This mountain bike route, which is marked with bicycle emblem sign posts, combines mountain bike riding with opportunities to explore remote archaeological ruins abandoned by Pueblans around 1300 AD. The lower elevation of this semiarid canyon country also opens up biking opportunities during fall, spring, and drier winter months. Ride north on the above mentioned county road for about 1.5 miles to the fork in the road and BLM sign. Go left and ascend a series of short steep climbs to top of Cannonball Mesa. Beyond here, the route is an easy, flat mesa-top ride through Piñon/juniper and across slickrock. Two miles after reaching the mesa-top, the road forks again. The right fork ends at Cannonball Mesa Ruin which is a large, late Pueblo, canyon-head complex typical of the Yellow Jacket area. The left fork goes to the end of the mesa with fine views of McElmo Canyon, Battlerock, and Yellow Jacket Canyon. This mesa-top route is actually called the Wood Road, the historic wagon road to Bluff, Utah. Return to McElmo Road by the same route.
Directions from Cortez, Colorado: Drive south 2.0 miles on U.S. Hwy 160/666 and turn right at the M&M Cafe onto McElmo Canyon Road. Travel 20.4 miles to an unmarked county road which will be on the right and marked with a cattleguard and a sign reading "Keep Vehicle on the Road." Park and ride from this point.
Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible:
0/00/00 through 0/00/00
(NOTE: Lack of private land access to trail. Not recommended.)
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Check with Ranger District for current conditions. (970) 882-7296 Updated: 2001-06-19 15:07:00.0
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