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Chutes & Ladders Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.7 (79)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Western Colorado
  4. …Fruita
  5. 18 Road Trails
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“An aerobic roller coaster at the start, with a smooth flowy reward. ”

Nick Wilder
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Map Key

6.9

Miles

11.2

KM

100%

Singletrack

5,593' 1,705 m

High

5,077' 1,547 m

Low

637' 194 m

Up

637' 194 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

You must ride this clockwise.

Overview

The combination of easy flowing trail with short, incredibly steep uphill sections will leave you smiling at the finish.

Description

From the lower parking lot, head up Prime Cut (the common ascent for many trails around here). Prime Cut is one-way uphill, and is generally very easy except for a couple rocks near the top.

Once at the top, Chutes & Ladders heads straight through the intersection and climbs some remarkably steep but mercifully short hills. Most people are anaerobic in no time and end up having to walk a bit of the climbs. The dirt is very sticky though, so with decent technique, it all comes down to having the necessary leg and lung power. The downhills are steep too, but the trail is in excellent shape (no ruts or washouts) and should be rideable by anyone who goes this far.

After a series of ups and downs (chutes and ladders, that is) for about a half mile, you'll head out of the hills and down the gentle open slope. The trail changes character and becomes very fast and flowy. There are few surprises and you can really open it up through here.

You'll come to an intersection where Vegetarian and Down Uppity branch off to the right while Lower Chutes & Ladders continues straight. Any of the three options is fine. Vegetarian is the least interesting but fastest. Down Uppity winds around an arroyo and is pretty fun. From the intersection of Vegetarian Loop, go left (downhill) for a while until you get to an unsigned Y intersection. Going right is a shortcut to the Edge Loop and the parking. Go left to stay on this trail.

About a mile later you'll come to a road and fence. Go on the road for 50' and look for the trail to veer off the right along a fence line. Follow the fence line on the west side until you hit Edge Loop.

Take Edge Loop back to the parking lot. This last section is a VERY fast and flowy trail. There are a few fun wash crossings with steep ups and downs, so keep a lookout for them as you fly down the trail.

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Grand Junction Field Office

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Jeff Hainline
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 79 votes

#2

in 18 Road Trails

#247

Overall
  3.7 from 79 votes
5 Star
22%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
28%
2 Star
11%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in 18 Road Trails

#84

in Colorado

#247

Overall
71 Views Last Month
20,716 Since Mar 29, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
2%
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35%
21%
42%
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Photos

A great overview of the 18 Rd. trails in Fruita.
Oct 9, 2013 near Fruita, CO
Ascending Chutes and Ladders just after the intersection with Prime Cut.
Oct 20, 2018 near Fruita, CO
Heading back to the top after PBR. Two mile trek uphill every time, thinking of a shuttle-ride.
Apr 6, 2016 near Fruita, CO
Beautiful ride along the ridge with a punchy perch near end.
May 8, 2024 near Fruita, CO
Great scenery at the top of Chutes & Ladders
Apr 1, 2013 near Fruita, CO
Chutes and Ladders | SEPT 2017
Nov 10, 2018 near Fruita, CO

2 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 13 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 18, 2024
Chris Rice
Nov 18, 2023
Matthew Kittredge
Oct 16, 2023
Kenny S
Aug 12, 2023
Bryan Hulse
I wasn't thrilled with the Chutes downhill. Straight, full of tumble weeds and cow dung. And cows have used the trail so it was super knarled up. I…
Jun 10, 2023
Dylan Walker
Jun 15, 2022
Dan Cermack
Apr 26, 2022
Duane Davison
0h 50m
Mar 30, 2022
Atsuko Ohtake

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