La Sal Loop Road

Motorcycle Route Author

By GJRonK (2629 McR Points) on Sep 26, 2015

Rider Reviews

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GJRonK

2629 McR Points

July 27, 2018

UPDATE: In 2017 the entire north 2/3 of the…

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GJRonK

2629 McR Points

February 13, 2020

Not sure of the 2 stars for "ride enjoyment."…

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Written Directions

To get to the start of this route, go north from Moab, Utah, turn right (east) on Hwy. 128, go to mile 15.5, turn south on the Castle Valley road. The described route and photos start here. Proceed 11 miles to the La Sal Loop Road, turn right (south) and follow along until descending back down into the Spanish Valley. When you get to the first stop sign, turn left to Hwy.191. A right turn takes you back to Moab. Updated contributed in Jun of 2021 by McR user rtcorker: Just east off Highway 191 in Spanish Valley, UT, just south of Moab, UT take the La Sal Loop road easterly. This will cross/combined with a few NF roads, but stay on La Sal Loop road. it will climb grade into the evergreen covered peaks of the La Sal Mntn's on the east side it will connect with Castle Valley road, exiting on Co Highway 128 (along the Colorado River) about 15 miles east of the junction of 128 and 191 in Moab, or about 30 miles east of the Ghost town of Cisco, UT at the northern end of highway 128 near the junction with I-40. A fantastic ride, climbing and descending grade, paved the whole way, with some section affected by winter frost heaves, but for the most part good pavement. In early June some minor snow or even ice could be expected even it it is hot down in Moab. Not much traffic along the route especially weekdays. Some camping is available along this route, check with NF and BLM. Some paved pulloffs are available for taking pictures of the great views.

Scenery

Spectacular views, challenging turns, lots of variety. You'll leave the steep, red rock canyon walls along the Colorado River, then travel along an irrigated valley with small, scattered ranches and homes. They are surrounded by tall cliffs of jagged rocks and spires that give the impression of castles soaring above. You will have a straight-on view of the La Sal Mountains which rise up to 12,721' on Mt. Peale. The mountains are pointed igneous rock, which comes from molten rock, as opposed to the flat topped rocks all along your route through Castle Valley which is sedimentary rock created by layers of eroded rock and then compressed. Updated contributed in Jun of 2021 by McR user rtcorker: Your route will take you from Moab up 4,274' to an elevation of 8,300'. As you are about to leave Castle Valley, a careful look off the north will show a few building remnants of old Castleton, an abandoned town. You will climb up from semi-arid landscape of dry brush along with pinyon and juniper trees. Gamble oak is next, then some aspen and conifer trees at the higher elevations. Looking back gives views to the north over Castle Valley, the Colorado River area and Arches National Park. There are only a few pull offs. The road has many curves along here, so the going is slow, but challenging and fun. You can see the La Sals to your left and the distant Henry Mountains far to the right. Nearer to the right is the Moab Valley. There are several turn offs to campsites and Warner Lake, but those are dirt roads. You will eventually come back down into the valley and the pastures south of Moab. Updated contributed in Jun of 2021 by McR user rtcorker: This will cross/combined with a few NF roads, but stay on La Sal Loop road. it will climb grade into the evergreen covered peaks of the La Sal Mntn's on the east side it will connect with Castle Valley road, exiting on Co Highway 128 (along the Colorado River) about 15 miles east of the junction of 128 and 191 in Moab, or about 30 miles east of the Ghost town of Cisco, UT at the northern end of highway 128 near the junction with I-40. A fantastic ride, climbing and descending grade, paved the whole way, with some section affected by winter frost heaves, but for the most part good pavement. In early June some minor snow or even ice could be expected even it it is hot down in Moab. Not much traffic along the route especially weekdays. Some camping is available along this route, check with NF and BLM. Some paved pulloffs are available for taking pictures of the great views.

Drive Enjoyment

The road is entirely two lane. Along Castle Valley, the pavement is good shape with few curves, although a lot of tar snakes. There are no shoulders. The 20 mile stretch on the mountain slope is narrow and full of potholes and many sharp 15-20 mph turns. Back closer to Moab, the road is again fairly straight and decent shape. Definitely not a beginning rider route! Updated contributed in Jun of 2021 by McR user rtcorker: A fantastic ride, climbing and descending grade, paved the whole way, with some section affected by winter frost heaves, but for the most part good pavement. In early June some minor snow or even ice could be expected even it it is hot down in Moab. Not much traffic along the route especially weekdays. Some camping is available along this route, check with NF and BLM. Some paved pulloffs are available for taking pictures of the great views.

Tourism Opportunities

There is one pit toilet by the Mill Creek crossing, but nothing else. Moab does have full services. Updated contributed in Jun of 2021 by McR user rtcorker: Good selection of lodging in the Moab area, accessible from either end of the route. Also some camping available along the route. Two national parks close by, Arches, Canyonlands. Also Dead Horse State Park is close by, a don't miss. The ride along highway 128 along the Colorado River Canyon is also a don't miss. Also along 128 near Cisco is the Dewey Bridge to see (burned by a child) and Cisco is famous as a ghost town and site of a couple famous movies (Vanishing Point).

Motorcycle Road Additional info

This route is very colorful in the fall when the oak and aspen leaves change. It's possible to see deer or bear, but who knows there. There are a fair number of tourist vehicles at times, but not a problem. Updated contributed in Jun of 2021 by McR user rtcorker: Incorporate this with a round trip loop ride from Grand Junction down to Naturita, CO, over La Sal Mntn pass to La Sal, UT, up to this by-pass and then continue up 128 back to I-40 east back to Grand Junction. Avoids the crowds and high cost of Moab, but can be done easily in one day (about 6 to 7 hours).