LOCATION: 15 miles west of Grand Junction LENGTH OF TRAIL: 9.3 miles TECHNICAL LEVEL: Moderate APPROXIMATE TIME TO COMPLETE: Depending on skill and physical condition 1 to 3 hours SEASON: March - November FACILITIES: None DRINKING/STREAM WATER: None available. Plan to pack in 1 gallon per person, per day. DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD: Take I-70 to the Loma Exit (Exit #15). Cross over the interstate to the south. At the access road turn right, heading towards the weigh station. Just short of the weigh station, turn left and follow the gravel road for about .5 mile until you come to the parking area. RIDING THE LOOP: Across from the parking area there is a fork off the frontage road, take the one on the left, that curves back up the hill. At the bottom of the hill turn right on to a narrower dirt road. Stay left on the larger road at mile 0.2. Continuing on to mile 1.5 you will come to a nice look-out point, overlooking the Colorado River (Horsethief Canyon). At mile 1.6, just ahead is the trailhead for the Horsethief Bench Loop, a southerly spur off Kokopelli's/Mary's Loop. At mile 1.9 there will be a branch coming from the right, do not take it but stay straight, along the rim. At mile 2.7, please sign the register. As you proceed the trail turns to single track. Be extremely careful because the trail is immediately next to a cliff in this section. At mile 3.1 a fence line intersects the canyon rim, either use the steps to cross the fence or leave the gate as you found it. Around mile 3.4 views of the Colorado River are exceptional. Looking off south to southeast, the mouth of Rattlesnake Canyon becomes more visible. At mile 4 the single track turns to double track again. Within 50 yards of this point there's a spur to the left. Stay right. At this point you'll leave the river and head back in northerly direction towards the Mack Ridge. At mile 4.9 there's a spur to the left (this is Steve's Loop) Stay right to continue on Mary's Loop. At mile 5.1 you'll reach a major intersection. Here, to proceed on to Mary's Loop, go right. To continue on the Kokopelli's Trail go left, which is also Lions Loop. At mile 5.4 there's a spur to the right. stay left and climb up over the ridge and across the cattle guard. At mile 5.7 you return to the frontage road. To continue on Mary's Loop, go right (east) and follow the frontage road 2.1 miles back to parking lot/trailhead. CAUTION: When wet, all unpaved roads and trail segments become impassable to both mountain bikes and motorized vehicles. Please avoid using this area when trails are muddy. |