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TURKEY FLATS
| RATING
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 Joel Schaefer rides down the Haypress in the golden aspens |
COMMENTS: Excellent Alpine loop ride mixing scenic mild steady climbs with long and fast intermediate downhill segments. Beware of horse traffic and manure. Without moisture the the trail can be powdery.
STARTING POINT: Drive on monument road in the Colorado National Monument and turn left after Cold Slivers Point turn to Glade Park. At the Glade Park store (awesome beef jerky) turn south on 16 road. Pavement turns to dirt road. Follow right fork and continue beyond Fruita Res #2. Park at primitive lot across from Turkey Flats trail head in the aspens. The parking area is 10.4 miles from the Glade Park Store. It is not signed and is essentially a large pulloff area with a picnic table.
TRAIL TYPE: SINGLE TRACK 90%, DOUBLETRACK 10%,
APPROXIMATE RIDE TIME: 2-3 hours
DIFFICULTY: Moderate with minimal technical sections
| Turkey Flats Parking Area | 0 miles | 38º 51.735' N | 108º 46.363' W |
| Haypress meadow (left) | 1.6 miles | 38º 50.762' N | 108º 46.437' W |
| Jeep road | 2.8 miles | 38º 51.393' N | 108º 45.497' W |
| Doubletrack trail | 4.9 miles | 38º 50.348' N | 108º 46.010' W |
| Gate in Fence | 5.9 miles | 38º 49.806' N | 108º 46.667' W |
| Haypress cutoff (right) | 6.2 miles | 38º 49.869' N | 108º 47.031' W |
| Haypress meadow | 7.7 miles | 38º 50.762' N | 108º 46.437' W |
| Turkey Flats Parking Area | 9.3 miles | 38º 51.735' N | 108º 46.363' W |
RIDE DESCRIPTION: Begin singletrack across road and ascent along a smooth aspen lined 12 inch trail until you reach the haypress meadow at 1.6. miles. Veer left and cruise the long lively single tract to a jeep road 2.8 miles. Take the hard right and head up until you run into a forest service gate below Fruita Res #1. Follow along the west shoreline and begin the uphill assault on the challenging mix of st/dt until mile 4.9. Veer right and whoop-dee-doo on easy uphill tread until the BLM gate which is usually closed. Pedal until you see the 662 sign for Haypress. Begin the delightful downhill. There's only one beat-up upper section requiring portage. The moisture of the trail and the amount of horse traffic really affect this minor steep segment. Beyond there are several muddy-logged creek crossings that are fun to buzz. At Haypress meadow speed back down turkey flats trail accelerating all the way to the your car.
MAP OF RIDE: [HIGH RESOLUTION MAP (7.5 minute)]
