Round Trip Distance: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4477 - 4550 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Snooks Bottom
Fee: none
Attractions: Partially wheelchair accessible, fishing, wildlife
Snooks Bottom is located in the Fruita Day Use Area next to the Colorado River south of Fruita. To access the Fruita Day Use Area turn west off of Highway 340, south of Fruita, on the Kingsview Road and follow it for about a half mile to the end of the pavement. Turn right on the well graveled entrance road and follow it to the parking area.
The Snooks Bottom trail is a popular destination for area residents looking for a place to take a short stroll or walk their dogs. The trail descends the hill from the parking area and follows around the pond to complete a loop. The trail on the Opal Hill side of the water is a little more rugged and is probably best avoided when it is muddy.
The first quarter mile of the trail is paved making it accessible for wheelchairs. There is also a fishing pier along the paved portion that is wheelchair accessible.
The super sized portable toilet is also wheelchair accessible.
A rope swing hanging from a large cottonwood tree next to a section of backwater off the Colorado river brings back youthful memories of hot summer days.
The trees and shrubs along the north side of the pond provide plenty of shade and seclusion. There aren't any picnic tables at present but the city has placed metal benches along the banks. I read that the City of Fruita is limited on the development of the area and what improvements they are allowed to make. In the springtime eagles can sometimes be spotted nesting in the trees.
If you like fishing the pond at Snooks Bottom has both large and small mouth bass along with some perch and trout. Unfortunately after the river flooded into the pond there may now be some catfish mixed into the assortment.
The trail continues around to the south side of the pond where there are still places to easily approach the water and fish. At present there aren't any benches or other improvements of any kind in this area.
If you would like to do a little more hiking there are several connector trails that will take you over to Opal Hill. The tract of land to the east of Opal Hill is the location of the new Fruita Disc Golf Course.
Snooks Bottom is a popular year round hike for people in the area. A lot of folks like to bring their dogs here for their daily walk and in the hot summer months they get to take advantage of the water to take a swim and cool off. The City of Fruita has considered building a pedestrian bridge across the Colorado River that would connect Snooks Bottom to the state park. Maybe they will get some Lotto money one of these days to help them accomplish the task. If you would like to see Snooks Bottom for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.
