Paradox Trail
| Paradox Trail | |
|---|---|
| Length | 110 miles |
| Location | Colorado |
| Trailheads |
Kokopelli Trail, Colorado; Tabeguache Trail, Colorado |
| Use | Mountain Biking |
| Elevation | |
| Elevation change | 9,500 - 4,800 ft. |
| Highest point | Uncompahgre Plateau, 9,500 ft (2,900 m) |
| Lowest point | Dolores River 4,800 ft (1,500 m) |
| Hiking details | |
| Trail difficulty | Strenuous |
| Season | All year |
The Paradox Trail is located in western Colorado and travels a route of over 100 miles (160 km) through various terrain. The trail was rerouted due to a trespass issue near the Tabeguache area. The trail links with two other trails in the region, the Tabeguache Trail to the east on the Uncompahgre Plateau and the Kokopelli Trail to the west in the La Sal Mountains of Utah. These three trails together make the "Grand Loop" which is 360 miles (580 km) in total.[1]
History
The 110-mile (180 km) trail was established in 1995 by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association and worked with Montrose West Recreation, and the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.[1] A grant of $25,000 was received by the Montrose West Recreation and an additional $10,000 was also sent by the BLM to help fund the project. Singletrack Trails, Inc. was hired to complete the work for the trail.[2]
Route description
Most of the trail is a two-track path that ranges from altitudes of 9,500 feet (2,900 m) on the Uncompahgre Plateau to the lower elevations of 4,800 ft (1,500 m) along the Dolores River. Some areas qualify as single track because of the trail width and there are a least five “hike-a-bike” sections to be negotiated. While there are trail sections that utilize some seasonally graded county roads, much of the Paradox Trail is inaccessible to motorized vehicles although vehicle access points exist at many places. Wildlife such as elk, mountain lions, coyotes and rattlesnakes abound throughout the trail.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "Paradox Trail". ParadoxTrail.org. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ↑ "Paradox Trail Project". sparroweco.com. 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
