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LIONS/TROY BUILT LOOP
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COMMENTS: Impassable when wet! This trail was scouted, laid out, and built by Troy Schneer of the BLM. It's mostly singletrack and all fun. There is a brief slickrock section, challenging negotiations, rocks, sand, hardpack, switchbacks, climbs, descents, sideslopes, etc. It's one of the trails that is part of the Kokopelli. If you are uncomfortable with your step-in (clipless) pedals this trail might not be for you.
STARTING POINT: From Grand Junction, take I-70 west to the Mack Exit (Exit 11), cross under I-70 to the south to the gravel frontage road. The parking area is where the Mack interchange intersects the gravel frontage road.
TRAIL TYPE: SINGLE TRACK 85%, DOUBLETRACK 10%, IMPROVED DIRT ROAD 5%
APPROXIMATE RIDE TIME: 1.5-2.5 hours
DIFFICULTY: Advanced with a few long hills and technical sections
| Parking Lot | 0 miles | 39º 12.670' N | 108º 52.285' W |
| Uphill turn to climb | 1.1 miles | 39º 11.957' N | 108º 51.505' W |
| Begin Lion's climb | 1.7 miles | 39º 11.734' N | 108º 51.891' W |
| Uphill on Doubletrack | 3.9 miles | 39º 10.942' N | 108º 53.116' W |
| Troy Built Trail cutoff | 4.6 miles | 39º 11.891' N | 108º 53.755' W |
| Kokopelli Trail cutoff | 7.0 miles | 39º 12.904' N | 108º 53.965' W |
| Parking Lot | 9.3 miles | 39º 12.670' N | 108º 52.285' W |
RIDE DESCRIPTION: From the trailhead, go east on the frontage road approximately 1.2 miles where you hit an intersection with Mary's Loop. To follow Lion's Loop, go right and up over the ridge. Note: This section of trail from the frontage road south over the ridge and to the cattle reservoir intersection is both part of Mary's Loop and Lion's Loop, so it is signed as Mary's Loop and Lion's Loop. Following Lion's Loop over the cattle guard and over the ridge at mile 1.8 there is a spur to the left, but bear right. There you will reach the major intersection near the cattle pond. To proceed on Lion's Loop go right (west) and start climbing. This section of Lion's Loop going west from the intersection is also part of Kokopelli's Trail proper. At approximately mile 2.4 the "semi-double track" gives way to pure single track. The double track is so eroded that it is virtually single track. At mile 3.7, you'll come to a technical section of single track. At mile 4.0 the single track intersects a jeep road (double track). Turn right and start climbing back up over the ridge which is Mack Ridge. At mile 4.8 you'll reach an intersection where Kokopelli's trail goes left (west) and descends towards Salt Creek (which is part of Troy Built Loop). You will reach the rim overlooking Crow Bottom and the junction of Salt Creek and the Colorado River. Then, shortly ahead you enter a sandstone creek bottom with technical moves that few try and even fewer make. At mile 7.0 miles the single track forks left and right, take the right branch which heads back towards the frontage road to complete the loop. The trail dumps into a rock bottomed drainage. You regain the two track, simply stay on it straight ahead back to the parking lot.
MAP OF RIDE: [HIGH RESOLUTION MAP]
