4 2/10 Road Out and Back-Gateway Gravel

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Mesa County, CO, US

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Route Overview

We Ride 4

Nonprofit addressing child obesity and healthy lifestyles by getting more kids riding bikes

23 mi.

1,270 ft.

Easy, scenic gravel ride through Dolores Canyon with amazing views of red rocks, The Palisade and Dolores River

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Route Details

This is an easy gravel ride through the Dolores Canyon. The first 11 miles follow a nice hard-packed gravel road that parallels the north side of the Dolores River. Rather than just do a straight out and back ride, you can take a @slice[short 1.5 mile detour](d,18209.3,20807.5) on some double track at the Colorado/Utah border on your way back from the @poi[turnaround at the ranch](127628598). And then @slice[another 0.6 mile detour on the way back just before the Colorado/Utah state line](d,21780.7,22749) to catch a glimpse of the @poi[State Line Rapids](127628224).

There's nowhere to refill water bottles on this route so bring as much as you need. We rode it on a hot July day with 2 bottles. My 2nd bottle was almost empty when we finished.

This ride starts from the Trailhead parking area at the @poi[Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa](127588492). Follow the main road in the resort for 0.3 miles to the intersection with the 4 1/10 Road. Turn right and follow the 4 1/10 Road out to Highway 141. At highway 141, turn left, go over the Dolores River and turn left onto 4 2/10 Road. This is where the ride begins heading up the scenic Dolores Canyon. Within a short distance after turning onto this road, you will find yourself at the base of @photo[The Palisade](15775969).

**The Palisade** - At just over 7,000 feet, this red rock formation rises more than 2,000 above the small community of Gateway, CO.

After taking a few photos of this amazing geologic feature, continue on the 4 2/10 Road to @poi[mile 9](127588493) where you will reach the first of 4 crossings of the @photo[Colorado/Utah State Line](15775961). Shortly after crossing the border, the road turns north and becomes Dolores River Road.

While on the Dolores River Rd, you will cross over the Colorado/Utah state line twice (@poi[Mile 9.5](127588494) and @poi[mile 9.7](127628222)). After the 2nd crossing of the state line, the route turns West. Stay on this road until you get to the @photo[turnaround point at the Ranch](15775960).

After turning around, on your way back along the Dolores River Rd, at approx mile 11.3, stay straight and follow the double track for some added adventure scenery for approx 1 mile. You will also cross the @poi[Colorado/Utah State line](127628223) again here. After the trail ends, turn around and follow the double track back to Dolores River Rd.

At mile 14.1, turn right and follow the double track down to the Dolores River and a great view of the @photo[State Line Rapids](15775959).Take a few photos here, then head back up to the 4 2/10 Road.

Once you're back on the 4 2/10 Rd, turn right and follow it all the way back down the canyon to Highway 141 and the remainder of the route back to the parking area at Gateway Canyons Resort.

**Dolores River** - The Dolores River is a major tributary of the Colorado River, towards the east edge of the Colorado Plateau, and it forms two major canyon systems; one towards the upper (southern) end, a bendy and rather inaccessible stretch where the river flows through a series of tight, incised meanders, the other either side of the little town of Gateway, CO

**The Town of Gateway** - The first known homesteaders came to Gateway in 1884. Gateway has played host to gangs of cattle rustlers who used these canyon walls as hideouts from the law, gold miners who tunneled deep into the earth with the hope of finding their fortunes, and ranchers who have grazed thousands of head of cattle across Unaweep Canyon’s windswept grasslands. In 1903, homesteading families built a small, dirt-floored cabin to be used as a schoolhouse. The next year, the post office was established and the name “Gateway” was given to the town, as it is a gateway to Colorado from nearby Utah.

Gateway quickly became a strong community based around cattle ranching, farming and lumber milling. Later, uranium mining was the economic driver for the community. Today Gateway is becoming revitalized as it has opened its doors to the tourist community.

4 2/10 Road Out and Back-Gateway Gravel

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