April 23, Palisade Rim Trail


Kevin on Upper Loop


This new trail has been on our list.  The initial climb up to the rim and the upper loop were completed in the Spring of 2013.  We were really worried about riding today, as it was quite windy today for a rim trail.

The trail climbs steeply for 800 feet in the first mile.  Went right around the lower loop.  Checked out the petroglyphs off the trail.  Then hit the connector trail to the upper loop and went left.  We climbed on new, narrow, bench-cut singletrack.  Luckily the trail along the rim/cliffs was nothing to worry about, as far as cliff exposure.  We were quite worked by the technical nature of the trail system.  The description rates it as difficult, even by Grand Junction standards, and they are correct, until more use causes the natural widening of the trail.   9.4 tough miles.

Stopped in the local bike shop, Rapid City Cycles, after the ride, and got the skinny on future development.   The owner of the bike shop says the upper loop is already wider than it was a year ago.  Sounds like the next trail will continue to climb even higher, with hopes of reaching 10,000 feet.

Francine with Petroglyphs near Lower Loop trail

Francine on super-narrow singletrack, climbing on the Upper Loop

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