32 Miles of Downhill, Singletrack Bliss
Plunge from the top of the Grand Mesa National Forest 32 miles through breathtaking back-country trails and challenging terrain. The Palisade Plunge connects the top of the Grand Mesa to the valley floor and the town of Palisade, Colorado. Descend over 5000’ feet in elevation on the fast, fun, high-energy trail through untravelled public lands and unbelievable scenery. This trail is guaranteed to keep your endorphins pumping all the way into the Town of Palisade. There are few trails in the country that contain this amount of vertical descent.
All Types of Terrain in One Singletrack Adventure
From forest, to meadows, to streams and desert, this ride will keep bikers on the edge of their seats with new challenges at every turn. Conquer the mesa as you pass through land that is historically unused, exploring a variety of terrain from alpine zones, to high desert environments. Travel through rock spires, volcanic rock fields, aspen groves, and stunning vistas encompassing the Grand Valley, the Bookcliff Range, the Colorado National Monument, and Unaweep Canyon. Descend past Coal Creek, Shirttail Point, Lands End, Whitewater, and Watson Creek. Cross the Colorado River for the last mile of paved riding and finish in Downtown Palisade, Colorado, where you can relax and enjoy a variety of farm-to-table food, craft brews, spirits and award-winning Colorado wines.
Map of The Palisade Plunge
What Is the Palisade Plunge?
The Palisade Plunge is a long-distance mountain bike trail that runs from the top of the Grand Mesa to the town of Palisade, CO, over 33 miles and 5,000' below the trailhead.
The first 11.8 miles of the Palisade Plunge run from the Mesa Top Trailhead to the Shirttail Point parking lot. This section journeys through forest, open meadows, and along the edge of reservoirs as it meanders across the flat and rolling terrain of the Grand Mesa.
This initial section of trail can be linked to Powderhorn Mountain Resort through the Deep Creek, Rim View, and West Bench trails, which we are affectionately calling The Plunge to Powderhorn. The Plunge to Powderhorn offers the perfect introduction to the Palisade Plunge, with a fun, intermediate, and less demanding 17 mile ride that links you directly to the Powderhorn Bike Park downhill trails. Learn more about The Plunge to Powderhorn here.
After Shirttail Point, riders begin the difficult descent into backcountry terrain as the trail begins the steep and winding descent off the rim of the Grand Mesa. Historic trails, wild terrain, remote vistas, and challenging trail sections define this portion of the Palisade Plunge. From Shirttail Point on, the trail is not recommended for beginner riders due to segments with extreme exposure that require a high level of skill to ride.
There is no trail quite like the Palisade Plunge anywhere in the country. Click below to learn more about our Plunge Shuttle and Bike Rentals, and come see the Plunge for yourself!
The first 11.8 miles of the Palisade Plunge run from the Mesa Top Trailhead to the Shirttail Point parking lot. This section journeys through forest, open meadows, and along the edge of reservoirs as it meanders across the flat and rolling terrain of the Grand Mesa.
This initial section of trail can be linked to Powderhorn Mountain Resort through the Deep Creek, Rim View, and West Bench trails, which we are affectionately calling The Plunge to Powderhorn. The Plunge to Powderhorn offers the perfect introduction to the Palisade Plunge, with a fun, intermediate, and less demanding 17 mile ride that links you directly to the Powderhorn Bike Park downhill trails. Learn more about The Plunge to Powderhorn here.
After Shirttail Point, riders begin the difficult descent into backcountry terrain as the trail begins the steep and winding descent off the rim of the Grand Mesa. Historic trails, wild terrain, remote vistas, and challenging trail sections define this portion of the Palisade Plunge. From Shirttail Point on, the trail is not recommended for beginner riders due to segments with extreme exposure that require a high level of skill to ride.
There is no trail quite like the Palisade Plunge anywhere in the country. Click below to learn more about our Plunge Shuttle and Bike Rentals, and come see the Plunge for yourself!
In The News: The Palisade Plunge
Men's Journal - One of the Best New U.S. Mountain Biking Destinations
"Set between Grand Junction and the Grand Mesa National Forest on Colorado’s Western Slope, the small town of Palisade is more famous for its peaches and wine than its biking. But that’s set to change this summer when the much-hyped Palisade Plunge debuts. Nearly 10 years in the making and a $3.2 million investment, it’s being billed as the longest singletrack downhill mountain bike trail in the U.S. starting at the top of Colorado’s Grand Mesa and descending 32 miles and 6,000 feet down to town..."
Outside Magazine - 9 New U.S. Trails You Should Try This Year
"One of the more anticipated new mountain-bike trails of the year, the 32-mile Palisade Plunge is primed to be one of the longest such singletrack downhill trails in the country when it’s finished in the summer of 2021. From the top of western Colorado’s Grand Mesa (elevation 10,719 feet), the route descends around 6,000 feet through lava fields and aspen forests to the town of Palisade."
Forbes - Colorado's New 'Palisade Plunge': A 32-Mile Biking And Hiking Trail With A 6,000 - Foot Decent
"...the Palisade Plunge is the country’s newest long-distance downhill mixed-use trail – and it’s not for the faint of heart. Though most of the single-track trail curves gently through the woods, across rock gardens, through stunning washes and dry river beds, and around impressive rock features, the last six miles will test a rider’s mettle, built very literally on the edge of Colorado’s several thousand-foot-tall mesa cliffs."
