Palisade Plunge: Mesa Top TH - Shirttail Point TH Section

About

The Palisade Plunge: Mesa Top Trailhead to Shirttail Point Trailhead section is a 12.1-mile moderate mountain biking route on the Grand Mesa near Palisade, Colorado. The trail begins at an elevation of 4,731 feet and offers approximately 10 miles of flat, non-technical cruising across open range land shared with cattle. Small patches of jagged basalt rock require occasional pumping but generally keep the terrain mellow. Riders typically complete this section in about three hours. The trail connects to the larger 32-mile Plunge system, which descends over 6,000 feet to the Colorado River. This specific segment serves as the upper portion of that descent, moving through mixed forests and meadows before reaching Shirttail Point. Access is available via a paved road at Mesa Top Trailhead, which features a large parking lot and vault toilets. Shirttail Point Trailhead is accessible via Lands End Road, which has some exposure but is navigable by standard cars. The trail operates from April through October, with seasonal closures typically running from December 1 to May 1. Water is not available at either trailhead, and creeks along the route may be unreliable in autumn. Riders should carry sufficient water, as summer temperatures on the lower western slope can reach the high 90s. The area supports dispersed camping, particularly in the fall when hunters occupy some of the space. Wildlife sightings include moose, reintroduced by the USFS in 2005, and birds of prey such as Ferruginous Hawks and Golden Eagles. The trail is pet-friendly.