Palisade Plunge: Otto's Wall (Shirttail Point - Lands End Rd) Section

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This section of the Palisade Plunge starts at the Shirttail Point TH on the western lip of the Grand Mesa. There is a vault toilet, but no running water. If you want more plunging and less mesa then you can start here or skip this 3.1 mile section and start below where the trail crosses the Lands End road, however there is no available parking at that crossing. The quickest route here from Palisade is still usually driving up and across the Mesa on very accessible dirt roads. The slightly longer other option is heading up the Lands End Road with all its switchback glory.

The views from the get go are amazing and you can feel the exhilaration as you get the edge of the Grand Mesa. The top section of this trail was originally built by John Otto (main advocate for the Colo Nat Monument) in the 1920's and now repurposed for the Plunge, sharp steep switchbacks and all. His work done by hand is an engineering marvel and has held up over 100 years.
The plunging continues down more steep and sandy switchbacks. There are numerous techy sections that will rock you and tire your legs despite this being a mostly downhill ride.