Do you want to see something A-MAZE-ing?
The Maze district of [Canyonlands National Park](https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm) is the most remote area of the park and a truly special place to visit. It is a diverse area with many unique geological formations. Not many people get to access the Maze, but we think that our trips combining mountain biking and hiking are a great way to experience such a special place.
 The views are incredible and there are few people around, as the Maze is the most restricted and by far sees the fewest visitors each year
- only around 5000!
Just How Remote Is It?
It takes about 3 hours of driving to get to Hans Flat Ranger Station, the start of our Maze trip from our pickup spot in Green River, UT. A good part of the drive is on washboarded and sandy roads leaving you wondering where in the heck we are taking you. But just wait
- the drive is more than worth it once you start your ride.
The first hour or so of riding is a great warmup on smooth jeep roads that help you stretch out your legs after a morning of vehicle travel. Just as you are about to completely zone out with steady pedaling, you will arrive at the edge of the Flint Trail, a steep and fun descent that will have you hooting and hollering all the way down. The ride will continue to trend downhill through Elaterite Basin, all the way to the Maze Overlook.
How A-MAZE-ing
The Maze is a network of canyons made up of primarily Cedar Mesa Sandstone and swirling and colorful, something that has to be seen to really believe it is real. The Maze Overlook campground sits right on the edge of this network of canyons, a place that is other-wordly to look at.
We spent two nights enjoying this campsite and used it as a jumping off point to hike down into the maze of canyons below.
 Sunset at the Maze Overlook campground.
 The views are other-worldy.
The Harvest Scene
The hike to the Harvest Scene is an adventurous one that involves scrambling down (and then back up!) some tricky sandstone features. Once down in the canyon bottom, the hike is straightforward walking through the sand, allowing your eyes the chance to wander and spot petroglyphs on the canyon walls.
The main objective of the hike is the Harvest Scene, a Barrier Style rock painting that is estimated to be between 2000-3000 years old.
It is also the perfect spot to sit under the shade of some cottonwood trees to enjoy lunch while taking in the art.
 Some scrambling down to the canyon floor on the way to the Harvest Scene pictograph panel.
 The Harvest Scene is a great example of Barrier Style rock art.
Riding with A-MAZE-ing views
Leaving behind the Maze Overlook campground is bittersweet. It is such a spectacular spot but there is more to explore! The group backtracked about 7 miles of trail that we had ridden to get into the camp and then turned off to head toward the next camp
- Teapot Rock.
The trail then drops down a fun descent and turns off on the road to the Doll House and the ride finished at Teapot Rock campground.
 The views on the ride are nothing short of breathtaking. Take your time to stop and enjoy
- a downhill is coming soon!
Change of Plans Lead to Epic Adventures
On our trip, we had some weather roll in during the middle of the trip. Rain in the desert is always a magic occasion, but it can lead to some adjustments to the plan. We lucked out that it rained only at night, and the sound of rain on my tent was excellent for sleeping. The amount of rain we got caused the guides to expertly change our itinerary to start our long ride out a day early and split up an almost 40 mile day into two. It was for sure the right decision as the road was saturated and slow going on the last day. It would have been an epic slog if we had done the whole thing in one day! Switching the plan also meant we got to explore some lesser known archaeological sites that had a cliff dwelling and small relics! One thing I have learned in the desert is to not get too attached to any one plan because no matter what you do
- it’s going to be amazing. And this side adventure proved this point.
On our last day of riding, we were treated to some incredible clouds and scenery. We even got to see water flowing down the top of a slot canyon
- a rare site in the desert since it usually happens only during intense storms. Such a treat!
If you are thinking about a [Maze trip](https://rimtours.com/tours/the-maze-5-day/), [get in touch](mailto: info@rimtours.com) or book it! It is highly recommended for anyone who is looking for something off the beaten path and wants a quieter adventure. The [6 Day Tour](https://rimtours.com/tours/the-maze-6-day/) adds a bonus hiking day at the beginning to another rock art panel. It is not an easy place to get to on your own, so let us do the work for you and you can just enjoy mountain biking in the Maze District of Canyonlands and enjoy an a-MAZE-ing adventure!
