Last weekend I finally made it to Fruita/Loma to ride on the Kokopelli trail and the trail loops in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. My ride followed the entire Mack Ridge and back along the canyon above the Colorado River. I started at the Lion's Loop trail head parking area, as suggested by a nice guy working at Over the Edge Sports in Fruita, starting with the most difficult trail Moore Fun while your fresh. Great suggestion because it was a no joke mtn bike trail with lots of hike-a-bike. I was riding solo and had a long day in front of me, I didn't need to fall and tune my bean so I was riding pretty conservative. The first loop was Rustlers, easy kid stuff, but beautiful scenery all the same. Mary's Loop to Horsethief Bench. Horsethief Bench was hands down my favorite loop out there right from the get-go. A huge boulder wall you must climb down with your bike on your back gets you to the start of the trail, then it's spectacular single track with just the right amount of challenging obstacles for a fast pace, Oh it was on! Mary's Loop to Steve's Loop, another spectacular loop. Lions Loop to Troy Built Loop. Up a wall with over 20 percent grades they call Lions Loop to Mack Ridge. Mack Ridge back the Lion's Loop trail head parking area. I rode it on my Gary Fisher 9er hardtail and it was perfect, I can't wait to go back. I camped at the Highline Lake State Park in Loma, do yourself a favor and stay there if you're camping, it's complete with showers and trees...
Distance, 31.5 miles
Elevation Gain, 3,819
Ride Time, 4:50
Elapsed Time, 6:23 with breaks, lunch, and a lot of photos
On Moore Fun, looking back on Mack Ridge, the
Lions Loop trail head parking area is in that draw.
Moore Fun looking East.
Steve's Loop, yes I'm on the trail.
Raft's on the Colorado River.
On top of Mack Ridge looking down on Steve's Loop.
On Mack Ridge looking East as the sun was going down, the ridge on the left is Moore Fun.
Timed that about right...
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