Rabbit Valley #4/8/3 Rim Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

This is an amazing loop ride in Rabbit Valley for the intrepid riders who have ridden everything else in the area and want a solitary experience. This is a motorbike loop, including all that can be imagined by that description. It is not for the novice, easily wearied, or impatient. The reward is truly some of the most amazing Colorado River canyon views in the Fruita area, not to mention the gnar!

Moto, moto, moto...sand, sand, sand. Knee and elbow pads strongly recommended.

From the main parking area south of the Rabbit Valley exit ride the Rabbit Valley 4 behind the track area to a fork. Stay right on the Rabbit Valley 4 as it is the most interesting, easiest climb out of the furnace. Climb to a ridge line and look for a steep, well established doubletrack due south towards a hidden valley.

Descend the doubletrack and look for a the Rabbit Valley 8, aka The Rim Trail, aka The New Rim Trail on the left side of the road. If not for the great photos already posted along the loop, the description would go like this: "ride past the number 8 and continue on the well-established, easy to pedal doubletrack all the way to the eastern end of the ride, which is super fun and does not involve hiking through a lot of sand."

As the Rabbit Valley 8 requires a little description, the GPS track follows it, involving a bit of walking through steep sandy trail sections that are difficult at best on a motorcycle on a wet day. So intrepid riders, carry on along the #8. For the fun loving, skip it!

After reaching the extreme eastern end of the ride (a quasi-cul de sac), sit down and enjoy some amazing views of Mee Canyon. From this point back to the west, it's all singletrack...in the moto sense of the word. The western portion of this loop is very gnarly, involving advanced technical skills. In general the return trail follows the rim overlooking the Colorado River. There are a few anaerobic ups, but this section of trail is mostly rideable.

After a short push near the end, intersect the starting doubletrack and turn right...unless you want an absolutely stunning view of Black Rocks along the Colorado River. This doubletrack terminates at an overlook just to the south of the intersection and is well worth the short out and back for the views of this incredible canyon. Head back north on the doubletrack, back up to the rim and the Rabbit Valley 4, descend to and catch the ripping Rabbit Valley 3 back to the parking lot. Voila!