Utah · Mountain biking · Near Moab

Captain Ahab

16.0 mi
loop
1,800 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Loop
route
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
best months

Captain Ahab is a 16-mile loop on Bureau of Land Management land in the Moab Field Office, about 5 miles from the town of Moab, Utah. The trail is a technical mountain biking route, known for its sustained slickrock climbing and descending and for the views of the Behind the Rocks area it offers along the way. It is rated expert, with a total elevation gain of 1,800 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Moab show April highs around 72°F and October highs around 74°F, while July averages near 99°F. The HyMasa Trail and the Upper Captain Ahab Trail both start within half a mile, and the Scorched Earth Crag climbing area is about 0.5 miles away. William's Bottom Campground, about a mile off, is the closest place to camp.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Williams Bottom Camping Area

    Campground

    Campground · 1.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Domino's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 4 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Launching Pad

    Attraction

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Moab

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit Captain Ahab

    Best months: March–May and October–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      44° / 21°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      52° / 27°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      65° / 36°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 43°

      5 wet

    5. May

      83° / 51°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      94° / 59°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      99° / 66°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      96° / 64°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      88° / 55°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      74° / 42°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 30°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 22°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Moab, UT, 5 mi away at 4,053 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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