Ride seven days and stay in six huts from just north of Durango, Colorado, through the high alpine to the red desert slickrock of Moab, Utah.
This standard route totals 205 miles and averages 30 miles per day. Alternative epic singletrack route options on several days increase the stoke factor drawing repeat clients season after season. This ride is truly a remote and a wild tour of the southwest.
Purgatory to Bolam Pass Hut
Climb up, up, up through some of Colorado’s most stunning alpine scenery. You can either ride up the jeep road or spend almost the entire day on high alpine Colorado Trail singletrack. Reach a high point at Rolling Pass and enjoy some well earned downhill singletrack
Bolam Pass Hut to Black Mesa Hut
Start the day off with lots of downhill either on a jeep road or fun singletrack with awesome views of Lizard Head. The second half of the day is a steady climb with rewarding mountain vistas. Don’t miss the raspberries! There are several singletrack options for those looking for an additional challenge.
Black Mesa Hut to Dry Creek Hut
On this day you will ride out of the alpine and into the high desert. It is somewhat of a rest day, mainly on jeep and dirt roads, with an optional seven miles of singletrack that includes our favorite Goat Creek Trail. It’s also possible to take a swim in Miramonte Reservoir!
Dry Creek Hut to Wedding Bell Hut
Miles can roll by quickly on the high desert plateau. Sage brush, pinon pine, juniper, coyotes, and antelope abound here. Several singletrack options can be joined together, for an entirely separate route from the standard route (on dirt roads), or you can ride just one section of singletrack and ride the standard route the rest of the day.
Wedding Bell Hut to Paradox Hut
Descend into the Paradox Valley through some classic southwestern terrain with sandstone cliffs, big open spaces, and generally hot, dry air. You will likely feel like you are beyond the edge of civilization this day….because you are! The final descent drops down a rough, steep, historic trail–not for the faint of heart! The Paradox Hut lies on the outskirts of a tiny ranching community, at the base of sandstone cliffs.
Paradox Hut to Geyser Pass
A big climb out of the desert and back up into the cooler alpine terrain of the La Sal Mountains. At the end of the day, you will ride through one of the largest operating ranches in the state.
Geyser Pass Hut to Moab, UT
On this grand finale, you’ll ride all the way down into the desert slickrock of Moab! You can either take the fast track, whizzing down dirt roads through awesome terrain, or ride one of the many excellent singletrack routes. One popular option is to ride the world-renowned ‘Whole Enchilada’ for those really wanting to top off their singletrack riding for the trip.
Short on time? Trim off the final two days of riding for a total of five days and four huts.
June 15 – September 27
Early in the season, alpine sections of this route may keep snow well into June.
Experienced hut-trippers say this route is 25% more difficult than our Telluride to Moab route.
Our mountain huts hold eight people per night. The wooden huts are equipped with padded bunks, sleeping bags, a propane cook stove, propane light, wood stove, and necessary utensils, cookware, food and drinking water. Food supplies are replenished regularly, and each hut is equipped with a composting toilet facility.
6 Night / 7 Day
$1,385.00 per person
Group Discount: 8/7 – Eight riders for the price of seven – $9,695 total or $1,212 per person
4 Night / 5 Day
$1,185.00 per person
Same 4 huts of the main route but ends in Paradox. Learn more.
Group Discount: 8/7 – Eight riders for the price of seven – $8,295 total or $1,037 per person
A bike, clothes, bike & first aid kits, anything else for a long day ride. Our huts have everything else. See the Biker’s Bible for a more detailed list.
Call us at (970) 626-3033 or send us an email.
“We just finished the Durango to Moab route of the San Juan Hut Systems mountain bike trip, and what a spectacular trip this was. We all had a delightfully great time, and would do it again in a heartbeat…..after the sore butt subsides….of course.”
~ David Eiland, Steamboat Springs, CO
Our staff is available for in-depth trip planning and can offer individualized insight after getting to know you and your group.
Located on private property and within National Forests and BLM administered lands, our huts are used exclusively for our clients and are stocked with everything you’ll need for rest, hydration, cooking, and emergency bike repair. Equipped with 8 padded bunks, sleeping bags, propane cook stove & lighting, wood stove at high elevation huts, composting toilet, repair tools, cookware.
We supply all the food, drinking water, and beverages. Coolers at every hut keep fresh food fresh and beverages ready for you. Cabinets are loaded with snacks and meal ingredients for you to create your all-important refueling feasts. See our Hut Cuisine.
Our detailed maps, turn-by-turn directions, and GPS tracks help you stay on route. Alternative routes, including singletrack options, are all included to let you choose your own adventure while on the route.
You will need a mountain bike in good working order, a small backpack or bike bag, and personal clothing. The Bikers’ Bible is the best resource for clothing, bike repair & equipment, and tool/gear lists. A hardtail is a good option if you plan to only ride the standard route made up of dirt and jeep roads. If you want to ride the singletrack, most riders prefer ‘cross country’ or ‘trail’ full suspension bike.
We recommend you bring your own bike. If you choose to rent a bike, we list some bike rental shops on our Travel Resources page that are familiar with our routes. If you decide to rent a bike, consider whether you’ll need to ship or shuttle the bike back to the rental shop. Moab has limited shipping options on the weekend. Some bike shops are willing to ship your bike for you if it is packaged, labeled, and billing arrangements have been made.
Our cozy huts are equipped with bunk beds and pads, sleeping bags, propane-powered lights and cook stoves, cookware, food and water. There is no plumbing or bathing facilities, though streams and ponds are found along the route for washing. Composting toilets are located adjacent to each hut. The food supply is regularly replenished so you’ll never need to worry about running out of food. Drinking water is stored in 5-gallon containers.
There is no guaranteed cellular service along the routes and service varies by device and service provider. Gateway Hut on the Telluride to Moab Route is located near the Gateway Canyon Resort and telephone service is available there. On the Durango to Moab Route at the Paradox Hut, located near the Paradox Bed & Breakfast, you may find telephone service at the Paradox Mercantile or the Paradox B&B. The huts do not have electricity so no charging of cell phones, laptops, or GPS units. Two-way satellite devices from companies like Spot and Delorme are a good emergency communication option.
No vehicular assistance is provided or allowed along either of our routes due to the nature of our USFS/BLM/Private Ranch Special Use Permits. San Juan Hut Systems is not responsible for difficulties due to weather or natural conditions, equipment failures or medical emergencies and any associated rescues. This being said, San Juan Hut Systems will do our best to help with any emergency situation and non-emergency situations.