Grand Junction, CO: Zippety Do Da | Mountain Biking in Colorado

Grand Junction, CO: Zippety Do Da

This 6.5-mile mountain bike loop features the best of the Bookcliffs trails: Zippety Do Da's steeps, the gnarly drop off Joe's Ridge, and Kessel Run's slalom course.

Author:	Backpacker Magazine
Date:	15 Apr 2008 2:36:48 PM
Activity:	Mountain Biking ActivitySearchMountainBiking
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	6.5 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 1336 ft Total Loss: 1334 ft Net Change: 2 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
USGS Topo Map:	Ruby Lee Reservoir
Tags:	Colorado, Fruita, Grand Junction
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Riding Zippety Do Da from the lower Bookcliffs Trailhead, mountain bikers can sample some of the most select singletrack stretches this trail system has to offer. Riding Zippety will test your legs and your resolve up-and-over very steep (and very exposed) mounds. Turn onto the Frontside Trail to duck and dodge through a line-finding maze of juniper and pinon. After the steep drop off Joe’s Ridge (which features a big-air rock ramp at the bottom), the trail dumps riders onto screaming-fast singletrack before turning off for a final banked slalom stretch on Kessel Run.

Mapped by the Backpacker Map Team

TO TRAILHEAD: From Cherry St. and Aspen Ave. in Fruita, head east on Aspen Ave. In .1 mile, turn left onto Maple St. (becomes 17½ Rd.). In 3.6 miles, turn right onto N 3/10 Rd. In .5 mile, turn left onto 18 Rd. (becomes gravel road). Go 7.1 miles to lower trailhead parking on the left.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Zippety Do Da

Dist: 6.50 mi	Points: 859	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Zippety Do Da

Points of Interest

ZIP001

Location: 39.310261°, -108.705818°
From the lower Bookcliffs parking lot, enter trail at the southwest end of the lot.

ZIP002

Location: 39.309574°, -108.709145°
Continue straight at 3-way junction at the bottom of a brief descent; cross cattle guard and continue straight.

ZIP003

Location: 39.308739°, -108.716385°
Right @ T-intersection onto Zippety Do Da. To ride a longer, clockwise route up Western Zippety (rejoins this ride at Waypoint 7), turn left here and then right at the double-track junction.

ZIP004

Location: 39.323742°, -108.714340°
At the bottom of a descent, cross jeep road and continue straight on Zippety Do Da. Keep an eye out for approaching cars.

ZIP005

Location: 39.325596°, -108.714890°
It takes a real champ to pedal up this steep and sandy pitch, and it takes a bit of guts (and a lot of weight behind the saddle) to descend this stretch. After a sandy washout near the top, the trail is grippy singletrack.

ZIP006

Location: 39.329311°, -108.714279°
At the crest of a moderately steep climb, the trail winds around an uber-exposed ledge. Keep your wits about you and keep pedaling around this off-camber corner.

ZIP007

Location: 39.335621°, -108.713867°
Turn right on Frontside Trail and enter a singletrack line-finding maze through juniper and pinon trees.

ZIP008

Location: 39.337643°, -108.703316°
Go right @ Y-junction onto Joe's Ridge Trail. Ride along the top of the ridge through a mix of exposed and juniper-covered singletrack to a steep two-tiered drop from the ridge. For a more moderate descent, continue straight on Joe's Ridge and turn right onto upper Kessel Run.

ZIP009

Location: 39.332256°, -108.705811°
At the top of Joe's Ridge, prepare for a steep, two-tiered descent on a mix of sandy and grippy singletrack. Keep your weight back, especially on the first drop. Soon after the terrain levels off, a ramp of rocks is set to launch you skyward. Keep your momentum up and your weight back to catch some big air.

ZIP010

Location: 39.323452°, -108.709030°
In the middle of a fast downhill stretch, the trail runs parallel to a jeep road; stay on trail.

ZIP011

Location: 39.322083°, -108.706650°
Cross jeep road and continue straight on Joe's Ridge on an extended section of fast, winding singletrack.

ZIP012

Location: 39.319717°, -108.705315°
Bear right @ 4-way junction to continue on lower Kessel Run. The ensuing stretch of singletrack is a whoop-de-doo roller coaster, complete with banked turns that seem to beg you for maximum cornering speed. If you don't have an adrenaline rush yet, you will soon.