Palisade Plunge: Lower Section

About

The Palisade Plunge Lower Section is a 3.8-mile hiking trail in Palisade, Colorado, located on the west flank of the Grand Mesa. The route descends from the mesa top into deep canyons and ascends back up to ridge-top views, offering vistas of the Book Cliffs and orchards. The trail is designed primarily for mountain biking, featuring narrow sections, blind corners, and boulder slabs requiring scrambling. Hikers should expect encounters with downhill bikers, particularly from May through November, or hike during the seasonal closure from December 1 to April 30 to avoid the bulk of bike traffic. The trailhead is situated on the west side of Highway 6, with parking, garbage cans, and an outhouse available. The lower canyon floor can be shaded and icy in winter, and the trail includes a sharp right turn at a natural water pour-off approximately one-quarter mile from the start. The route connects to the Palisade Rim Trail and ends near the Colorado River. Elevation reaches 6,461 feet, and the hike is classified as difficult due to the terrain and potential for steep switchbacks.