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I am sure this has been covered but I am a search idiot apparently. We are planning on hitting Fruita (the Colorado one) this weekend for some biking, hiking and most likely crawling our way through a few breweries. Anybody have some killer spots near town where we could set up camp?
18 road is where all the camping and trails are. Ride loops from your campsite. There's also camping at Rabbit Valley down the highway a ways.
The state park with the lake takes reservations. 18 road is first come first served, but that's where the riding is.
That's Highline SP. Coin operated showers, but crowded on weekends. Make an online reservation.
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Highline is a State Park which means no beer over 3.2% abv. Obscure rule that they don't really tell anyone till they bust you. I know it sounds weird, but some friends didn't know and had all their booze dumped because they were outside making cocktails. They were fully stocked for a trip to Moab so it was a lot of booze. I'm sure if you keep it under wraps it wouldn't be a big deal, but sucks if they bust ya.
We always just stay at 18 rd. Sucks if it's windy, very little cover and super dusty. Town is a 15 minute drive.
Edit to add: There are pay sites at 18rd and primitive sites. Pay sites have some trees, and bathrooms. Primitive sites require a fire pan and you can walk 100 yds to the pit toilet at the main parking lot. We usually stay in the primitive sites.
James M Robb also offers a few pay campgrounds in the area that might be worth checking out. On the river and close to town. They fill up fast though.
Kanah Creek has a tasting room/restaurant in Fruita that is pretty good. Copper Club is decent too in downtown. Suds Brothers could be skipped. Hot Tomato is great for pizza/beer.
Last recommendation: Don't just ride 18 rd. You gotta take a trip to the lunch loops in GJ and Loma trails. You'll get spoiled by the buff at 18 rd.
The contrast is nice between 18 road and the lunch loops. Some of the smoothest trails around compared to some of the most ledge-y and technical. Gotta love the riding out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by shredgnar
Seriously helpful info, thanks everyone for chiming in. 3.2 beer only in the state park? Hell that might be more fucked up than Utah laws.
Like stated above, no worries usually unless you're recreating scenes from Cocktail.
I just primitive camp on 18rd by the lower trailheads plenty of spots on weekdays.
Don't camp at James M Robb unless it's your only option. It is right by the river but also right by I-70. I have heard Highline is nice, not been there. Rabbit Valley out by the state line has a handful of sweet primitive sites, but it's a bit of a drive to trails (other than the trails out there, which isn't much except Western Rim) and a bit of a drive to the sites themselves (which kind of sucks if they're all taken). I can dig up the info if you're having trouble finding it.
A big consideration is when you're going. Weekdays, no sweat. Weekends in Sep/Oct, totally different story.
Cool thanks, and yea headed there this weekend, so i am sure it will be tough to find a spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno
I am hoping if i get there around 3 on Friday after I can find something.
There are plenty of roads that access NF/BLM that have pullouts for camping, but maybe not riding distance to the TH. I've always had good luck, but it's been a while since I visited Fruita.
You should be fine in 18 rd primitive cg arriving at 3. Look for the road on the right before you get to the day parking area. Goes into a little valley. Drive up to the end to be closer to the shitter and the trails.Quote:
Originally Posted by teleee
i'd skip the breweries this weekend and head to winefest in palisade on saturday.
Favorite trails
18 road.
Zippy do dah, Chutes and ladders and the pump track down the gully.
Grand Junction must do the lunch loops.
Kokopelli TH. Connect Mary's loop with Horsethief or More Fun.
Cheers
CAT
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May as well stop by the recreational dispensary up in De Beque, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by BRUTAH
People actually like chutes and ladders? Odd...My go to if I have a day at 18 road is Zippity, up prime cut, down Joes to mojoe's, up road, down kessel run, up prime cut, down PBR. Chutes and ladders is fun if you want to ride everything, definitely punchy. Western Zippity is OK, but would be my one to skip if you had to skip one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by F#*k You Cat
Ugh. Fuck. That. It's a evil necessity to get to the outer eastern section, which is a great spot for a sunsetter ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phall
Exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by My Pet Powder Goat
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I prefer it from the top of Joe's, couple two tree beers, a skinsuit, and then chase light down the ridge. BUT I will try that out next time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by F#*k You Cat
Chutes and Ladders is about as much fun as Moore Fun.
Fuck that trail.Quote:
Originally Posted by smmokan
Anyone know if there is any (rv trailer) camping closer to the Lunch loops than Fruita?
Going down it is way moore fun than going upQuote:
Originally Posted by zion zig zag
What the hell do you guys have against Moore Fun? That's one of the best trails at Loma... :confused:
I don't know a single person that I've talked to in real life that likes that trail. Only people on the internet who want to seem tough.
Good thread here. Getting to Fruita this afternoon and camping. Maybe spending 2 nights.
Specific 18 road trails for my super noob GF?
No cover at all camping at 18 road? Next closest option?
Thanks
Noob girlfriend would probably not enjoy zippety or joe's if she doesn't feel confident with a little exposure. Kessel Run is probably the most beginner-friendly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian
Start out with a ride up Prime cut or the road, and down PBR. There is no way that anyone dislikes that trail as a warmup. If she's feeling good after that, ride Joe's but turn off before Mo-Joe's. Also Kessel is good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian
For a little shade maybe head up into the canyon just west of 18rd. Never done it but I've seen some sites up in there that look ok. Not as close to riding though, unless you want ride the Edge loop but that ride kinda sucks Sarlac is supposed to be cool though. With a capable vehicle you could get on top of the mesa and camp.
Word. Driving a wagon on low profile wheels. Already beat the crap out of it driving back roads in NM.
I like Moore Fun, but then again, I don't like 18 road trails (boring), so I'm definitely in the minority.Quote:
Originally Posted by smmokan
Too core for ColoRADo
18 Road was fun. Wayyy buff, but that was a nice change of pace.
Got the GF on Kessel in the afternoon yesterday. Considering she hasn't really ridden a bike in 15 years let alone any actual trails she did pretty good.
I did zippity, joes, mojoes, and PBR this morning. Smoother than the greens on bike parks in NJ and PA lol. Would definitely ride again though. Nice not riding rock gardens for hours and hours sometimes.
Have her shuttle you for the Ribbon trail.
what he said. Ribbon to Free lunch to lemon squeezer to ravens ridge down.
It's actually more fun than Moore Fun, which isn't saying much.Quote:
Originally Posted by smmokan
Bump.
Long shot: Wondering if anyone might have a campsite in Fruita reserved this weekend that they’re not going to use.
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You may already know this, but there are a bunch of spots that open for reservation 4 days in advance. Looks like there are still a few with Friday availability (Sat not released until tomorrow AM).
My man! Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by snowaddict91
Also some nice disbursed camp sites off coal gulch rd, past the cattle guard on the right (part of the edge loop). connects to the 18 rd network easily.