The Ribbon Mountain Biking Trail

The Ribbon Mountain Biking Trail

Part of the Lunch Loop trail system in Grand Junction, Colorado, The Ribbon mountain biking trail is unique, beautiful, and packed with fun!

Chris & Mac of Grey Otter Outventures

Chris & Mac

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Length:  4.3 miles
Trailhead(s):  The Ribbon Trailhead to Little Park Trailhead
Elevation Gain:  657’ Gain/1,765′ Loss
Trail Type:  Point to Point
Dogs:  Allowed
Difficulty:  Advanced
Permit Required?  No
Considerations:  Desert Riding, Virtually No Marks to Navigate Trail, Backcountry Riding
Season:  Year Round

Overview

The Ribbon mountain biking trail is not a long ride, but it is an experience you do not want to miss.  Massive expanses of slickrock, awesome views, and unique trail characteristics make this trail one you will not soon forget.

Riding The Ribbon Mountain Biking Trail

Starting at The Ribbon Trailhead, you head down The Ribbon mountain biking trail to Andy’s Loop to Gunny Loop to Gunny Access (double track) and end at the Little Park Trailhead.  The Ribbon mountain biking trail is only 2.9 miles in length, but to do the entire ride you will add another 1.4 miles getting from the end of The Ribbon to the Little Park Trailhead.

On The Ribbon, be careful when you start the first giant slab of slickrock.  There are no trail marks and the slickrock has numerous edges you do not want to plummet off.  Beyond this, there are only a couple of spots that are sketchy – those being the Toilet Bowl and Hospital Hill.

The Toilet Bowl is a red slickrock feature at the end of the first massive slab of white slickrock.  Hospital Hill is a very gnarly drop down right at the end of The Ribbon.  Take your time on these features and make sure you are up for the challenge before dropping in.  

After Hospital Hill (believe me, you will know it when you see it) The Ribbon ends and you reach Andy’s Loop.  Andy’s Loop heading to Gunny Loop is a rigorous technical climb to a road you will cross to pick up Gunny Loop.  From there, it is a quick ride to the Little Park Trailhead via the Gunny Access double track.

Note:  Although this ride is detailed as a shuttle, you can park at the Little Park Trailhead and ride the road up to The Ribbon Trailhead to create a loop.  You can also keep riding after you are done and pick-up any number of trails in the Lunch Loop trail system.

Concluding Thoughts About The Ribbon Mountain Biking Trail

The Ribbon is an amazing trail with drastic changes in scenery as you descend.  There is a good amount of sand, but nothing unmanageable and the penalty is certainly worth the effort.  If you love to mountain bike on all types of terrain, you are going to love The Ribbon mountain biking trail.  Ride on!

Scroll down to learn about the GEAR WE USE and OTHER OUTVENTURES in this area.

Additional Information (Click below to follow links.)

Trailforks Interactive Trail Map:

on Trailforks.com

The Ribbon Slideshow

(Click image to expand.)

Gear We Use for Mountain Biking

To see descriptions of the gear Chris & Mac use for mountain biking, as well as links to manufacturers and retailers offering the gear for sale, please CLICK HERE.

Devils Garden, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah

Articles About Other Regional Outventures

Click below to learn about other regional outventures in this area.

SAFETY DISCLAIMER:  The activities discussed in this website are outdoor activities and, as such, have inherent risks to which participants are exposed.  It is not the intent of this website, nor is it possible due to the variability of weather, terrain, equipment, and experience, to detail all of those risks.  The information contained in this site is informational, but not instructive nor exhaustive.  It is the sole responsibility of the user to ensure he/she is in good health, fully prepared, and fully informed as to dangers before undertaking any of the activities discussed in this website and the user does so at his/her own risk.  The user understands that by using this website he/she acknowledges and accepts all risks associated with use of information from this website and participation in any particular activity addressed herein.  Please see “Terms of Use” for additional information.

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