Golden Spike

4.8/5 (6 reviews)
Moab, Utah (Grand County)
Last Updated: 04/09/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Desert
Iconic
Rock
Scenic
Easly one of the most famous off-road trails in the United States, if not the world. Golden Spike, home of the famous Golden Crack obstacle, is at the top of people's favorite trails in Moab, Utah. Full of amazing scenery, challenging obstacles, and even better stories, this trail is the perfect receipt to make any 4x4 trip legendary. You can easily say that this trail is one of those trails that offers it all. The trail has slickrock, fins, sand, narrow scenic canyons, waterfalls, ledges, long steep hills, amazing overlooks & viewpoints, wild obstacles, and sometimes standing water. If you are lucky, you might even see Golden Eagles soaring high above or catch a glimpse of a natural arch. So whether this is your first time in Moab or you are a seasoned vet, if you haven't done Golden Spike yet, this trail needs to be put at the top of your list to see why most people call this the best trail in Moab.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Golden Spike comprises a combination of trail surfaces from dirt to sand to slick rock; this trail will provide you with a wide variety to keep things interesting. The trail does have moments of reprieve on the sections south of Golden Crack, as where from Golden Crack to the Gold Bar Rim Trailhead is one obstacle after another. There are seven named obstacles along the route: Launch Pad, Skyline Drive, Zuki Hill, Golden Crack, Golden Stairs, Double-Whammy, and Body Snatcher. Best suited for lightly to heavily modified vehicles. Golden Spike also connects to Where Eagles Dare and Rusty Nail. Getting there: According to how you think about time on the trail, the good or the bad news is that the trail is out in the middle of other trails, meaning there is no fast way to either trailhead. You can come in from Poison Spider or, on the other side Gemini Bridges. Either way, you will spend an hour or two getting to the trail and need that hour or two to get off the trail.

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (6)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/28/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

One of my favorites. From the spectacular scenery to the difficult/fun obstacles this trail is what wheeling is all about. Launching pad is just pure fun, don’t by-pass this one. Sky-line drive is gorgeous , but can get crowded fast (great group pic opportunity). The overlook at 16 is a great place to have lunch. It’s also a great place to park any less capable vehicles, if your goal is to get to the crack and return via Poison Spider. , the trail difficulty increases greatly after this point. The trifecta is a very long day and you will most likely finish in the dark, but going to the Golden and crack and then turn around and return via poison spider is a little less painful. The shelf at 21 is no joke, this can’t be by-passed so be ready. Take your time and pick a good line. There are a bunch of loose good size rocks at the bottom of both major lines that can be positioned to help you if that is your thing. Long based vehicles will handle these shelves much easier. The Golden Crack: Looks easier then it really is, but dang it was so fun. We went back and forth several times. Watch video and crawl it slow. My JLU with 37’s didn’t scrape at all, the Taco i was with did though (35’s). A camera positioned from the side inside the crack makes a spectacular video. Straight ahead and your committed to Gold Bar Rim. The rest of GS is more difficult and more frequent obstacles, but if you did the shelf you will have little difficulty. This is a must do if you come to Moab.
Official Crew
120550
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/09/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Easily in the top 3 trails in moab, this has it all. It has what might be the best scenery, it has obstacles that are hard, and because of how remote it is, is has only a little traffic. I love this trail.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 03/12/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Came onto the trail from Gold Bar Rim. This trail is a blast!!!!! Excellent scenery and views, especially from the overlooks at several points. Ran this trail on a 2 1/2 lift and 33's..and we put some marks on the skid plates and used the winch once, the rock rails got a work out as I fully expected them to. The Golden Crack is awesome, but pay close attention to your line and have a spotter and should be fine. Did some damage to a fender and the rear licenses plate bracket getting up the obstacles at waypoint 22. This is also where we had to use the winch. The other rig with us was a Gladiator on a 5 inch lift an 35's and handled the obstacle with no problems. We have been wanting to do Golden Spike since our first visit to Moab 3 years ago. Its everything you expect it to be and much more. Plan on a full day regardless if you come in from Poison Spider or Gold Bar Rim.
Official Crew
111450
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/15/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I really enjoyed this one. Non stop obstacles on the north end!
Official Crew
120550
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/03/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Way cool trail. Easily in the top 5 trails in Moab. A must-do.

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