Trail Name: Blue Mesa Loop
Best Use: Mountain Biking
Best Time for Use: Biking – Spring, Summer, Fall- avoid wet conditions.
Difficulty: Mountain Biking – Intermediate to Expert
Length: 16.2 (26.1km) miles from trailhead
Start Elevation: 5,190 ft (1,582m)
Maximum Elev Gain from Start Elev: 2,913 ft (881m), gain
Trail Surface and Use: A lightly used and abandoned 2-track. Some bushwhacking down steep terrain for the loop. Trail is unmarked – GPS highly recommended.
Trail Head Access: Suitable for 2WD auto. Follow CR P 12 up from Hwy 141 25 miles south of Gateway for 1.5 miles. Look for the first two track coming in from the left.
Trail Head Coordinates: 689,110E; 4,258,225N UTM WGS84 Zone12
Best Feature: This ride offers a unique perspective from a high bench off the west side of Blue Mesa. Views of Sew em Up Mesa Wilderness Study Area (WSA) directly across the Dolores River Canyon and the high benches above the narrows section of Hwy 141 south of Gateway offer riders a visual treat. The Palisade above Gateway is also visible looking north.
Cautions: No water is available. This unmarked trail should be ridden when conditions are dry. Trail can become impassable if wet conditions are present. GPS and wilderness riding skills are highly recommended.

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Description: This trail can be ridden as an out and back or as a loop. For the out and back head out on the old two track as it heads in a north and westerly direction. The trail is rolling as it rounds Blue Mesa on your right gradually climbing the bench. At about mile 8 it will begin its decent into Blue Creek and eventually onto private property near the bottom. For the loop, described in a counterclockwise direction, follow CR P 12 for 1.7 miles (2.7 km) until you come to an intersection with the Paradox Trail going to the right. Follow the road straight for .2 miles (3.2 km)looking for a steep two track coming off Blue Mesa on your left. You will climb 700 vertical feet (213m)to the mesa rim at mile 3. Follow the main road across the mesa top as it climbs gradually heading in a NW direction. At approx mile 5.3 (8.5 km) there is an intersection on the left. Follow that road as it heads west towards the mesa rim. This road continues to climb in a NW direction. At approx mile 7.6 (12.2 km) another lesser used road come in from the left. Follow that as it continues around to the north staying on an abandoned road. Eventually it will end at approx mile 8 (12.9 km)where you will begin your bushwhack to the north side of the mesa rim. The terrain is steep but wooded and rocky. The road around the west bench is visible 300 ft (91 m) below. Once you reach that road it is 7.7 miles (12.4 km)back to the trailhead in a west and south direction.