Roan Cliff Chaos

About

Roan Cliff Chaos is a 4.1-mile difficult singletrack loop on the Roan Platea near Rifle, Colorado, starting at 6,037 feet. The route is shared with mountain bikers and motorcyclists. The trail begins with a climb up Lower Faceplant, then continues onto the main Chaos section with short descents before reaching a fence line summit. From there, it descends to a gravel road where hikers connect to Loop 3. The path crosses a mesa edge marked by junipers with arrow signs, briefly joins a 4x4 road, and passes a camping area with a firepit. The terrain becomes ledgey and rugged, traversing the hillside with repeated ups and downs. A steep, rutted rocky section follows, leading to a traverse above a creek bed. Heavy rains in 2014 created a significant rain gutter in the trail center here. The trail exits to a 4x4 road, where a right turn leads to an orange arrow directing hikers into a dry creek bed. This bed leads to another 4x4 road; turning right returns to the BLM parking lot, while a left continues toward Gun Loop. Parking is available at the trailhead.