Steel Bender

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4.2/5 (17 reviews)
Moab, Utah (Grand County)
Last Updated: 05/02/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Desert Category Icon Desert
Rock Category Icon Rock
Sand Category Icon Sand
Scenic Category Icon Scenic
Snow Wheeling Category Icon Snow Wheeling
Water Category Icon Water

Steel Bender is one of the more popular hard trails in the entire Moab area. Extremely close to town and easy to access, this trail offers an entire Moab experience in just over 9.5 miles. With towering Canyon walls, water crossings, sand dunes, slickrock fins, epic views, and ledges requiring the famous "Moab Bump", Steel Bender is non-stop fun and perfect for any adventure seeker or Jeep Badge of Honor trail hunter.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Beginning at Westwater Drive, Steel Bender crosses private property for the first half mile and then drops into a sandy canyon bottom, following Mill Creek. After several creek crossings, the trail ascends numerous slickrock ledges ranging from a few inches to a few feet tall. Just over 2 miles into the trail is an intersection where Steel Bender becomes a loop, returning to this same intersection later. The loop is traditionally run clockwise, as is written in this guide.

Along the Steel Bender loop are more ledges, fast sand sections, and an optional waterfall climb that will surely test most vehicles. The loop has several interconnecting spur roads that can be used as shortcuts at any time. After completing the loop, descend the ledges you climbed early, and return to Mill Creek and Westwater Drive.

Steel Bender has many obstacles, many of which offer multiple lines or bypasses. Drivers should be prepared to traverse 6-foot tall waterfalls, steeper than 30-degree inclines, and plenty of drops that you are sure to drag something on. This trail is best for experienced drivers in a modified vehicle with larger tires. A lift and lockers would be extremely helpful, but not entirely necessary.

Trail Reviews

4.2/5 (17)
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 06/20/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This is a fun trail that is reminiscent of Fins and Things, only tougher. Almost like if you took all the ledges and waterfalls from Top of the World and put them in Fins. This trail earned it’s name on my jeep today. I got my first battle scar; broken sway bar link. Not sure when or where it happened, but it’s worth mention.
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Official Crew
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125300
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Here is the video from our trip
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 05/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

First half super fun. HIGHLY recommend bailing at 19 (when riding clockwise as recommended), it goes back to 10. After 19 it’s basically a VERY rocky road all the way to the exit trial(the way you come in), it’s a beat down and not technical. The wall was fairly easy with good line selection (JLU Rubi on 37’s , 4.5 lift). the best part of the trail is the climb to the loop, you could do that then go to wall and turn around and the experience would be 4 star. Good trail but definitely hit the majors first. Cheers.
Trail Review: Steel Bender - Mark Zabolotny
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 04/25/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

The trail was ok. Very bumpy terrain for most of the trail but was a nice change in scenery. Trails app GPS was spot on every inch of the trail!
Trail Review: Steel Bender - landon shook
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3500
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/16/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

I'm gonna say harder BUT I was in a gladiator on 35s. My buddy was in a JLUR on 37s and had an easier time. The obstacles are no joke. I bypassed the wall but he did the wall and now had dented rock sliders. But that hat they're for. I only got 1 pic/video because of concentrating on the obstacles. We'll go back again. Fun trail

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