Trail Log · Saturday, April 25, 2026

Poison Spider

  • UpThe switchbacks0.9 mi
  • MesaAcross the mesa6.3 mi

One way from Potash Road, Moab

Poison Spider Mesa, off Potash Road (Scenic Byway 279) northwest of Moab, Utah. One way up from the river, on trail 10:08 AM to 12:22 PM in Sucia, a 2021 Jeep Wrangler JLU Sport.

Distance7.2 mi
Moving time1h 27m
Total time2h 14m
Climbing1,200 ft
High point4,822 ft
Steepest pitch34% downhill
onX track on a UTM zone 12N 1 km grid. One way; the recording ends partway along the trail. Hover the track to read elevation and time.

Elevation

Feet along the track, from onX’s elevations (USGS 10 m model)

The day

10:08 AM–12:22 PM · moving 1h 27m, stopped 47 min across 11 stops

Trail review

From our run, the track, and the published guides

The trail

Poison Spider Mesa leaves Potash Road northwest of Moab and climbs the cliff face in a set of switchbacks before crossing the mesa. onX lists a 10-foot slickrock climb, then the Waterfall, “a winding slickrock set of ledges that run for about 100-meters,” then the V-notch, a sandy stretch called High Speed Mesa, and a 3.5-mile loop past Little Arch, giant potholes and sand hills. FunTreks rates it difficult and says most people drive the first half on their way to Golden Spike: “But don’t miss the loop.”

Our run

Saturday, April 25, on our Moab trip. We were still learning the app that week, and most of what we recorded in Moab didn’t save; this stretch of Poison Spider did. From the start at 4,075 ft, the track climbs the switchbacks and crosses the mesa, topping out at 4,822 ft; the steepest pitch, 34% over 100 m, is the drop just after the high point. The recording stops after 7.2 miles, at 4,654 ft.

Good to know

  • FunTreks recommends modified vehicles with bigger tires, lockers and high ground clearance, and says “some drivers of newer aggressive stock SUVs are getting through with careful tire placement and the help of a good spotter.”
  • FunTreks lists the best season as March through November.
  • FunTreks notes that Poison Spider is a popular mountain bike trail too.

▶ Watch Poison Spider on YouTube

Leg by leg

LegRoadTimeDistanceMovingStoppedElevation
Up the switchbacksPoison Spider Mesa trail10:08–10:27 AM0.91 mi12 min6 min4,075 → 4,255 ft
Across the mesaPoison Spider Mesa trail10:27 AM–12:22 PM6.26 mi1h 15m41 min4,255 → 4,654 ft, high 4,822 ft
Total10:08 AM–12:22 PM7.2 mi1h 27m47 min+1,200 ft