The Grand Loop

The Grand Loop, one of the most influential and yet somewhat forgotten bikepacking routes in the West. The creation of the Grand Loop was the result of the ahead-of-their-time vision of the individuals behind the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Alliance. This group created three long-distance mountain bike trails in the late 1980s and early 1990s – the Kokopelli, Tabeguache, and Paradox Trails. Forming a 370-mile circuit, this Grand Loop offers a bikepacking experience unlike any other – remote and stunningly gorgeous Colorado Plateau landscapes, canyons, pine forests, badlands, and aspen glades, all linked by challenging riding on mostly 4×4 tracks and abandoned uranium mining roads. Despite the fact that there is minimal singletrack along the way, this is one of the more demanding and legitimate mountain bike routes out there. Don’t even think about bringing a gravel bike. Services along the route are minimal, and water sources are almost all seasonal and relatively widely spaced.

This route is most often ridden beginning in Grand Junction and in a counterclockwise direction. Recreation paths link Grand Junction to Fruita and the eastern terminus of the Kokopelli Trail near Loma. The Kokopelli Trail begins with ~15 miles of singletrack above the Colorado River before a few dozen miles of 4×4 tracks, gravel roads, and two-tracks through badlands and over ledgey mesas before crossing the Colorado River at Dewey Bridge. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there’s no need for a fat bike). Leaving the Colorado River, the Kokopelli Trail climbs steadily toward the La Sal Mountains. The climb is punctuated by several deep canyons and loose, challenging descents. Camping opportunities with huge views are common, and the only water source between the river and high in the La Sals is the seasonal Hideout Spring.

Reaching the flanks of the La Sals, reliable water can be found at Castle Creek just before the Grand Loop route turns off the Kokopelli Trail and onto the Paradox Trail. The first miles of the Paradox are relatively smooth riding through aspen forests and high meadows on bladed roads heading toward the small Buckeye Reservoir near the Colorado-Utah border. Southeast of Buckeye, the official Paradox Trail stays high above the Paradox Valley on Carpenter Ridge before a hair-raising plunge down Red Canyon to the Dolores River. The route then climbs up the lower slopes of the Uncompahgre Plateau to begin the “Koski Traverse,” a very rugged, remote, and challenging traverse of a series of drainages. This section, along with Carpenter Ridge, can be bypassed via the Bedrock Alternate. This alternate descends into the Paradox Valley and follows gravel roads and pavement past the Bedrock Store and through the incredibly scenic Dolores River Canyon. These two routes rejoin and proceed toward Nucla on narrow roads and then abandoned 4×4 tracks that see minimal use of any sort today. The riding is slow, and hike-a-bike is frequent, but near Nucla, the trail suddenly improves as it enters a local singletrack network! Nucla is just a short spin off route and offers restaurants and a general store. Leaving Nucla, the Paradox Trail ascends to the Uncompahgre Plateau. The climb early on is quite demanding and rocky on 4×4 tracks, then transitions to a rough singletrack across Glencoe Bench (look out for black bears!), and eventually turns onto bladed gravel roads for the remainder of the climb.

Atop the Uncompahgre Plateau awaits the Tabeguache Trail, the final segment of the Grand Loop. The riding on the Tabeguache is notably less demanding than that of the Paradox. A few miles of singletrack lead to an ATV trail descent and the slow Roubidoux Mesa traverse, the toughest part of the Tabeguache that includes the crossing of ~10 drainages of increasing size. Flowing streams are often found in a few of the drainages, and the views are well worth the effort. Beyond Roubidoux, the trail climbs back up to the crest of the Uncompahgre on better roads, then follows the gravel Divide Road with sweeping vistas. A long rolling descent becomes progressively rockier as it drops into Unaweep Canyon before an equally rocky and challenging climb right back out of the canyon. The final miles of the Tabeguache roll through badlands and small canyons on 4×4 tracks before finally reaching the Lunch Loops singletrack system on the outskirts of Grand Junction.

The Grand Loop is very easy to underestimate. Mile-for-mile, the route has slightly more climbing than the Colorado Trail, the riding is incredibly taxing, water is scarce, the temperature extremes can be draining, and miles rarely come easily. But the bikepacking experience is unlike any other out there, and there’s a reason many of the riders who have ridden this route over the years have returned to ride it again.

What kind of bike is ideal for the Grand Loop? It’s a mountain bike route, and a rough one at that. Any mountain bike will do fine out there – it’s definitely not gravel bike country, and a fat bike is not necessary. Given the loose and rocky nature of many of the trails, knobby tires in the 2.4-2.8″ range will be appreciated, and use ample sealant in the tires (goathead thorns are common in some areas).

• Paved: 15%
• Smooth Gravel: 15%
• Rough Gravel: 20%
• 4×4 Road: 45%
• Singletrack: 5%

See the “Additional Route Information” section of the route website for more information on water, camping, public lands, safety considerations and more.

• This route is part of a collection of routes on the Backcountry-MTB website. Please see more details on the route webpage.
• Please find the route on Ride with GPS: The Grand Loop

Kurt Refsnider has compiled these resources for this route.

Kurt is Bikepacking Roots’ Routes Director and co-founder. He’s dedicated years to developing bikepacking routes and guides for other riders including the Western Wildlands Route, the Bears Ears Loops, the Northwoods Route, and many shorter routes. His passion is riding in wild, remote landscapes, and many of his route visions aim to help others experience places, connect to those landscapes, and recognize why the conservation of such places is so important.

These trails are stewarded by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Association and The West End Trails Alliance.

Please get in touch with any updates on route conditions that may be relevant to other riders.

Unfortunately, Kurt is not available to help folks with trip planning questions.

Please submit your questions and comments on the route to Kurt through the comment form below.

This route traverses the traditional lands of the Ute.