Before I set out for my first cross-country drive, I spent a few hours googling "best mountain biking trails USA" and scribing notes into my iPhone 4. I never made the detour on that drive, but ten years later, those notes reemerged, and Chloe Jimenez and I set out to reevaluate the Moab portion of that bucket list.

The Whole Enchilada - 30+ miles

Odds are, when you think desert mountain biking, the Whole Enchilada is what first comes to mind. This mountain biking bucket list trail truly gives the rider “the whole enchilada” mountain biking experience, descending over almost 7,000 feet. Contact one of Moab's local bike shops for a shuttle to the top -- as long as the trail is dry. You'll be dropped off at the foot of the La Sal mountains, where you'll climb over an alpine pass and descend through loamy aspen forest. As the trail descends, fully grown trees give way to sagebrush, and tacky dirt fades to sandstone. Riding along Porcupine Rim, you’ll find insane views spanning from the 12,700-foot La Sal peaks to the Colorado River at 4,000 feet, with desert towers and mesas in between. There is no shortage of perfect lunch spots. The trail grows more technical as you descend Porcupine Rim. Expect to walk in a few places and let faster riders pass on the typically busy trail. Plan for a full day out. Even the fastest riders will want to pack a lunch.

Mag 7 (Portal Finish) - 20 miles

A bucket list ride, Mag 7 combines seven magnificent trails in the Gemini Bridges network from the Island in the Sky mesa, then ends with a double black diamond descent on the legendary Portal Trail to the Colorado River. You can shuttle this one on your own or hire a local service. Increasingly difficult singletrack takes you steadily downhill through slickrock, built rock features, sand, and packed dirt until you meet the Gold Bar Jeep trail and a brutal climb to the rim. A massive view of the La Sals, Arches NP, and Moab awaits you at the top—it's also the perfect lunch spot. Don’t mistake this as the end of the climb, though. Gold Bar Rim undulates along the exposed rim for four miles and is full of punchy, technical climbs and mandatory drops. This is often the most exhausting part of the ride; save some water.

As you round the corner into the Portal, the trail narrows to a few feet on a cliffside, with a thousand-foot drop to your left. There is no margin for error—walk your bike through this section. Take some pictures on a corner ledge overhanging the Colorado River, and then it’s game on with a thousand-foot descent in a mile. Technical rock gardens twist and turn through the steep terrain. You'll descend so fast that the road at the bottom might catch you by surprise. It's the perfect place to celebrate with a packed cooler! Mag 7 with a Portal finish is another full day ride.

Captain Ahab - 8 miles

The Moab mountain biker’s “quick hit,” Captain Ahab offers the best of Moab’s technical riding and exceptional trailbuilding. You'll climb up HyMasa, a typical Moab singletrack climb that weaves back and forth across the Amasa Back jeep road. Views toward the La Sals, Colorado River and desert fins open as you climb. The downhill winds over rock features and navigates impressively through slickrock cliffs. Expect drops and steep, punchy climbs. Most riders will need to walk some sections. If the air is still, look out for base jumpers on the classic Tombstone Rock directly across from the Amasa Back parking lot when you get back. This loop takes a couple of hours to half a day to ride, depending on your technical skill level.