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Trail Name: Nyswonger Mesa Trail
Best Use: Mountain Biking, Hiking
Best Time for Use: Biking and Hiking – Spring, Summer, Fall.
Difficulty: Mountain Biking – Intermediate to Expert icon-intermediateicon-expert, Hiking – Intermediate icon-intermediate
Length: 8.4 miles (13.5 km) from drop off on Hwy 90 back to Bedrock.
Start Elevation: 6,000 ft (1,829 m) Maximum Elev Gain and Loss from Start Elev: 1,500 ft, (457 m)gain – 2,420 ft. (738 m)loss
Trail Surface and Use: A lightly used and abandoned 2-track. Some bushwhacking up steep terrain. Note: Requires at least two to negotiate the second lift up the west buttress of Nyswonger Mesa.
Trail Head Access: Suitable for 2WD auto
Trail Head Coordinates: 675,570E; 4,247,320N UTM WGS84 Zone12
Best Feature: Exploration of hard to access Nyswonger Mesa and its western approach. Great views across the Paradox Valley and to the east into the Dolores River Canyon. Steep and technical decent back to Bedrock and Hwy 90.
Caution: No water is available. Map reading and wilderness riding skills are highly recommended.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION, GPX VERSION, OR KMZ VERSION OF THE NYSWONGER MESA TRAIL.

Description: This unmarked ride is best with a drop off at the trailhead up Hwy 90 as it leaves the Paradox Valley. The dirt two track can be found coming in on the east side of the highway on the last big curve near the top. Follow the two track bearing right at most intersections paralleling the cliff band on your right. At mile 2.75 (4.4 km)begin looking for an area in the cliff band right next to the road that will allow you to bushwhack up to the top climbing 200 vertical ft (61 m). There is an old abandoned two track at the top which will take you to the western base of Nyswonger Mesa. Climb to the base of the cliffs making up the west buttress and begin a short traverse to the south looking for the crag allowing a short 80 ft (24 m) vertical lift up to the first bench. There are remnants of an old ladder nearby. Once on top of the the crag and cliff band you can bushwhack across the mesa in a SE direction until you connect with one of the many 2-track trails lacing the mesa top. These mesa top 2-track trails eventually find their way to the top of a steep descent off of the mesa top, which can be found along the NE section of the rim.