Turkey Flats Trail in Fruita, Colorado

First of all, Teresa and I planned to do this ride on Saturday, September 26, but we got lost. Well, we weren’t actually lost, we always knew where we were, but I made the mistake of trusting the navigation system in Teresa’s Cadillac to get us to the trail head. It took us on the South side of the Mountain that the trail is on top of to within 5 miles of the trail head, but where it fell short was in the fact that there was no road from there that would take us straight up into the wilderness to where we were going. Then, when I asked it for another route, it took us 20 miles or so around the West side of the mountain, where it directed us to get on a primitive Jeep trail that would take us up to the top. That wasn’t going to happen, and now we were some 60 miles out of our way. So we backtracked along the way we had came, and decided to try another high country trail instead that was closer to where we actually were. To make a long story short, we never found that trail head either and ended up just spending an hour or so riding some ATV 2-track. We saw some beautiful country, found a few new places, but overall it was not a good day for riding.

Day two went a little better. Coming from the North side of the mountains you get to Turkey Flats by going through the Colorado National Monument and through Glade Park. From the Glade Park Store you head South on 16 1/2 Road for 10 miles to the trailhead, which is really pretty easy to find if you start out on the right side of the mountain.

The trail route that we took started at the Turkey Flats trail head and followed varied single track for about 3 miles where it intersected a fire road. Most of this is a steady climb, with a few spring crossings, and some rocks and roots. The only real bad part of this section of trail is where it is worn down 8-10 inches below grade with only a 8-12 inch wide path which made pedaling all but impossible. At about 1 1/2 miles, the trail forks in Haypress Meadow. We stayed left here, and returned on the right hand spur. At about three miles we intersected with the fire road. A right turn and a mile of climbing on the fire road took us to a reservoir that is currently being rebuilt and the Glory trail head. This is where this trail gets nasty. Can you say hike-a-bike? These next couple of miles were basically a grueling hike up the side of a mountain.

Climb. Climb. Then more climbing for two miles. I have to give Teresa credit — she never cussed at me one time, and she didn’t call me one nasty name. One time, she came around a bend and saw yet another climb and said, “You have got to be kidding me,” but she never resorted to violence. At the top (finally) the trail intersected with an ATV road that meandered for about a mile before intersecting with the Haypress trail head. From here it is 1 1/2 miles of screaming downhill to the Turkey flats fork in Haypress meadow, and then another 1 1/2 miles of downhill back along the Turkey Flats trail to the trail head for a total ride of about 10 miles.

Overall this was a fun trail, but it is a long grueling climb for the short payoff. Technically, I would call this an intermediate level trail, but you better be in pretty good shape if you want to enjoy it, because this is anything but a leisurely ride through the woods. Also keep in mind that you will be in the wilderness, and far from civilization. Supply yourself accordingly. I’d recommend a flashlight, a two-way radio, a hand held GPS and a space blanket, because you don’t want to be caught out here unprepared.

On the upside, this place is absolutely beautiful. The trail took us through miles of aspen groves in full fall color, along with gorgeous meadows and dark pine forests. While we didn’t see much wildlife on the trail, we did see deer, wild turkey, and big horn sheep in the surrounding area, and the drive in and out through the Monument is also enjoyable.

Turkey Flats TrailSep 27, 2009 Photos: 81

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