Should You Ride Moab’s Iconic Captain Ahab Trail?

Captain Ahab is a bucket-list ride for many mountain bikers who visit the red slickrock mecca of Moab. It’s personally one of my favorite trails for its brilliant routing, a multitude of alt-lines, incredible views, and puzzle-piece features that may take a few attempts to nail (or walking is always an option).

But Captain Ahab is definitely not for everyone. It’s technical, there is exposure, you’ll be climbing more than you probably expect, and there’s really no bail option if you want out. I don’t want to discourage you from riding it, but be sure to read through this post to make sure it’s a good fit and you aren’t in for the worst day of your life. If you do ultimately decide that you are up for the challenge, this trail is one of the best in the West!

Here’s everything you need to know about mountain biking Moab’s iconic Captain Ahab trail.

5 Quick Things to Know about Captain Ahab

Captain Ahab is full of surprises. Some are fun, like little drops and alt-lines. Others will have you cursing, like the plentitude of short, punchy ups when you’re in your hardest gear.

Below are a few things to expect on your ride:

1. Expect Trail Traffic

Captain Ahab is one of the most popular trails in Moab, so if you’re riding in the peak fall season around October, expect to share the trail with a lot of other riders. Personally, I think it’s kinda fun to ride with a crowd because the energy is high and you can cheer each other on!

You will probably also see Jeeps and OHVs on the doubletrack portion of the HyMasa climb. Drivers are usually pretty good about giving riders space and the right of way, but don’t assume they will stop for you.

2. There are Rocks. Lots of them

Captain Ahab is full of rocks. There are smooth stretches of red slickrock, a variety of rock drops, chundery rock gardens, built-up rock ‘waterfalls’, rock rolls, you get the point.

There’s very little dirt riding on Captain Ahab, it’s mostly the hard stuff.

3. Look for Multiple Alt-lines

Just like The Whole Enchilada, Captain Ahab has a ton of different alt-lines and line choices that make the riding engaging and different every time you ride it. The blue dots painted on the trail will guide you through the most approachable lines, but if you keep your eyes open you’ll see plenty of other routes, some of them manageable, others best left to the pros.

If you have multiple days in Moab, Captain Ahab is a great trail to ride twice (or more!) so you can scope out the ‘bonus’ features on the first run down.

4. The last 1/2 mile is the most technical

Again, just like The Whole Enchilada, it’s the end of that ride that is the hardest. The last 1/2 mile or so (maybe a bit more) throws the most at you. It’s almost non-stop rock gardens with tight squeezes, narrow chutes, tricky turns, and a cliff you don’t want to fall off of. Make sure you leave something in the gas tank so you’re not tackling this stretch feeling all wobbly and spent.

5. The climbing is almost as hard as the descending

You’ve probably heard people talk about the technical descending on Captain Ahab, but that’s just half of what’s thrown at you on this ride. The climbing is a beast in and of itself. In fact, I think the first mile or so on HyMasa has some of the hardest features of the whole loop!

But once you get to the start of Ahab, it’s all downhill. Just kidding! The first half mile or so of Ahab is Moab punchiness at its finest. Trying to stay in the right gear is a feat that I have not mastered yet…

So How Hard is Captain Ahab, really?

In other words, should you ride it?

Captain Ahab trail is not suited for beginner or even intermediate riders. It requires very good bike handling skills, a dose of confidence, and decent endurance (there are a lot of punchy moves!).

I would say that Captain Ahab is a black-rated trail with a few doubleblack features. There can also be some high consequences if you crash. I’m sure the local hospital has seen many riders straight from Ahab.

I can’t say that there’s one crux feature on Ahab, but rather a string of technical rock gardens and a half-mile stretch at the end that I personally think is the hardest due to the exposure, tight squeezes, and punchy climbs that require quick reactions and the right gearing.

If you’ve ridden Porcupine Rim, Captain Ahab is pretty on par with the techy features on lower Porcupine Rim as you near the river.

How to ride Captain Ahab trail

Alright, so if you’re still reading this, you’re in! Captain Ahab is a blast if you know what you’re in for. Here’s what you need to know to hit the trail.

Getting to the trailhead & where to park

Captain Ahab is located in the Amasa Back trail network south of Moab. To get there, take Kane Creek Boulevard near Chile Pepper Bike Shop and follow the road along the Colorado River for about 5.5 miles. You’ll see the Amasa Back Parking area on the right.

There is a bathroom and a large parking area with access to the Amasa Back Access Trail, which leads to the HyMasa Climbing Trail. There is no cell service in the parking area, but you should get service higher up.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to a base-jumping show on the cliffs behind you as you get ready to ride!

Route recommendations

There are two popular ways to ride Captain Ahab: the full loop and the half loop option.

1. Hymasa/Captain Ahab Full Loop

This is the full 8-mile Captain Ahab Loop. Don’t let the 8-miles fool you. There is a lot of climbing and you’ll be worked by the end! Most of the climbing is done on HyMasa which is a mix of doubletrack and singletrack. The climb is ‘blue’ on TrailForks, but personally, I think the first mile or so has some of the hardest features on the whole trail!

2. Half Ahab Loop

If you don’t have the time, energy, or endurance to do the full Captain Ahab Loop, it’s possible to just do the lower half (which is arguably the ‘fun’ half). You’ll see a sign for Captain Ahab Midpoint near the end of the HyMasa climb, so if you want to skip the final slickrock ascent and the pedally upper Captain Ahab trail, then hang a left and you’ll be at the start of Lower Captain Ahab.

This loop is not any easier! It’s just shorter with less climbing.

Prefer video? Check out BKXC Make his way down Captain Ahab

Trail breakdown

Hymasa Trail

Starting at the Amasa Back parking area, take the Amasa Back Access Trail to the Cliffhanger Jeep Road. This section can be super sandy, FYI. There’s a short stint on the rocky doubletrack and then you’ll see the entrance to HyMasa on the right.

HyMasa is a mix of doubletrack and singletrack with lots of punchy climbs and rolling traverses all the way up to the start of Captain Ahab.

Tip: Take it slow on the climb and let your legs spin when you can! It’s not worth burning yourself out on the up. Captain Ahab still has plenty of punchy climbs and tricky features that you’ll need your endurance and energy for.

Upper Captain Ahab

You’ll pass the halfway sign for Captain Ahab (see shorter route below) and once you get there, it’s a bit more climbing to the top, but you’ll be glad to know that the worst is over. HyMasa turns into Upper Captain Ahab and the last uphill push is mostly on grippy slickrock. Put it in granny gear and let it spin.

Now it’s time to descend, right? Wrong. After dropping in, you’ll quickly find that Upper Captain Ahab actually still has quite a bit of climbing, and to be honest, it’s pretty frustrating.

A lot of the pitches are super punchy and steep and come up fast. If you have trials skills, you’ll do well. There are some really cool rock features, though, that give you a taste of what’s to come on Lower Ahab.

Lower Captain Ahab

Lower Captain Ahab is where things start to get flowy and rowdy(er). There are tons of alt-lines, but if you just follow the painted lines on the slickrock, most of it is manageable for experienced riders.

There are drops, punchy ups, tight squeezes, and never a dull moment. Scout lines before you hit them and take your time because it’s worth every minute!

The last quarter mile of Captain Ahab is the most technical with steep exposure on the right and lots of rocky features that roll well but can be intimidating on the first go.

Lower Ahab spits you out at the junction of the HyMasa climb and from there, it’s an easy roll back to the parking area on Amasa Back Access.

Non-Captain Ahab Ride Option

If you want to ride the Amasa Back trails, but aren’t up for Captain Ahab, many riders simply do HyMasa as an out-and-back. I’ve never ridden down HyMasa, but it seems like it would be a fun descent and I’ve definitely encountered people coming down as I was pedaling up.

This could be a great option if you have different levels of riders in your family or group and some want to do Ahab and others don’t. Simply pedal up HyMasa together (and even to the peak of Upper Captain Ahab), and then take your respective trails back down – HyMasa or Ahab. Everyone will end at the parking area.

FAQs & Facts

Final thoughts

I hope this post helps inspire your first ride down Captain Ahab in Moab. It’s one of my favorite technical trails and one I get excited about riding again and again. That being said, it’s important to note that this trail is not for everyone. It’s challenging, technical, and has quite a bit of climbing. If that sounds like a good day out on the trails to you, you’ll have a blast!

Be safe and keep the rubber side down.

Have you ridden Captain Ahab? What did you think? Does it live up to the hype? What questions do you still have? Leave a comment below!