actually changing color the closer you get. It is as if you have gone through a Portal to Mars.

Moab, Utah, is one of the most unique places I have had the pleasure of visiting in my life. It really is like you are on another planet. It is an outdoor mecca with limitless access to nearly any type of recreation you could imagine. I personally visit with the intention of partaking in some of the most notorious

Home for a night

mountain biking in the country, but many visit for the climbing, hiking, rafting, off-roading, or even skydiving! There are hundreds of free campsites thanks to the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), but if you want to stay in a little bit nicer accommodations, there are also countless short-term rentals and hotels available. In my opinion, camping is by far the best option. Sleeping under the stars in a place with almost zero light pollution is a very special thing. Not to mention, you can watch the sun set (or rise) over incredible views of red rocks, canyons, valleys, and incredible rock features. Plus, almost anywhere you go in Moab to camp, you will be within walking or biking distance from amazing trail systems and well-maintained recreation areas.

Watching the sunrise as Moab awakens for a day of adventure.

If you don't want to get active, the scenery will still blow you away! There is a very cute downtown with good options for food, coffee, trinkets, and other things to entertain just about anyone.

Campsite in Kane Creek Canyon

As a mountain-biker, some of my favorite trails are Captain Ahab, Raptor

Route, Portal, and of course, the famous Whole Enchilada. These trails are at a very high difficulty level, so I would not recommend them to beginners. For example, most of the Portal trail is along the edge of a cliff, starting about 1300ft above the ground. The consequences are high, but the natural terrain and views lead to some of the most epic riding one can find in the States. On a note of the Ahab system, there are countless free campsites down the same road just past the trail head! This is where I find myself most often when visiting Moab. Just drive until you see a spot that feels good for you, and set up camp!

Breakfast with a view

I have made a tradition of going to Moab each spring and fall (in what we call the shoulder season). During these times, the weather is perfect, the work at home is slow, and the friends are generally all available for a trip. It has become

one of my favorite places to adventure and bring friends to, and I hope that any of you reading this get to see it someday!