15-Grand Loop

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Grand Junction, CO, US

Route Overview

Grand Valley Trails Alliance

United on Trails

8 mi.

1,212 ft.

This is the dirt portion of the 15-Grand course of the Grand Junction Off-Road. This ride provides a fun, challenging ride that includes technical climbs, fun singletrack, tech descents, and fun, fast flow.

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Route Details

The 15-Grand Loop is featured in the Grand Junction Off-Road and is an excellent test-piece for riding in the Lunch Loops. It features strenuous climbs, technical challenges, stunning landscapes, and exceptional experiences. All just 5 minutes from downtown. Based out of the Lunch Loops Parking Lot, this ride will take skilled, fit riders about an hour, but if your game isn't up to the Grand Junction standard, please be prepared for 3+ hours Grand of adventure.

Before starting this ride, please make sure that you are prepared. Water, a capable mountain bike in good working condition, and a buddy are all important safety precautions that will allow you to have fun and come home in one piece. Please consider carrying nutrition, a first aid kit, and a phone. Please be aware that there are sections of this trail where you won't get service. And before riding, make sure you have a plan and that you share that plan with someone responsible who can act accordingly if you don't return as scheduled. Ok. With that info, let's get riding.

This ride starts up the @slice[**Tabeguache**](d,687.26,3738.44) (frequently referred to as the "Tab" and pronounced as "Tab-a-watch") which is a historic trail that connects Grand Junction and Montrose through some of the most rugged, amazing country in Colorado. The entrance into the first canyon is an adventure in technicolor soils and desert landscapes. The first part winds though a drainage and comes to a fork. Take the @point[**LEFT**](d,650.42) fork which quickly turns up a steep, short, red hill to a relatively flat desert meadow. Enjoy the view and get those legs warmed up, because the climbing starts just ahead.

Continue on the @slice[**Tabeguache**](d,687.26,3738.44) trail picking your line carefully as you climb through the rocks and ruts of this challenging demand double track. The steep climbs and short respites will peg your heartrate and the technical challenges will test your riding skills. Continue on the **Tab** past the @point[**Moto**](d,690.11) connector on the left, past the @point[**Pet-e-kis**](d,11547.88) connector on the right, and then past the **High Noon** trail on the left. The **Tabeguache** forks and then comes back toghether with the RIGHT being the steeper and more technical option and the LEFT being slightly less steep and slightly less technical. Keep to the RIGHT past **Lemon Squeezer** and **Pucker UP** trails up to the @poi[Fin Rock](1522767). This is a great place to regroup, enjoy the view, and snap a photo.

The next stretch is the @slice[**Widow Maker Hill**](d,2399.62,2950.74) and it is a hike-a-bike for everyone. It it steep and filled with big moves. It used to be rideable, but not now. So push your bike for a few seconds while you enjoy the view. As soon as **Widow Maker** eases up, hop back on your bike and gind your way through the loose rock and big step ups, but be careful for the short, technical step downs. They have sent many a rider OTB and a few to the ER. Continue on the **Tabeguache** past the @point[**Prenup**](d,3662.27) trail on the left up to @point[**Little Park Road**](d,3796.46).

Cross @point[**Little Park Road**](d,3839.01) and a few dozen feet downhill you will find the TH for the @slice[**Gunny Loop**](d,3843.65,5178.05). This fun singletrack trail will crack open lots of smiles, but it has some fun challenges to master as well. The first one comes as soon as the trail starts and it has claimed its fair share of broken arms. BE CAREFUL. It is very rideable, but stay off the front brake! After conquering that first challenge, enjoy the step up and down moves as the @slice[**Gunny Loop**](d,3843.65,5178.05) trail winds its way through some fun desert country. Stay RIGHT when the @point[**Gunnector**](d,5164.91) turn comes and continue climbing up some small sandstone steps. Stay STRAIGHT when the @slice[**Andy's Connector**](d,5365,5597.28) trail forks off to the right and momentum your way through two little rock gardens that are fun test pieces. Shortly after, take the RIGHT fork around a tree and directly onto graveled double track that leads you to the **Little Park Parking Lot and Trailhead**. Make use of the facilities, take on some fluids and some nutrition and give the bike one last check because we are headed down @slice[**Andy's Loop**](d,5597.28,9723.96) next.

Turn RIGHT down @slice[**Little Park Road**](d,5178.05,5365) through the two corners and watch for the turn onto @slice[**Andy's Loop**](d,5597.28,9723.96) on the right. It can be a little hard to see. Their is a shortcut where the car pullout is, but the real trail starts a little further down the hill and then doubles back. @slice[**Andy's Loop**](d,5597.28,9723.96) is a singletrack masterpiece that throws everything at the rider. The start is a fast downhill through boulders and on sharp corners built into crazy looking grey soils that when dry can vary between concrete and marbles and when wet **SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COST**. A little moisture on the grey soils turn them into greased peanut butter that will stick to your tires and feet so that you can barely move. But when it is dry, like it usually is, it is fun! Follow @slice[**Andy's Loop**](d,5597.28,9723.96) as it descends into **Rough Canyon** making sure to ride the line and enjoy the view. There are a few spots on the descent that might result in death if someone were to stray too far off the trail, but don't worry too much and enjoy the ride.

**Andy's Loop** drops into Rough Canyon where it meets the end of the **Ribbon Trail**. Continue RIGHT and down the drainage until you get to the new reroute section that climbs back up. This narrow section is a physical challenge and a mental challenge, but any and all stops are rewarded with exceptional views. Climb up past **Headache Rock** with a short, bursty move, but save some energy, because the climbing continues. This climb tops out at a saddle that gives a glimpse of the fun to come. The descent is fast and wild with some rocky sections, tight corners and lots of flow. The drop down into the **No Thoroughfare** drainage is a blast.

The next section feels like you are on another planet. Or the Moon. And if you are feeling beat down from the challenges of the ride, it can really get in your head, but don't worry, you aren't on another planet and the trailhead is just a couple miles of fun away.

@slice[**Andy's Loop**](d,5597.28,9723.96) ends with a climb up @slice[four switchbacks](d,9624.09,9799.2) to the intersection with **Eagle's Wing**. Take a LEFT at the intersection and fly down @point[**Eagle's Wing**](d,9753.71), but watch out for the talons. There are lots of rocks on the edges of the trail that like to pop tires, break spokes and generally cause havoc. But this singletrack rips with lots of fun bonus point hits on the edges. You meet @slice[**Pet-e-Kis**](d,11266.9,11555.54) after some wild, rocky, hairpin corners where you need to take a @point[LEFT](d,647.57).

You finish out the ride descending throught the first canyon of the @slice[**Tabeguache**](d,11555.54,12180.17) you rode through. Does it look different after all that you have experienced? Smile at any riders you see entering into the system and keep an eye out for the runners and dogs. And welcome back to the @point[**Lunch Loops Trailhead**](d,0.34).

To enhance your journey consider stops at any/all of the following nearby shops:

* [Ruby Canyon Cycles](http://www.rubycanyoncycles.com)
* [Cafe Sol](http://www.cafesolgj.com)
* [Bin 707 Foodbar](http://www.bin707.com)

# More resources

If you want good maps of the area, and like supporting the organization that build and maintain the amazing trails of the Grand Valley, please check out [COPMOBA](http://copmoba.org) and please consider a donation.

If you love your adventure on the 15-Grand route and want more, but feel an experienced guide would be a great way to explore the vast trails of the Grand Valley, you can't do better than to ride with David and Sarah of [Desert Rat Tours](http://www.desertrattours.com/#!).

# Important Reminders

These trails can be terrible in the mud. Please keep an eye on the weather and if it looks like it is going to rain, get to pavement ASAP. It only takes trying to drag a 50+ pound bike through greased peanut butter once to make sure you **NEVER** make that mistake again.

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15-Grand Loop

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