Grand Junction, CO: The Ribbon

Grand Junction, CO: The Ribbon

This 7-mile out-and-back rolls through a creek wash on the way up to a moon-like strand of slickrock--prepare for a grinding climb and a brake-sizzling descent.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	15 Apr 2008 5:17:23 PM
Activity:	Mountain Biking ActivitySearchMountainBiking
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	3.58 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 1700 ft Total Loss: 606 ft Net Change: 1095 ft
Difficulty:	8 / 10
Tags:	Colorado, Grand Junction
Rating:	2 rating(s) Rate it

From the trailhead parking, turn right on Little Park Road and descend 0.2 mile to an unmarked trail entrance. The first stretch of trail is highly technical: skilled mountain bikers will have a blast, but even the most expert riders may have to walk some of the steep boulder drop-offs.

At the bottom of this descent, the trail turns left to wander alongside (and over) a creek wash on its way to a slickrock climb through piñion and juniper trees. After a short hike-a-bike section, the trail dumps out onto The Ribbon, a 1.5-mile slickrock ascent that affords expansive views of Grand Valley and the Book Cliffs, not to mention a once-in-a-lifetime bomber descent on the return trip.

-Mapped by the Bicycling Map Team

TO TRAILHEAD: Head west on CO 340; turn left on Monument Rd. (just outside of town). In 0.2 mile, turn left on D Rd. In 0.3 mile, continue right on Rosevale Rd. In 0.9 mile, turn right on Little Park Rd. Go 3.1 miles to parking on the left. Note: The trailhead is 0.2 mile back down Little Park Rd. (on left).

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 3.58 mi	Points: 192	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

Twisty Descent

Location: 39.017783°, -108.613887°
Descending down towards the wash

Trail Parking

Location: 39.018017°, -108.609853°
From the parking lot you can see The Ribbon, but to get there, head north along Little Park Road for .2 mile to an unmarked trail entrance on the left side of the road.

Into the Wash

Location: 39.015417°, -108.613812°
Descending back down towards the wash on the return trip

Trail Entrance

Location: 39.020918°, -108.609123°
Turn left off the road onto a small unmarked singletrack and head west down into the wash. On this stretch the trail is rocky with steep dropoffs. The terrain on this stretch is suited to expert mountain bikers, but at times even the most-skilled riders would be well-advised to walk their bikes.

Trail Junction

Location: 39.019117°, -108.614831°
Turn left @ this signed T-junction and follow the trail as it winds alongside and criss-crosses the wash on its approach to The Ribbon. Optional: Turning right will take you down the Andy Trail, a technical singletrack on which skilled mountain bikers hone their skills.

Leaving the wash

Location: 39.014616°, -108.614531°
Riding up the slickrock approach to The Ribbon

Leaving the wash

Location: 39.014316°, -108.614874°
After dropping down rock steps at the end of the wash, you'll begin a long series of climbs on narrow singletrack, slickrock, and crumbling redrock. This stretch includes a grinding, technical climb for mountain bikers (and a ripping descent on the way back--keep an eye out for hikers!).

Leaving the wash

Location: 39.014116°, -108.615003°
Out of the wash, onto the steps

End of Slickrock Ramp

Location: 39.006346°, -108.624165°
Usually marked with a dead log, the trail veers sharply to the left and climbs uphill; navigate a short and technical switchback descent over loose rocks.

The Ribbon Begins

Location: 39.005912°, -108.623500°
The beginning of The Ribbon

The Ribbon Begins

Location: 39.005545°, -108.623371°
Settle in for a long, slow 1.5-mile ascent of the The Ribbon (this exposed slab of slickrock is visible from the trailhead). The climb is a grind, but the descent is well worth it.

Granny Gear

Location: 39.002044°, -108.628864°
Grinding the granny gear mid-way up The Ribbon

Singletrack Segway

Location: 39.001677°, -108.629208°
At the top left of this first section of The Ribbon (yes, there's more), a sandy singletrack continues southwest.

Red Rock

Location: 39.000076°, -108.634186°
Before entering the final slickrock section of The Ribbon, navigate up and over a swirling sandstone red rock. You may have to dismount on both the ascent and descent.

Roaming on The Ribbon

Location: 38.999109°, -108.636031°
Take your time near the top of The Ribbon and soak up the expansive views across Grand Valley to the Book Cliffs and beyond.

Riding on the Edge

Location: 38.999209°, -108.637362°
Get a taste of high exposure by riding along The Ribbon's edge

Top of The Ribbon

Location: 38.997324°, -108.640537°
At the top of The Ribbon, several trails lead down to the upper trailhead. If you're ready for the descent, this is a good place to turn around and let it rip.

Upper Lot

Location: 38.994773°, -108.642447°
There are two options from the upper lot: Turn left on Little Park Road and follow it back to the trailhead, or turn around and retrace your route on a bomber descent down The Ribbon.