By Jon Crowley
Where Eagles Dare in Moab, Utah delivers steep slickrock climbs, exposed descents and outstanding canyon views. This loop branches off Golden Spike and can be reached through Poison Spider Mesa or incorporated into a longer ride connecting Poison Spider, Golden Spike and Gold Bar Rim.
Our original trip took place during the 2019 Rally on the Rocks, when I joined Reid Nordin from Walker Evans Racing to explore the route in our modified Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo S. The combination of challenging terrain and incredible scenery made it one of the highlights of that Moab visit.
Where Eagles Dare Trail Overview
- Location: Moab, Utah, in the Poison Spider–Golden Spike–Gold Bar Rim trail network.
- Route: A side loop off Golden Spike, with additional riding required to reach it.
- Terrain: Steep sandstone domes, sidehills, exposed descents and technical obstacles on the approach trails.
- Experience: Best suited to experienced rock-crawling drivers in properly prepared vehicles.
- Distance: Depends on the approach and return route; plan the entire ride rather than just the Where Eagles Dare loop.
The difficulty starts before you reach Where Eagles Dare. Approaching from Poison Spider means negotiating that trail’s ledges and climbs, followed by part of Golden Spike. Red Rock 4-Wheelers emphasizes the steepness of this combined route and the importance of well-maintained brakes in its Poison Spider–Where Eagles Dare trail description.
Our Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo S
I brought a multipurpose adventure build rather than a dedicated rock crawler. Its long wheelbase, 35-inch ITP Coyote tires and lower transmission gearing worked very well on Moab’s terrain while preserving its usefulness in the desert and dunes.
The lower gears helped make the larger tires more manageable at crawling speeds. For the complete setup, see our 2019 Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo S adventure build and our separate Turbo S lower transmission gearing test.
Getting to Poison Spider Mesa
Our ride started at Poison Spider Mesa, accessed from Potash Road, also known as Utah State Route 279. BLM directs visitors to turn at the Dinosaur Tracks sign and continue uphill to the trailhead. Its listed trailhead coordinates are 38.533508, -109.607605.
Trailer staging: BLM currently prohibits trailer parking and staging in the trailhead entrance road and lot. Use designated Potash Road pullouts with the entire vehicle and trailer off the highway and outside the white line. BLM also identifies overflow parking at Gold Bar Recreation Site.
BLM currently lists no toilets or drinking water at the trailhead. Check the official Poison Spider Mesa Trailhead page for current facilities and access information before traveling.
Poison Spider and Golden Spike
From Poison Spider, we worked through the ledges and slickrock before joining Golden Spike. The approach is part of the adventure, with technical driving and views across the red rock country surrounding Moab.
Watch our Polaris RZR on Poison Spider during the 2019 Rally on the Rocks.
Golden Spike connects Poison Spider with Gold Bar Rim. The Launch Pad is one of its recognizable slickrock climbs, shown in the original video below.
Steep Slickrock on Where Eagles Dare
The sandstone domes on Where Eagles Dare are tall and steep in both directions. On our trip, the climbs and descents made sections of Hell’s Revenge feel tame by comparison. Strong traction on dry sandstone does not eliminate the consequences of a missed line or a poorly controlled descent.
Scout unfamiliar sections before committing, use an experienced spotter where needed and leave room between vehicles. Wheelbase, tire size and vehicle setup affect how a UTV approaches the terrain, so another driver’s line may not suit your machine.
Corona Arch and Canyon Views
The overlooks are a major part of the appeal. From Where Eagles Dare, we could look toward Corona Arch and the surrounding canyon country. Stop in a suitable place clear of the travel line to enjoy the scenery without blocking other riders.
Returning to Poison Spider or Continuing the Trifecta
On our 2019 ride, we returned to the same Poison Spider trailhead. After Where Eagles Dare rejoined Golden Spike, we turned back toward Poison Spider and retraced our approach.
Another option is to continue along Golden Spike, cross Golden Crack and finish through Gold Bar Rim. That creates a longer point-to-point ride and requires a plan for transportation between the starting and finishing areas. Our later Moab Trifecta ride in a Kawasaki KRX 1000 shows how we connected those three trails and included Where Eagles Dare along the way.
Watch Reid Nordin driving Where Eagles Dare during our 2019 Moab ride.
Planning Your Moab UTV Ride
Check brakes, tires, steering and suspension before leaving town. Carry water, food, tools, tire repair supplies, recovery equipment and an offline map, and travel with another capable vehicle. Allow plenty of time for the approach, spotting and return; the most challenging driving may come well before or after the Where Eagles Dare loop.
Follow designated motorized routes and current signs. Before traveling, review the Utah OHV Program’s education, registration and nonresident permit information. Our photos and videos document the 2019 trip; current land-manager guidance should determine your route and staging plans.
Where Eagles Dare Photo Gallery
