Western CO to get new "Enchilada" style trail!

**smmokan** · 12-20-2017, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Dantheman

Heh, "only" 30 people.
Do you think they would implement a permit system?

30 people over two days and 50+ miles of riding? Considering they were bunched into a handful of groups, that's not much at all.

And yes, all (that I know of) shuttle companies need permits to operate. I imagine it would be similar with the new Palisade Plunge trail; my guess is they'd restrict shuttle trips for a while to see how things go in terms of traffic, etc.

Look at the Monarch Crest situation- Absolute Bikes (the main shuttle company in Salida) ran out of shuttle days in early September this year because so many folks were down there riding it between July-August.

**Shredhead** · 12-20-2017, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dantheman

I'd also be interested in hearing more details about the opposition from Wilderness.

Mostly just what I’ve read in the local paper.
I’m on my Mobil, in and out if airports for a few days. I’ll try to find something when I get back.

**Dantheman** · 12-20-2017, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by smmokan

30 people over two days and 50+ miles of riding? Considering they were bunched into a handful of groups, that's not much at all.

And yes, all (that I know of) shuttle companies need permits to operate. I imagine it would be similar with the new Palisade Plunge trail; my guess is they'd restrict shuttle trips for a while to see how things go in terms of traffic, etc.

Look at the Monarch Crest situation- Absolute Bikes (the main shuttle company in Salida) ran out of shuttle days in early September this year because so many folks were down there riding it between July-August.

Whoops, I glossed over the part about the 30 people being from two different rides.

Interesting about the Monarch limit. BLM certainly doesn't seem to cap shuttle days in Moab. IIRC, the Wasatch Crest shuttle companies only need a taxi license to operate with no USFS permit required or cap imposed (and there is one particularly shady dude openly operating unlicensed, people make "voluntary donations" after they get dropped off). I think that has something to do with them operating entirely on State roads.

**smmokan** · 12-20-2017, 12:23 PM

My understanding with Moab is that the shuttles actually DO have a “limit”, but it’s sky high and they never hit that ceiling. The reasoning is that if the shuttle companies are the ones “controlling” the number of riders heading up, it will eliminate the likelihood for illegal shuttles. In Moab’s case, it’s more due to road conditions and traffic vs the actual trail.

**grabtindy** · 12-20-2017, 01:04 PM

Sick, rumors of this one for a while including a supposed bandit trail currently in place. P.Rim is one of my favorite colorado rides, but turning it into an all day epic would take it to the next level.

**fastfred** · 12-21-2017, 08:21 AM

the last i read, the trail was on hold cause all the people who live where the trail will end in palisade were not down with a bunch of d-bag shuttlers parking and riding through their nieghborhood, they came out in force against the trail not sure if this is still the case or if the trail has been rerouted, that was about a year ago

**beaterdit** · 12-21-2017, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by fastfred

the last i read, the trail was on hold cause all the people who live where the trail will end in palisade were not down with a bunch of d-bag shuttlers parking and riding through their nieghborhood, they came out in force against the trail not sure if this is still the case or if the trail has been rerouted, that was about a year ago

If you have facebook you can check out the update on COPMOBA's page. Doesn't mention anything about that conflict and I haven't heard anything, but I'm not local myself. I don't doubt that locals are concerned though. There's been parking issues with the Palisade Rim trail and the old, small, unofficial parking spot has been posted. Also, on the the BLM page, the Palisade Plunge doesn't finish ON the Palisade Rim, it looks like it's down low on the east side of the lower drainage. All that said, the new parking lot on the river seems to be working out great. It's not that big either though.

**Telemarketeer** · 12-21-2017, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by beaterdit

If you have facebook you can check out the update on COPMOBA's page. Doesn't mention anything about that conflict and I haven't heard anything, but I'm not local myself. I don't doubt that locals are concerned though. There's been parking issues with the Palisade Rim trail and the old, small, unofficial parking spot has been posted. Also, on the the BLM page, the Palisade Plunge doesn't finish ON the Palisade Rim, it looks like it's down low on the east side of the lower drainage. All that said, the new parking lot on the river seems to be working out great. It's not that big either though.

Good to hear they are moving forward, I thought this was DOA a while back too. You are right, it doesn't have anything to do with the Rim trail, until the very end. That's pretty cool too. Leaves the option of a connector too maybe.

That parking lot by the river seems a little weird too. Times I've been there it has been inhabited by some shady characters. I'd rather just park at the brewery in town and ride there.

Looking forward to this trail for sure.

**beaterdit** · 12-21-2017, 06:39 PM

There are two connectors planned on the map.

You probably saw me in my van in the parking lot LOL.

**grabtindy** · 01-08-2018, 09:13 PM

I ran the KMZ file from the BLM impact study into an elevation profile generator. The file was borked so I had to stitch some segments together, but didn't distort any data significantly in the process. Long warm up before it turns downhill, but it looks like you could cut off a bunch of that meandering warmup by parking at the lower lot. I see maybe 2 miles of climbing out of 30+?

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**Shredhead** · 01-09-2018, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by smmokan

What’s the opposition? How long is the trail? I’ve heard about it, but haven’t seen much...

https://www.aspentimes.com/trending/...d-butte-trail/

**smmokan** · 01-09-2018, 08:32 AM

Thanks for that. Sounds like a lot of typical nimby stuff to me.

**jm2e** · 02-21-2018, 10:33 AM

We're headed to Moab in a couple weeks. Thinking the Palisade Rim loop looks like the best option to break up the drive. Any thoughts on snow in there? I've never ridden in Western CO.

**smmokan** · 02-21-2018, 10:56 AM

Palisade Rim is super fun. Post over in the Western Slope forum on MTBR to get an update on conditions.

**flatlander#2** · 02-21-2018, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by jm2e

We're headed to Moab in a couple weeks. Thinking the Palisade Rim loop looks like the best option to break up the drive. Any thoughts on snow in there? I've never ridden in Western CO.

From Palisade to the border there is so much great riding I have a hard time going further. Plus all them UT laws.

**skaredshtles** · 02-21-2018, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by jm2e

We're headed to Moab in a couple weeks. Thinking the Palisade Rim loop looks like the best option to break up the drive. Any thoughts on snow in there? I've never ridden in Western CO.

You'd do yourself a disservice not to ride Mary's/Horsethief/Moore Fun to break up the drive.

**skaredshtles** · 02-21-2018, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by flatlander#2

From Palisade to the border there is so much great riding I have a hard time going further. Plus all them UT laws.

While there is a lot of great riding out to the UT border, the riding in Moab is moar greaterer. YMMV.

**Name Redacted** · 02-21-2018, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by jm2e

We're headed to Moab in a couple weeks. Thinking the Palisade Rim loop looks like the best option to break up the drive. Any thoughts on snow in there? I've never ridden in Western CO.

Check with Over The Edge Sports. Looks like Palisade Rim is currently Closed. Here's a link:

http://otesports.com/locations/fruit...tions-weather/

That ride can be hell on earth if it is wet up top. Stickiest mud on the planet.

**jm2e** · 02-22-2018, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by flatlander#2

From Palisade to the border there is so much great riding I have a hard time going further. Plus all them UT laws.

Well, when my shredder wife wants to go to Moab to ride rowdy technical DH, I'm not going to dissuade her. Plus, we've got a couple old friends in Moab and a free place to stay. And shuttles. Did I mention how we don't love the ups?

Originally Posted by skaredshtles

You'd do yourself a disservice not to ride Mary's/Horsethief/Moore Fun to break up the drive.

Thanks for the input. Looks like promising options there. We'll probably be rolling in after noon, so might not have time for a big ride. Will see about timing and weather.

Originally Posted by shredgnar

Check with Over The Edge Sports. Looks like Palisade Rim is currently Closed. Here's a link:

http://otesports.com/locations/fruit...tions-weather/

That ride can be hell on earth if it is wet up top. Stickiest mud on the planet.

Thanks for the heads up, especially after this weekend. That store website is amazing. I'd buy shit from them just to support the community service. Will stalk.

**Name Redacted** · 02-22-2018, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by jm2e

Thanks for the heads up, especially after this weekend. That store website is amazing. I'd buy shit from them just to support the community service. Will stalk.

Yeah, that shop is definitely one of the better ones around.

**beaterdit** · 03-01-2018, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by grabtindy

I ran the KMZ file from the BLM impact study into an elevation profile generator. The file was borked so I had to stitch some segments together, but didn't distort any data significantly in the process. Long warm up before it turns downhill, but it looks like you could cut off a bunch of that meandering warmup by parking at the lower lot. I see maybe 2 miles of climbing out of 30+?

This looks awesome, can't wait!

Originally Posted by jm2e

We're headed to Moab in a couple weeks. Thinking the Palisade Rim loop looks like the best option to break up the drive. Any thoughts on snow in there? I've never ridden in Western CO.

Palisade is rad but holds moisture up high and as mentioned, the mud is bad. The Loma area is fun but more for Moore fun, Mack Ridge, and Troy built. Mary's Horsethief is pretty boring IMO, nice scenery though.

The real Gem of the area to me is the Grand Junction Lunch Loops system though. A lot of it dries out pretty quick and there's a ton of trails. Mostly all techy and fun too. If you've never ridden there, it's a must do.

**jm2e** · 03-03-2018, 12:17 AM

Didn't get to trailhead until mid afternoon, so time limits dictated our ride. Ended up doing Hawkeye Rd > Hawkeye Tr > Mack Ridge > Moore Fun. A bunch of mud slowed us on the Hawkeye climb, and a bit on the meandering parts of Mack Ridge, but everything else was clean. Good times in there.