Wherever you are, and whatever your off-roading skill level happens to be, incredible adventure awaits.
No one knows that better than Rivian's vehicle testing team, who find themselves on all kinds of trails conducting real-world testing to validate the performance, reliability and functionality of our vehicles.
Meet Quentin Spottiswoode, Rivian's Staff Dynamics Engineer for Controls Calibrations and Off-Road, as he describes the trail he keeps coming back to and what it takes to run it right.
Quentin spends his days shaping how our vehicles handle unpaved ground, from tuning our drive units in early development to traction control calibration once physical vehicles hit the dirt. Some days that means testing off-grid in the desert. Others, it's writing experimental code or running simulations to see what's coming next.
"There's no other business that holds [sustainable adventure] as a value over everything else," Quentin said of why he does this work. A SCUBA instructor, a climbing instructor, and a ski and snowboard instructor—for Quentin, Rivian vehicles are simply the means to keep doing the things he loves while preserving the earth.
Big Mesa, Moab, Utah
Courthouse Rock & Uranium Arch—a combination of the M&M (Monitor and Merrimac) Trail and 7-Mile Rim
This trail has been the cornerstone of R2 development as we seek to answer the question every off-road engineer asks: what will a customer actually do with this car? It starts on Mill Canyon Road, climbs toward a formation called Courthouse Rock, then winds along the edge of the mesa with sweeping views out to Arches National Park before finishing at Uranium Arch, named for the old mines nearby.
"This trail has a little of everything Moab has to offer, in a bite-size chunk," Quentin said. "It shows off the capability R2 has along with geological sightseeing, grand vistas, and some real history."
Level
Medium/Blue, 4 out of 10 on the Red Rocks 4Wheelers scaleOpens in new tab.
Trail Locations
■ Start at Mill Canyon Road, about 15 minutes north of Moab, and head up toward Courthouse Rock.
■ Continue along the mesa edge for views of Arches National Park.
■ Finish at Uranium Arch.
■ For the return, drop down a faster, sandier route through a wash, or retrace your climb back down a steep 40% grade.
Bonus Locations
■ Bolder, R1 drivers can keep going past Uranium Arch and pick up 7-Mile Rim, which follows the mesa further and includes a v-ditch obstacle—one of Quentin's favorites.
■ Mill Canyon Dinosaur TracksiteOpens in new tab (38.7207747, -109.7339538)
■ Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone TrailOpens in new tab (38.7121955, -109.739647)
■ Camping along Mill Canyon Road. Trail Tips
■ R1 (Tri-Motor or Quad-Motor): use Rock Crawl drive mode.
■ R1 (Dual-Motor): use All-Terrain drive mode.
■ R2 (Dual-Motor or Dual-Performance): 20" All-Terrain tires, All-Terrain drive mode.
■ Air down per your owner's manual, and always carry a spare tire and an off-road jack.
■ Carry recovery equipment (Like this starter kit)
■"Don't be afraid of a little underbody contact," Quentin said. "Control the vehicle gently down the steps and slopes, and a little tap every now and then is not a problem." Underbody contact is expected in R2. R1 should stay clear if you've selected the correct ride height—Quentin recommends staying in "high" unless you truly need the extra clearance, since it's easier on the vehicle and more comfortable to drive.
Charging
There are a few charging options located within 25 miles of the trail.
■ Tesla Supercharger in Moab (Magic Dock)Opens in new tab
■ Rocky Mountain Power Charging Station, MoabOpens in new tab
■ Many local hotels also offer Level 2 charging.
Know Before You Go:
■ Spring and fall are the best times to run this trail. Skip it if rain is in the forecast—flash floods are common and dangerous in this terrain. Summer temperatures can top 100°F, so pack plenty of water and food; winter snow means it's best to sit this one out until it clears.
■ The desert soil here supports a fragile microbiotic ecosystem known as cryptobiotic soil, which can take hundreds of years to recover from a single footstep. Stay on the trail.
■ Wildlife is scarce and tends to stay hidden, but pack out everything you bring in—even biodegradable waste disrupts the local ecosystem.
■ The arches, mines, and rock structures in the area are unstable and degrade further every time a vehicle drives over them. Do not drive over the arches.
■ Trail access is managed by the Moab BLM Field Office. Check with them ahead of time for current conditions and any required permits.
Fun fact: This is the official R2 sign-off trail. Rivian has run it with early development vehicles, heavily instrumented test cars, and prototypes throughout the R2 build process. It's the last stop before the team gives R2 its thumbs up.
"I can’t even count how many times I’ve run this trail," Quentin said. "I keep coming back because of the beauty of the landscape."
Rivian is committed to upholding Tread Lightly best practices to put trail stewardship at the center of every off-road adventure. Wherever you go, travel responsibly, respect the rights of others, educate yourself before you go, avoid sensitive areas, and do your part to leave the trail better than you found it.
Informational purposes only.
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice or expert guidance. Operate your vehicle responsibly, and only in areas and under conditions that match your experience. In addition to consulting your Rivian Owner's Guide before engaging in this activity, always check local weather and other conditions, such as trail closures, fire restrictions, or other hazards, and where appropriate, seek professional assistance. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we do not assume any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, omissions or errors in this content, nor for any adverse outcomes resulting from your failure to assess and respond to real-world conditions.
