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2.2 miles
Distance
426 ft
Climb
-470 ft
Descent
00:46:25
Avg time
-45 ft
Altitude change
4,653 ft
Altitude min
4,912 ft
Altitude max
4,698 ft
Altitude start
4,652 ft
Altitude end
-0.4%
Grade
-32.1%
Grade max
48.2%
Grade min
4,688 ft
Distance climb
1 mile
Distance down
1,411 ft
Distance flat
00:46:25
Avg time
Captain Ahab (upper) Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaAmasa Back
Moab, Utah -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlack Diamond (8 votes)
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Local Popularity100 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 100 in E-Biking
- 90 in Trail Running
- 80 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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State Ranking
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Hiking SAC ScaleT2 Mountain Hiking
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Trail ExposureHigh Risk
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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DirectionBoth Directions[+]Popular Direction Shown
- Both Directions for E-Biking
- Both Directions for Trail Running
- Both Directions for Hiking
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Climb DifficultyBlack Diamond
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Physical RatingHard
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike AllowedYes up to Class 1
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TTFs on TrailBerm, Drop, Rock Face, Rock Garden
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LightingNo
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Land OwnerBLM
low angle but punchy technical climbing leads to a low angle but well featured decent. With skill its possible to carry quite a bit of speed all the way to the bottom. A must ride loop.
Trail Supporters
Moab Trail MixMaintainer
BLMLand Manager
Local Trail Association
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-
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 29 rides
- 10 miles average
6 Months
- 209 rides
- 11 miles avg distance
All
- 2,055 rides
- Last: Oct 9, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Captain Ahab (upper) Trail Reports
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3D
Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
Contribute Details
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- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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- popular
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BC Backroad Status
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Directions to captain-ahab-upper trailhead
(38.518090, -109.619340)
Photos
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Trail Lists
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Routes with this trail
★ 4.0 • 9 miles • 1,569 ft • 6 • Loop •
If you've ridden the classic "life or death" Portal trail in Moab, it's a bit hard to see why Captain Ahab...
★ 4.5 • 14 miles • 2,285 ft • 9 •
Trying to link up Ahab and Jacksons. How hard could it be?
Moab Double Down Featured
★ 3.0 • 14 miles • 2,239 ft • 9 • Loop •
This is a double loop that serves up 2 of the best expert downhill trails in Moab. The first leg of the...
15 Reviews & Comments
Markinman75
I’ve ridden this trail a number of times as a loop with hymasa and Lower Ahab. I don’t get the trash talk, it’s a great trail and I fully agree over all if you’re going to call lower Ahab a double black, you’d have to rate this one a double as well. It’s a great aerobic trail with lots of tech. If you’re looking for downhill shuttle worthy riding, find another trail.
werdnaflob
Skip this one. Worst trail I’ve ridden in Moab
bizango-x
There’s a lot going on with this. I liked it, but much of what has been said in previous comments is accurate. Techy bits up and down. Some steep sections (short). I don’t think is technically harder than Lower Ahab, but aerobically it is. I felt that Lower was more fun.
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Nearby Trails
- Amasa River Overlook 404 ft
- Captain Ahab (lower) 3,159 ft
- Cliff Portage 4,570 ft
- Cliff Hanger 1 mile
- Poison Spider 1 mile
- By MoabTrailMix
MTM & contributors - #95867 - 20,528 views
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