Grand Junction: Holy Cross Bike Loop
Ride some of western Colorado’s finest singletrack with tight turns, long descents, and stunning red sandstone on this 7.4-mile heart-pounder.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 11.9
Waypoints
Valley
Location: 39.0517272949219, -108.602493286133
A spider web of trail lace the valley floor. ©Garryck Hampton
Singletrack Glory
Location: 39.0321617126465, -108.610504150391
Take a rest, perched atop a lookout near Colorado National Monument. ©Garryck Hampton
HCR001
Location: 39.050048828125, -108.605400085449
Head S on well-packed trail punctuated with small steps and crisscrossing side trails
HCR002
Location: 39.0439796447754, -108.606597900391
R @ T and crank up short, steep hill
HCR003
Location: 39.038501739502, -108.61009979248
Straight @ T; climb past low grass and desert shrubs in crimson soil
HCR004
Location: 39.0371398925781, -108.610801696777
Straight @ 3-way; watch for desert hare and sunbathing lizards
HCR005
Location: 39.0350303649902, -108.611396789551
Keep straight again
HCR006
Location: 39.0337791442871, -108.610000610352
Go straight @ 4-way
HCR007
Location: 39.0328102111816, -108.610702514648
L onto Holy Cross Trail. Break for water @ Widowmaker Rock, a giant monolithic slab, before singletrack rollercoaster ahead. Flattops of CO National Monument to SW
HCR008
Location: 39.0383491516113, -108.599403381348
Turn L onto Gunny Loop, then hammer up to a plateau
HCR009
Location: 39.0421714782715, -108.599800109863
R @ T; trail climbs, then gradually descends into a dry canyon wash; some technical sections
HCR010
Location: 39.0421600341797, -108.600799560547
R @ T; trail widens, then it’s a grind up a granny-gear climb
HCR011
Location: 39.0438995361328, -108.604400634766
Stay R @ Y; follow the plateau edge before blasting downhill
HCR012
Location: 39.0517883300781, -108.602798461914
Go slow for mesa views before exhilarating descent to trailhead