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Palisade Rim

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.2 (100)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Western Colorado
  4. Palisade
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“Techy singletrack with amazing exposure and phenomenal views. ”

Andrew Judkins
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Map Key

8.7

Miles

14.0

KM

95%

Singletrack

6,031' 1,838 m

High

4,760' 1,451 m

Low

1,324' 404 m

Up

1,329' 405 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Exposure on-par with Moab's Porcupine Rim, but with fewer people and more singletrack.

Need to Know

Bring plenty of water. Avoid the upper loop after rain. Watch where you are going, falling in some spots could be fatal. Stop by the Palisade Brewing Company for a pint after your ride. Visit Rapid Creek Cycles in Palisade for current trail conditions.

Description

Park at the river launch site approx 200 yards north of the trailhead. The trail begins next to a large gate, start the climb up and around the irrigation ditch.

The initial 800 foot climb has just enough switchbacks to keep you on the bike, with plenty of short technical challenges to keep your attention.

At the top of the first climb, catch your breath and enjoy the view of Colorado's Wine Country. If you plan on doing both loops you have another 700 feet of climbing ahead of you, but it comes over more miles than the first climb.

Back on the bike, keep heading uphill and take a left at the intersection (trail is great in both directions, but flows better this way). Crank another mile over varied terrain to the upper loop connector trail. Take a left here to access the challenging upper loop, or stay right if you only want the lower action. Look off to the right and admire the petroglyphs on the sandstone (look, don't touch please).

Charge up the connector trail for 0.8 miles to reach the upper loop, and again go left at the intersection. This 4 mile loop has it all: rocks, dirt, shale, berms, twists, short climbs and plenty of cliff exposure. The highlight for most riders will probably be hammering down the west side of the upper loop, don't let the exposure rattle your nerves.

Head down the connector trail and rejoin the lower loop near the petroglyphs. The second half of the lower loop offers more rocky challenges, but with less exposure than the upper loop.

Now lower your seat a few inches and prepare to drop 800 feet back down to the parking lot (control your speed and watch out for hikers and shear cliffs).

History & Background

The history of this gem can be found at Rapid Creek Cycles

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Grand Junction Field Office

Shared By:

Andrew Judkins
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 100 votes

#1

in Palisade

#142

Overall
  4.2 from 100 votes
5 Star
49%
4 Star
34%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Palisade

#42

in Colorado

#142

Overall
78 Views Last Month
41,628 Since Oct 9, 2013
Difficult Difficult
0%
1%
2%
4%
84%
9%
Add a Photo

Photos

Nate Hills and Botsy Philips having fun on Palisade Rim!
Jun 14, 2016 near Palisade, CO
Petroglyphs at the trail intersection - make sure to be respectful!
Mar 30, 2017 near Palisade, CO
Lower section
Sep 27, 2022 near Palisade, CO
ROCKS, DROPS AND A BRUTAL CRASH
Dec 21, 2020 near Palisade, CO
Overlook of Colorado's Wine Country from the top of the 1st climb.
Oct 9, 2013 near Palisade, CO
Descending into the canyon for some steep slopes and cliff exposure on Palisade Rim.
Mar 30, 2017 near Palisade, CO

4 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 8, 2023
clifford johnson
Jul 21, 2022
Nicholas Feliciano
I went counter clock wise less flow but still fun and fast
Oct 1, 2021
Michael Gray
May 14, 2021
Kyle Blietz
Apr 24, 2021
Cara Hubbell
Zac's birthday ride! 9.1mi — 1h 59m
Apr 22, 2021
Private User
Mar 30, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Mar 27, 2021
Aaron Hann

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