Silvery frost dusts the wild strawberries of predawn light at 10,700 feet, as the pine boughs creak in the breeze. Looking out over the dark ribbon of trail comprised of volcanic soil and weathered roots, it is hard to imagine that this trail, atop the "world’s largest flat-top mountain", ends at the banks of the Colorado River in a sweltering high desert over 30 miles and nearly 7,000 feet below.
The Palisade Plunge - a 32-mile point-to-point trail descends from the alpine forest of the Grand Mesa, passing through stands of pine, aspens, oak brush, pinyon, junipers and finally, the cottonwoods lining the Colorado River. The "Plunge" is a beautiful, unique, and exciting route regarded by many as an “adventure route”. It does not simply descend uninterrupted from the top of the Mesa to the Colorado River, it traverses, climbs, and descends all along the route.
The initial 12 miles - from Mesa Top Trailhead at 10,730 feet, beginning near the high point on the Grand Mesa just off Highway 65 - descends approximately 800 vertical feet as it takes riders through open parks carpeted in wildflowers and willows winding through dark stands of pine.
As the trail nears the edge of the Grand Mesa, it crosses Lands End Road and drops into the Shirttail Point trailhead at an elevation of 9,900ft. This segment of the Plunge, referred to as Otto’s Wall, is named after the environmental steward and explorer John Otto. In the early 1900’s John Otto blasted a trail into the cliffside. Since this section is listed on the National Register of Historic places, the builders of the Palisade Plunge were required to maintain the width and pitch of the original trail, making the switchbacks on this section extremely tight and steep. This short section is one of the most strenuous sections of the Plunge. It travels over and between massive boulders and sections of crushed stone. Short, punchy climbs add to the difficulty. Once the trail meets Lands End Road, there is a Plunge kiosk and a small area to take a break before the final drop.
This final segment takes riders from an elevation of just over 9,000 feet to the Colorado River over 4,000 vertical feet below. This final 16 miles of the Palisade Plunge is the most popular among riders who enjoy technical descents. It is also the first section to open in the late spring/early summer after the seasonal closure ends (December 1st through April 30th). After a short climb, the trail descends a series of swooping, machine-built switchbacks. The trail levels out briefly, weaving through large boulders before crossing Whitewater Creek, the only reliable water source before the trail’s end. This is the last opportunity to filter water, and stocking up here is strongly encouraged as the trail will soon descend into the desert below where temperatures can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The next seven miles traverse the flanks of the Grand Mesa, losing very little in the way of elevation, peppered with steep, short climbs. The end of these seven miles is highlighted by two slickrock play areas separated by a short descent where riders can see the town of Palisade in the valley below. Just after the slickrock area is a final kiosk, from this kiosk, there are just over five miles to the end of the single track and the Colorado River Below.
This final stretch descends nearly 3,000 feet as the trail switchbacks down a sandstone and scree covered ridge. There is a lot of exposure in the final miles and riders should gauge their own comfort with riding or walking. Along the way, there are many rock armored corners and chutes from here to the end as well as places where the trail weaves through large sandstone boulders. The Plunge briefly intersects the Palisade Rim trail before it makes its final descent through a dry wash area that changes from year to year depending on how much the monsoons alter this last section. The trail ends at Highway 24, along the Colorado River offering riders a chance to cool off before they head into Palisade for a well-earned meal and refreshments.
Know Before You Go:
• The entire 32 miles of the Palisade Plunge can take riders up to eight hours. Bring over 100 ounces of water and a reliable water filter, electrolytes, and plenty of food.
• The final 16 miles to Palisade has a single bailout, marked with numerous signs. Use the bailout if too fatigued or if you have run out of water.
• Make sure you are physically fit enough to safely finish this ride. Be prepared to walk, there are multiple areas of high consequence exposure and technical sections.
• Make sure your bike is mechanically sound and you have tools, spare tubes, and a pump.
• Wear shoes you can walk steep sections of trail in and prepare to get wet crossing Whitewater Creek.
• This ride can be done on anything from a hard tail to a 160mm travel bike and anything in between.
*Check the forecast and plan to start early in the day to avoid the afternoon heat at the end of the ride.
* You may encounter wildlife, including moose, elk, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, mule deer, lizards, and snakes.
(Keeping a safe distance and not harassing wildlife is not only smart, it's also the law.)
Silvery frost dusts the wild strawberries in the predawn light at 10,700 feet, as the pine boughs creak in the breeze.