Round Trip Distance: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 5771 - 5797 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 20 mins.
Trailhead: Horsethief Campground
Fee: none ($15/campsite)
Attractions: Easy singletrack
Wrangler Loop is part of the Horsethief Mountain Bike Trail Area near Moab, Utah. The trail makes a short loop just south of the Horsethief Campground connecting to it in two places and providing access to the Rowdy trail. The trail is perfect for campers looking for an easy hike or mountain bike ride.
The Horsethief Campground is 12 miles on Highway 313 from its junction with Highway 191 about 9 miles north of Moab. The Wrangler Loop connects to the campground between sites 26 and 27 in the Buckskin Loop and between sites 13 and 14 in the Appaloosa Loop. This post begins at the trailhead in the Buckskin Loop.
The loop starts near the trailhead. The accompanying slideshow follows the loop in the counterclockwise direction.
Most of the trail has a dirt base although some occasional rock is encountered.
When the trail does cross patches of rock the route is marked with stripes of blue paint.
As the trail begins looping southward it is met by a spur from the Appaloosa Loop.
The trail continues its scenic loop as it twists its way through the sparse forest of pinyons and junipers.
Heading eastward the trail parallels a fence. At the point where it turns northward back, toward the trailhead, it passes its junction with the Rowdy Loop.
Campers will enjoy the access the trail provides to the playground of nearby boulders and ledges.
