Round Trip Distance: 1.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 5034 - 5340 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: North Fruita Desert
Fee: none
Attractions: Relative solitude
The Western Zippity trail is located in the North Fruita Desert Area, at the end of 18 Road, about 8 miles northwest of Grand Junction. The 1.7 mile trail which runs along the western boundary of the 18 Road Mountain Biking Area connects the Zip Off trail with the Frontside trail. In the 18 Road area the Western Zippity and the Prime Cut trails are the main routes for traveling from the North Fruita Desert trailhead to access the downhill only trails, Pumps Bumps and Rollers, Kessel Run, Joe's Ridge and Zippity Do Da. Prime Cut provides south to north access in the eastern trail area while Western Zippity does so to the west.
This post begins at the lower end of the Western Zippity trail and follows it up to the Frontside trail. The most direct route to this point from the North Fruita Desert trailhead is via the 0.7 mile Zippity trail and the 1.9 mile Zip Off trail making the total distance from the trailhead 2.6 miles.
The Western Zippity trail begins heading north along a well packed singletrack.
The trail maintains the same gradual uphill slope for its entire length with a little leveling here and there.
All total the trail has about 350 feet of elevation gain. With all the gain spread out over the entire length of the trail, it has an average grade of 4.
Dogs are permitted on the trail but if you didn't bring yours then one will be provided.
A rollover provides passage through a fence just past the half mile point.
The next mile of the trail varies very little.
At the 1.4 mile point the Western Zippity trail crosses V.7 Road.
As the trail gets nearer to the Little Book Cliffs there begin to be a few juniper trees along the route.
The upper section of the trail is a bit more scenic with the mountains providing a nice background.
