The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, the Bureau of Land Management, and Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association announced that the Palisade Plunge Trail is open for the season, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
The Palisade Plunge Trail is 32 miles long and features a 6,000-foot descent that can be used by mountain bikes and other nonmotorized recreational vehicles. The trail runs from the top of Grand Mesa into Palisade. Entrance points for the trail include Mesa Top Trailhead on Highway 65, Shirttail Point Trailhead, Wild Rose Picnic area, or the Palisade Plunge-Palisade Rim Trailhead, the release stated.
Trail users should be cautious of brushy, overgrown areas, loose rocks, erosion, downed trees, and water crossings, which may have high water flow.
GMUG crews are working to clear drainage structures, trees, and debris from the trail corridor. Conditions will continue to be surveyed, and the rest of the trail will be cleared as weather permits.
Shuttle companies have drop-off locations at Shirttail Point Trailhead. For information about the trail or the shuttle services, visit their website.
