Mesa County Government issued the following announcement on Oct. 22.
Mesa County, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) reminds trail users that the first phase of the Palisade Plunge Trail is NOT open.
Mesa County Search and Rescue is working on emergency response access, such as clearings for helicopter landing zones, which must be complete for the safety of trail users and rescue personnel prior to opening the trail.
Another safety issue is that the weekend of Oct. 24 is the start of the second rifle hunting season in the highly used Whitewater Basin.
An official announcement will be made when phase 1 opens. In the meantime, all agencies request trail users to respect this closure to allow project partners to complete all measures required for safety.
Phase 1 of the Palisade Plunge Trail begins on Lands End Road in the Whitewater Basin, approximately three miles below the Lands End Observatory. It traverses over 17 miles from the Mesa forested slopes to the mouth of a classic desert canyon at Highway 6 and the Palisade Rim Trailhead. This section of the Palisade Plunge navigates remote, backcountry terrain with extreme exposure sections that require high levels of skill to ride. Less experienced riders can quickly get in a difficult position with no alternate routes except backtracking to Lands End Road. Once officially opened, trail enthusiasts are encouraged to carefully consider their experience, skills, and preparedness before taking “The Plunge.”
Upon completion of both phases, the Palisade Plunge Trail will be a unique, world-class mountain biking trail that descends 6,000 feet from the top of the Grand Mesa to the Grand Valley floor at the Town of Palisade. The 34-mile route will provide a unique backcountry mountain biking opportunity with nearly 32 miles of newly constructed singletrack. “The Plunge” will be a one-of-a-kind experience and a recreation destination for people from around the world.
Original source can be found here.
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