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HORSETHIEF BENCH
| RATING
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Kelly Bynum rides above the Colorado River on Horsethief Bench |
COMMENTS: Horsethief Bench is a good ride for intermediate mountain bikers. There is plenty of challenge without huge exhausting climbs. The views from this are are awesome. The trail follows the Colorado River for most of the way. This ride is a good choice for a first ride in the area. Impassable when wet!
STARTING POINT: From Grand Junction take I-70 to the Loma Exit (Exit #15). Cross over the interstate to the south and turn right on gravel road. Just short of the weigh station, turn left, through the and follow the frontage road for about 1/2 mile until you come to a the parking area. This is the Kokopelli parking area
TRAIL TYPE: SINGLE TRACK 80%, DOUBLETRACK 20%
APPROXIMATE RIDE TIME: 2-3 hours
DIFFICULTY: Moderate with hills and technical sections
| Parking Lot | 0.0 miles | 39º 10.670' N | 108º 49.683' W |
| Moore Fun cutoff | 0.3 miles | 39º 10.645' N | 108º 49.870' W |
| Mary's Loop cutoff (ascend right) | 0.6 miles | 39º 10.491' N | 108º 49.764' W |
| Horsethief Bench cutoff (left descent) | 2.0 miles | 39º 10.285' N | 108º 51.054' W |
| Bike portage | 3.7 miles | 39º 10.465' N | 108º 52.027' W |
| Return to Mary's Loop (go right) | 5.8 miles | 39º 10.285' N | 108º 51.054' W |
| Parking Lot | 7.8 miles | 39º 10.670' N | 108º 49.683' W |
RIDE DESCRIPTION: This ride follows Mary's Loop for about half of the loop. From the parking area, ascend to the ridge up a well imporved road to the south. As you continue on this road, pass the Moore Fun cutoff at mile 0.3 and continue to the Marys cutoff at mile 0.6. If you reach the fence, you went too far return a short distance. Mary's ascends up a rough doubletrack to the southwest. Just after you cross a small cattle guard at mile 2.0 you will see the descent onto Horsethief Bench. Turn left off Mary's to the descent. For almost all riders, this is a mandatory portage. When you reach the bottom the trail forks. The ride is good in either direction. This description take a clockwise (left) route. The well marked trail circle the bench. There is another short portage at mile 3.7. The trail will return to the area where you took the fork. Climb up the steep hill and regain Mary's Loop trail at mile 5.8. Turn right and return the way you came to the parking area at mile 7.8
You may choose to continue on Mary's Loop after Horsethief Bench. To do this just take a left at the top of the ascending portage at mile 5.8. This adds a lot more distance to the ride, but makes a nice 3-4 hour ride. See the Mary's loop ride page for more information.
MAP OF RIDE: [HIGH RESOLUTION MAP]
