Weekend Adventures: Mountain Biking in Fruita

Sizzling singletrack and daring doubletrack trails that will start your season in style

By Chris Weiss

The spring is just beginning to fully blossom and the weather is getting warmer. Unfortunately, given the late burst of winter we experienced here in Colorado this year, much of the beautiful mountain recreation that we enjoy during the spring months will be put on hold due to gratuitous amounts of leftover snow and mud. Sports like hiking and mountain biking may still be another month or two away.

Single track along Mary's Loop, Courtesy of Chris Weiss

Luckily, the natural diversity that we experience here in the beautiful state of Colorado offers the perfect solution for mud-season blues: the desert, where you’ll find even warmer weather and dry trails with incredible scenery. Quite easy to access right off of Interstate 70, Fruita is one of the self-proclaimed “Mountain Biking Capitals of the World.” A few rides down the purposefully crafted, winding singletrack, cliffside-teasing doubletrack and hair-raising descents will reveal that this designation is far more than mere hyperbole. Spring is the perfect time to visit, as you’ll experience warm but moderate temperatures and dry trail conditions not yet found in alpine locales. Here’s a guide to the perfect weekend in Fruita.

Day 1: Warm Up
Since it’s probably been a while since you last set foot onto a trail, spend your first day jogging the muscle memory in the Kokopelli area, one of several Fruita trail areas. You’ll find it just a few minutes west of Fruita proper off the Loma exit of I-70. Cross over the Interstate and follow signs to the Kokopelli trailhead, which is just minutes from the exit. Mary’s Loop, an 8-plus mile stretch of the greater Kokopelli Trail (a 142-mile behemoth connecting mountain bike meccas Fruita and Moab), is the quintessential trail for this area, with gorgeous single and doubletrack that you couldn’t have drawn better. There is little climbing and you’ll encounter some fun obstacles and drops but nothing that should end your season before it has hardly begun. The views here are as much a draw as the mountain biking so be sure to take some time to appreciate the soaring rock and swooping canyons.

If you feel like more of a challenge or have some extra daylight to burn, there are plenty of other loops right off of Mary’s for all skill sets. Moore Fun is a technical option for experienced riders, while Horsethief Bench is a moderate loop that bombs down into the canyon, taking you on an extended scenic loop. The initial descent of Horsethief should be walked by the less experienced, as it’s steep and technical. The Kokopelli area can provide as long or short a ride as you desire.

Eat
Fruita itself is a relatively small, quiet town with limited restaurants. A better option is to go to Grand Junction, which has a much healthier selection of restaurants. WW Peppers is a good local option that offers delectable steaks and seafood as well as Mexican/Southwestern-style cuisine. The Breckenridge Brewery Ale House is another option to tackle your hearty, after-bike hunger head on. You certainly can’t beat an Avalanche Ale after a long day on the trail. Plenty of other options for all tastes abound as well.

Courtesy of Two Rivers Winery and Chateau

Overnight
If you’re looking to go rustic, you can camp in a number of locations around Fruita. Your best option would be to make use of the designated campsites at the base of the Book Cliffs at 18 Road. This way you’ll be in the perfect position to rise and ride, thereby beating the morning commuter crowds. Be sure to bring your own firewood, as taking driftwood from the desert there is prohibited.

For a more luxurious, relaxing option, consider staying at the Two Rivers Winery and Chateau. Though you’ll be in Grand Junction, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the French countryside. Wash down a day of mountain biking with a Colorado homegrown Cabernet or Merlot while enjoying spectacular views of Colorado National Monument, Bookcliff Mountain Range and Grand Mesa. Then retire to a cozy, intimate room for a restful night of sleep. Choose from a selection of suites and rooms that come complete with breakfast.

If you’d rather opt for the basic conveniences of a simple hotel, Fruita has no shortage of inexpensive chains such as Quality Inn and La Quinta, and Grand Junction offers even more—great for a shower and a solid night of sleep. Many of these hotels are close to I-70, making the commute to and from trails quite easy.

Day 2: The Big Show
Day two of your Fruita adventure is the perfect time to explore 18 Road, another prominent Fruita trail system. Pack plenty of water and get an early start to beat the blazing midday sun. Then set tire on the Edge Loop, a 30-mile trail classified as an “Epic” by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. This one is a must ride for any mountain biker. You’ll be met with grueling climbs and fast singletrack descents. You’ll also be met with a rappel down a 30-foot, dried waterfall. Ropes are in place to help you down, but be sure that they’re in good condition.

If it’s still too early in the season for such an excursion, 18 Road has plenty of shorter classics fraught with tight, sinuous singletrack. Check out some favorites such as Chutes and Ladders and Zippity Doo Dah.

Events
Though the Fruita Fat Tire Festival took place last month, you can still check out plenty of mountain bike action with the 18 Hours of Fruita mountain bike race. The race begins at midnight on Saturday, May 1, at Highline State Park. Also in May, the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival (May 15 and 16), a vibrant Fruita classic, celebrates all things poultry with a car show, chicken dance contest, market and plenty of activities.

Courtesy of Two Rivers Winery and Chateau

Tips
Bring a Fruita mountain biking guidebook with you, such as the Fruita Fat Tire Guide, or stop by Over the Edge Sports for trail info and directions from the pros who built the trail system. There is little information at the visitor’s center, and trails, though marked, can be misleading and easy to lose. Also pack the right mountain bike repair tools and plenty of water to ensure your safety out in the desert. Some dirt road driving is required to access many of Fruita’s trails, so be sure you have the right vehicle.