Long Amasa Loop

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This loop is highlighted by incredible beauty and 360-degree vistas.

Early is better to avoid the jeep and mountain biking crowds.

Starting from the parking lot just down Kane Creek Road from the Amasa Back trailhead, hike up the road to the trailhead, head down the hill on Hymasa Start Segment and cross the stream. Climb the jeep trail for a short ways before forking left onto Captain Ahab Trail.

Captain Ahab Trail is the best singletrack I saw in Moab. Awesome views and super rugged terrain made for mouth-dropping (maybe because I couldn't breathe) technical hiking. The Captain Ahab Trail is about 4 miles long and climbs the plateau before rejoining the Amasa Back. The biking crowd is supposed to roll downhill, but hikers can head up it. Just be cautious of downhill mountain bikers.

Keep climbing over Cliffhanger past the Jacob's (Jackson's) Ladder Overlook and out to the End of the Road trail. Two quick optional out and backs will add a little mileage before getting serious and heading out to the Pothole Arch Trail. Pothole Arch Trail makes you wonder how a giant batch of cookie dough turned into stone and became an incredible slick rock adventure. A mile out and back brings you to Rockstacker Trail and the downhill begins.

Rockstacker travels across some seriously rugged terrain. Be ready for tough downhill scrambles and potential ankle busters. Pay attention and enjoy the views and you descend. The trail ties directly into Jackson's Trail and downhill to the Kane Springs Trailhead. Blaze a half mile back up the road to your car and stroke your ego after one awesome loop.