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| Rustler's Loop
Peter Beers 8/28/2005 PedroGringo@yahoo.com |
This is a great ride for people who are new to mountain biking. The terrain is not technically challenging, and the 4-5 mile loop is just the right length to challenge someone who isn't used to spending all day on a bicycle. This is also a great trail for introducing yourself to Fruita Mountain Biking. The scenery is great, the trail is beautiful, and you'll probably meet some very nice people along the trail.
The ride starts with a short climb out of the parking lot. This is on a dirt road that leads to a homestead located inside this first ridge. Most of the trails at the east end of the Kokopelli Trail area start off this dirt road. As you can see from the photo above, the view is beautiful.
One of the first sites that you'll see on the Rustler's loop is this home that is built into the rock. The couple that owns this run a bicycle shop in Grand Junction. Ara and I met them in 2001 as we were starting our warm-up loop on Rustler's. They're a wonderful pair and their home is really something to look at.
The trail is a little more rocky than you'll find at Book Cliffs. There are a few deep sandy areas as well as a few short sections of slickrock.
One of the nice things about this trail is that it has signs along the way to teach people about proper riding technique, trail etiquette, and the natural environment of the area.
Though this ride is not technically difficult, it definitely makes a perfect warm-up for a ride that continues with a section of Mary's Loop, Horse Thief Bench, and then the rest of Mary's Loop.
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