Utah Trails

Poison Spider Mesa

4.9/5 (24 reviews)

Moab, Utah (Grand County)

Last Updated: 04/13/2022

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Trail Information

Highlights

Moab is one of the premier off-road and four-wheel drive destinations. Comprised of some of the most well-known trails in all United States, it has trail types that suit all drivers wheeling desires. Some would call it an "off-roader's paradise." Amongst these trails, Poison Spider is one of the more popular "hard" trails in the entire area. Not only do you get amazing wheeling, but you can also take in the inspiring Little Arch with a view of the Colorado River behind it. The very bold will continue to Golden Spike, Where Eagles Dare, and finish up on Gold Bar Rim to be known as the few that have finished what is known as "The Trifecta."

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Josh Noesser

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

The trail is comprised of slick rock, sand, and dirt with plenty of waterfalls and hill climbs. Even though most obstacles have a bypass, there are still several obstacles that you have to run. Expect 6 ft+ waterfalls, steeper than 50-degree inclines, and plenty of drops that you drag off. It is recommended that you have a lift and lockers before trying this trail. However, it can be run in a stock Jeep with very careful line placement. Note: The .gpx track available here is of the hardest lines possible on the trail. Stop at each obstacle and pick your route. When in doubt, follow the white tracks painted on the road surface.

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 1: Trailhead

There is plenty of parking area to air down before taking on the trail. Travel straight up the trail. This follows a shelf road with easy switchbacks. There are also dinosaur tracks to the east of the bathrooms. There is a sign with more information.

2. Switchback Ledge (0.7 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 2: Switchback Ledge

Continue uphill at the first obstacle. There are multiple lines to choose from here. Looking back, you can see the elevation you have climbed and the river below.

3. Obstacle with Bypass (0.9 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 3: Obstacle with Bypass

Continue straight to take on the obstacle, or take the route to the left/southeast to bypass.

4. 3-5 Foot Ledge with Bypass (1.1 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 4: 3-5 Foot Ledge with Bypass

This is a double-step obstacle with a bypass on the right/north.

5. Smooth Dirt Section (1.5 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 5: Smooth Dirt Section

Continue straight on the main trail.

6. Spur (1.9 mi)

Continue straight on the main trail.

7. Prelaunch Pad (2 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 7: Prelaunch Pad

This is the first big optional big obstacle. The bypass is on the right/east.

8. Required Waterfalls and S-Turn (2.3 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 8: Required Waterfalls and S-Turn

Continue uphill. This is a series of sections that you must climb. This is also the most difficult part of the trail without a bypass.

9. V-Notch with Bypass (2.7 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 9: V-Notch with Bypass

The bypass goes up and around to the left/northwest.

10. Obstacle with Bypass (2.9 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 10: Obstacle with Bypass

Continue following the trail around. Just before you turn the corner, a ledge can be bypassed to the left/northwest. The next and immediate obstacle has a hard or easy line.

11. Obstacle with Bypass (3 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 11: Obstacle with Bypass

Continue straight to take on the ledges, or follow the trail to the left/west for the bypass.

12. High Speed Mesa (3.3 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 12: High Speed Mesa

The easy part of this trail, High Speed Mesa gives you a change to take it out of 4wd and open it up.

13. Mesa Trailhead (3.4 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 13: Mesa Trailhead

Continue straight on the main trail.

14. Grave Site (Fake) ( mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 14: Grave Site (Fake)

A popular attraction, the fake grave of Mary Jane was rumored to be the reason for the trail getting its name. As the story goes, a little girl got bitten by a poisonous spider costing her her life.

15. End High Speed Mesa (4.7 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 15: End High Speed Mesa

The end of High Speed Mesa is greeted with several very steep drops.

16. Steep Obstacle with Bypass (4.8 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 16: Steep Obstacle with Bypass

The bypass is to the left/west that wraps around these steep obstacles. There is plenty of space here to play on the slickrock obstacles or lunch down below at the Sand Bowl.

17. Sand Bowl (4.8 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 17: Sand Bowl

The trail continues to the north. This is fun play area to kick up the sand.

18. Golden Spike Trailhead (5 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 18: Golden Spike Trailhead

Continue right/northeast.

19. Begin Loop (5.2 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 19: Begin Loop

Run the loop counter-clockwise, stay right/east.

20. Big Hill (5.3 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 20: Big Hill

The trail goes uphill.

21. Obstacle with Bypass (5.4 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 21: Obstacle with Bypass

Continue straight for the steep obstacle, or the bypass is on the left/north.

22. Obstacle with Bypass (5.6 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 22: Obstacle with Bypass

There is a bypass before the hill on the right/south. There are two options for this hill; straight up, or making the turn along the slope for off-camber fun.

23. Little Arch (5.6 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 23: Little Arch

A large parking area on top of this slick rock, Little Arch is off to the Northeast Corner. It's a very short hike to the arch and if you are daring you can walk out on it. (FYI, there is no recovery if you fall from the arch.)

24. Big Hill (5.7 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 24: Big Hill

Follow the marks uphill.

25. Big Hole (5.9 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 25: Big Hole

As you come up the hill, mind the big hole.

26. Barnes Overlook Trailhead (6.3 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 26: Barnes Overlook Trailhead

Continue the main trail straight.

27. Hill with Options (6.6 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 27: Hill with Options

The main trail veers right/northeast here. This slickrock in front of you is optional.

28. To The Overlook (7.2 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 28: To The Overlook

Continue the main trail southeast.

29. Sand Dunes (8.1 mi)

Poison Spider Mesa - Waypoint 29: Sand Dunes

Continue straight down the dunes. Notice the stormy skies and the views you can have from on top of Poison Spider Mesa

30. End (8.8 mi)

Continue on to finish the loop and end back at Waypoint 19. From here, you can return back down Poison Spider or try your luck on Golden Spike.

Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (25 reviews)

Justin Gentile

3400

Status: Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 05/05/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Really fun trail with a little bit of technical rock crawling mixed with a lot of slick rock.

Trail Review: Poison Spider Mesa - Justin Gentile

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This trail guide's difficulty was changed on 04/13/2022

Jake weikert

2400

Status: Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 04/07/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Probably my favorite trail in Moab so far. Lots of technical stuff but nothing super difficult. We did have a newer JL flop over at the v-notch in front of us. There are a couple steep climbs, a lot of waterfall action, and the switchbacks at the start are exciting. The lookout was awesome over Moab and the views into canyonlands were superb. I will run this one again!

Trail Review: Poison Spider Mesa - Jake weikert

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Will Thaler

2000

Status: Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 10/11/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Awesome trail. A Jeep Badge of Honor Trail, if you're into that. I'm a sucker for it so... Most the challenging but are on the first half of the trail. If you only want to do that, minus any traffic, you probably could get in and our pretty quick. I went there on a Monday afternoon. Nobody on the trail til we did everything and started seeing more people on the way down. I definitely recommend doing the loop and checking out the the overlook. There's a arch along the loop too. This trail connects to Gold Bar Rim via Golden Spike. Unfortunately at this time that I'm doing this review, Golden Spike hasn't been mapped out yet. I hoping it does, especially since it's also a Jeep Badge of Honor Trail too.