Reviewed by: Chris , from Edmonds, WA

Summary:
This is a very scenic trail with a medium amount of technical challenges. There are fantastic views in every direction. Look for opportunities to site see and forget all the talk about cairns. Idiots have built cairns all over the place. Follow the trail markers, signs and watch for tire marks.

Recommended Route:
Pick up a Falcon Guide or Moab West map and follow the directions. The ride description from each source is more vague than it needs to be. Follow the directions to Gold Bar Rim. When you get to the first overlook of the highway into town (HWY 191) you will need to back track a hundred yards and follow the markings for the Golden Spike Trail. The Portal trail is very clearly marked with a sign and it is very obvious based on the tire tracks heading up a slickrock hillside. As the guidebook says, it's in a sandy wash. A Big sandy wash. Begin to look for it after a decent and approaching the base of Poison Spider Mesa.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
All of them

Reviewed by: Randall , from Roseville, CA

Summary:
Pick up a Cheap is Real map for $1 in local bike shop. First third of ride is wide road and sand then you enter slickrock. Great views when you get up on the rim. Didn't do Portal since BLM discourages it and I've heard that it is mostly hike a bike.

Recommended Route:
Start at Gemini Bridges trailhead and head toward Colorado River via the rim. About midway into the ride after a short sandy section you will come to a fairly steep uphill ignore the spur on the right and climb the cairns on your left until you see the trail. Gold Bar (three white bars on rocks) will eventually become Gold Spike (white railroad spike) and will take you to the start of the Portal trail or take Poison Spider down to the river.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Amasa Back, P-pine, and Slickrock

Reviewed by: pm , from ct

Summary:
This route is quite the adventure. Great rock riding
some sandy sections, even some great wildlife viewing if that kind of thing turns you on.. Ending with the portal downhill makes the end of the day stellar!

Recommended Route:
Take gemini bridges trail, to goldbar to portal (one way ride if you have an extra car)
see www.bikerag.com for topo map and pictures!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
porcupine rim

Reviewed by: Rick , from CO

Summary:
Rode it on a cool, overcast, windy day. I think my brain would have fried on a hot sunny day. Classic Moab ride with all the goods. Dirt road, awesome ledge rock, some sand (especially Poison Spider) and views, views, views. Technically challenging but if u are physicall fit, you can walk whatever you don't care to ride. Route finding up to Gold Bar Rim and to Poison Spider Mesa (where Portal Trail drops down) is now very well marked (Golden Spike Trail..look for the white spikes). I only got off track once. When the Golden Spike Tr. intersects with the Portal trail, take the Portal trail up to the mesa and then loop back around on Poison Spider Trail. 4 hours *minimum* this described shuttle route.

Recommended Route:
I shuttled it to Potash Rd/Poison Spider T-head. Began at lower. Gemini Bridge T-head. 23 miles.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
7 Mile Canyon. Route finding a bit tricky.

Reviewed by: Jorge , from Newport Beach, CA, USA

Summary:
This is a Gonzo trail for refining your technical MOVES. From one ledge to another, or a multiple stairstep to a steep, you are either going to really improve, or your going to make a trip to the emergency room. Awesome ride, we had Bill at Rim Tours as our guide, he was able to take us on some "secret" side trails which were killer. The portal trail is for superman. Next time we'll go down the Spider.

Recommended Route:
Shuttle to Gemini Bridge Trailhead

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Amasa Back