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Zippity Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.3 (189)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Western Colorado
  4. …Fruita
  5. 18 Road Trails
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“A moderate climb on smooth singletrack leads to swooping hills and big grins. ”

Nick Wilder
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Map Key

8.5

Miles

13.7

KM

100%

Singletrack

5,487' 1,672 m

High

5,036' 1,535 m

Low

703' 214 m

Up

703' 214 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

The Zippity Do Da trail is one-way downhill. Do this loop clockwise.

Overview

Taking the furthest west trail in the networks, the Zippity Loop feels a little more remote than the other riding in the 18 Road area. Because most people ride this one way (clockwise), and there are fewer intersections with other trails, you might not see many other riders.

Much of the ride is high up on ridges and the scenery is a little more expansive on this ride compared to others in the area.

This trail is rated difficult due some very steep descents down the ridges. Though not technical, they can be intimidating, and the largest steepest one is a little sandy. Walking down them increases the erosion, so this isn't the greatest place if you're new to the areas and unsure of your abilities on steep descents. Other than the hills, the trail is easy with a few bits of advanced intermediate climbing.

Description

Start at the south end of the lower parking lot and head west up and down some small hills. One or two will get your heart rate up, and this is a good sanity check for the future - if you found these hard, you're going to be in trouble later!

You'll pass the bottom of the Kessel Run, the MoJoe trail, and then the Zippity Do Da trail a little later. Stay straight on Western Zippity and pass them all. Don't be tempted by Zippity Cutoff to the left, which is a short segment just connecting this trail to the road below.

Zippity West winds around and starts heading north towards the hills along easy smooth singletrack, mostly on the top of low ridges. The scenery is great and the couple miles pass quickly.

Near the top of the hill you'll hit the Frontside trail which you'll take to the right (east) a short ways until you arrive at a brutal but short set of switchbacks up to the top of a large ridge. Power up it - it's the steepest climb on this ride so give it everything you've got, then enjoy the view and easy roll along the top of the ridge.

After a half mile of beautiful ridge riding, the Zippity Do Da trail appears. Zip down and around through some washes. There are some really nice twists and turns in here, but look out for some g-outs at the bottom.

And now you've arrived: the BIG rollers start to appear, and you'll go up little hills and down BIG and STEEP hills over and over. The descents are smooth and have clean runouts at the bottom, so take it easy on the brakes, sit way back, don't think too much, and you'll be fine.

Eventually the rolling ridge and hills come to an end and you're back on the same lollipop stick near the start. Take a left and cruise back to the trailhead.

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Grand Junction Field Office

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Andrew Courtney and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 189 votes

#1

in 18 Road Trails

#89

Overall
  4.3 from 189 votes
5 Star
51%
4 Star
31%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in 18 Road Trails

#27

in Colorado

#89

Overall
125 Views Last Month
77,479 Since Mar 29, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
27%
14%
58%
1%
Add a Photo

Photos

A great overview of the 18 Rd. trails in Fruita.
Oct 9, 2013 near Fruita, CO
Here's a great insider's tip: Ride the 18 Road trails just before sunset... the trails will be empty, the light will be epic, and the views are unreal.
Nov 16, 2015 near Fruita, CO
There are jumps everywhere on MoJoe.
Jan 17, 2017 near Fruita, CO
Endless flow on Zippity Do Da.
Oct 2, 2014 near Fruita, CO
Riding the Zippity Spines will make you feel like a kid again.
Jan 16, 2020 near Fruita, CO
The ridge of Zippity divides light and shadow.
Nov 8, 2015 near Fruita, CO

8 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 13 days ago
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Check-Ins

May 29, 2024
Allie Lazerwitz
Steep parts are a bit sandy and loose but amazing views, and a great trail with tough climbs in the heat! — 2h 07m
Apr 19, 2024
Logan Holland
8.8mi — 1h 53m
Apr 19, 2024
Chris Rice
Mar 11, 2024
Jesi Klabak
Jan 1, 2024
Michael Skiles
Dec 21, 2023
Lost Justpastnowhere
Nov 21, 2023
Matthew Kittredge
Sep 23, 2023
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