Segment 6 Description
Segment 6 traverses along the western margin of the Colorado Plateau through Utah’s high plateau country. The climbs and descent are long, the views from up high are absolutely massive, and the geology becomes vibrantly colorful. Elevations range from 5,000 feet in the lowest basins to well over 10,000 feet atop the highest plateaus. For southbound riders departing Soldier Summit, a few miles of highway riding leads to the northern end of Skyline Drive, a 100-mile-long rugged and rough 4x4 road that traverses the length of the Wasatch Plateau. 6,000 feet of climbing leads to the steeply rolling ridge crest and dozens of miles of near-treeline riding. The route plunges 5,500 feet to the town of Salina before climbing more gradually along creeks and through higher sage-covered valleys to the scenic Fish Lake and the Awapa Plateau. A descent leads to the small town of Loa before another 3,000-foot ascent takes riders back into the pines atop the sprawling Aquarius Plateau. Bryce Canyon National Park and its famous amphitheaters and towers comes after another big descent into a high valley. The segment then gradually climbs to the southern end of the Paunsaugunt Plateau before dropping through a private ranch and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The southernmost 40 miles are the fastest of the segment on smooth dirt roads and pavement leading to the touristy town of Kanab. Water and resupply options are less frequent along this segment, so careful planning may be required. Long stretches of this segment are also impassible when wet, necessitating paying close attention to weather forecasts.
Segment length: 337 miles
Total climbing: 24,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 6-8
% Paved (approx.): 15%
% Dirt road (approx.): 45%
% 4x4 road/2-track (approx.): 40%
% Singletrack (approx.): 0%
% Rideable (approx.): 97%
Average physical difficulty* (1-10): 6
Average technical difficulty** (1-10): 5
Bikepacking challenges: Limited resupply options, long sections absolutely impassible when wet, remote, limited water, early summer or early winter snow, summer heat, early summer snow cover at higher elevations
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 124 miles / 2-3 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 40 miles in several places
Alternate route options: The Bears Ears Loops (included on the map below) offer several alternate options in central and southeastern Utah between the main Western Wildlands Route, Bears Ears National Monument, and Moab.
Segment 6 traverses along the western margin of the Colorado Plateau through Utah’s high plateau country. The climbs and descent are long, the views from up high are absolutely massive, and the geology becomes vibrantly colorful. Elevations range from 5,000 feet in the lowest basins to well over 10,000 feet atop the highest plateaus. For southbound riders departing Soldier Summit, a few miles of highway riding leads to the northern end of Skyline Drive, a 100-mile-long rugged and rough 4x4 road that traverses the length of the Wasatch Plateau. 6,000 feet of climbing leads to the steeply rolling ridge crest and dozens of miles of near-treeline riding. The route plunges 5,500 feet to the town of Salina before climbing more gradually along creeks and through higher sage-covered valleys to the scenic Fish Lake and the Awapa Plateau. A descent leads to the small town of Loa before another 3,000-foot ascent takes riders back into the pines atop the sprawling Aquarius Plateau. Bryce Canyon National Park and its famous amphitheaters and towers comes after another big descent into a high valley. The segment then gradually climbs to the southern end of the Paunsaugunt Plateau before dropping through a private ranch and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The southernmost 40 miles are the fastest of the segment on smooth dirt roads and pavement leading to the touristy town of Kanab. Water and resupply options are less frequent along this segment, so careful planning may be required. Long stretches of this segment are also impassible when wet, necessitating paying close attention to weather forecasts.
Segment length: 337 miles
Total climbing: 24,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 6-8
% Paved (approx.): 15%
% Dirt road (approx.): 45%
% 4x4 road/2-track (approx.): 40%
% Singletrack (approx.): 0%
% Rideable (approx.): 97%
Average physical difficulty* (1-10): 6
Average technical difficulty** (1-10): 5
Bikepacking challenges: Limited resupply options, long sections absolutely impassible when wet, remote, limited water, early summer or early winter snow, summer heat, early summer snow cover at higher elevations
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 124 miles / 2-3 days
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 40 miles in several places
Alternate route options: The Bears Ears Loops (included on the map below) offer several alternate options in central and southeastern Utah between the main Western Wildlands Route, Bears Ears National Monument, and Moab.
