The Las Sal Loop
Departure Time:
Sunrise
Car Checklist:
Good tires, a tire patch kit, good brakes, and fresh fluid
Dan’s Notes:
Check with the locals before going up the mountains! Conditions in Moab are very deceptive, and a bright, sunny day below doesn’t mean there is no snow above! Check out brochure on this popular loop here and check for the most recent updates here.
Moab is the undisputed off-roading capitol of the world, but it’s got some amazing lesser known pavement too. The La Sal loop is an incredibly scenic drive out of Moab and up into the La Sal mountains, just to the east of town. The drive can easily be done in just a few hours, but I’d give it 3 for photos.
Start your drive with a good cup of coffee and a cronut from Moab Garage Co and then head north toward Highway 128, which in itself could be it’s own Dan’s Drive if it wasn’t so busy during the peak driving seasons. After a short drive you’ll take a right onto La Sal Loop Road, which is just past the Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo ranch; a cool stop to see the new Bronco and you can talk to the crew there about it if you’re interested.
The road is mainly straight, and it’s easy to miss my suggested turn-off onto the Dolores Triangle Safari Route. This road turns into a pretty good off-road route if you’ve got an SUV or Truck, but you can turn around where the pavement ends, which just happens to be a great viewpoint and a fun drive up, so I recommend the short detour if you don’t mind the fact it’s not the smoothest pavement.
As you come back down, you’ll head up a very tight and twisty mountain pass into the La Sal mountains, and I highly recommend you turn on your GoPro at the intersection of the Dolores Triangle and La Sal loop. Watch for bicycles on this road! It’s very tight and this is a popular loop for people on motorcycles and bicycles.
Your next photo-op is the La Sal Lookout, which I marked on the map. This is great for a group shot and has a wide view of the canyons and the mixed mountain terrain.
As you come down, be VERY AWARE of the drop to the 30mph speed zone. They take this limit seriously and it’s a popular spot for speed traps and always has been.
Watch for: Bicyclists, animals, hikers, off-road vehicles crossing the road between trails
Route Hard Link: https://goo.gl/maps/A7vB5KDdwMaxcXG99
