Trail Name: Paradox Trail
Section Description: Pinto Mesa to Tabeguache Creek via Nucla
Best Use: Mountain Biking & Hiking
Best Time for Use: Late Spring, Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate (short hike-a-bikes) 
Length: 24.5 miles
Start Elevation: 7,260 ft Gain: 2,920 ft Loss: 4,696 ft
Trail Surface and Use: Singletrack trail and primitive two track. Three short hike a bike sections.
Trail Head Access: Suitable for 2WD auto.
Trail Head Coordinates: Pinto Mesa 719,063m E, 4,246,820m N WGS84 UTM Zone 12; Tabeguache Creek 707,249m E, 4,248,206m N
Best Feature: Fun descent off Pinto Mesa into Coal Canyon. New single track trails east and north of Nucla.
Cautions: No potable water exists on this section. Leave gates as you find them. Services are available in Nucla / Naturita.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION, GPX VERSION, OR KMZ VERSION OF THE PT PINTO MESA TO TABEGUACHE CREEK TRAIL.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION, GPX VERSION, OR KMZ VERSION OF THE ENTIRE PARADOX TRAIL SYSTEM.
Description: From Pinto Mesa follow the dirt road west as it heads towards the mesa rim. Sweeping views to the west and the Tabeguache Area are seen as you begin the descent into Coal Canyon. The new reroute begins at the canyon bottom which heads in a south easterly direction as it climbs back up a short rise to the south rim. Follow the Paradox Trail signs as the rough two track follows around a large open area climbing a small ridge and entering another clearing. Here the new singletrack trail begins as it continues south towards the Delta Nucla Road where it crosses about 2.5 miles east of Nucla. The Paradox Trail continues to the south on an old two track, crossing a small drainage before coming to the new section of single track trail to the SW. This one mile section crosses over three small drainages and ridges as it heads for an existing two track trail at the top of the ridge east of Nucla. Follow the two track and signs as the trail descends the ridge joining the paved Delta Nucla Road where you will turn left towards town.
Follow the county road west for less than a half mile until the PT leaves the road to the north on an old two track, climbing steeply for a short distance. Follow the signs as the trail follows the ridge around to a point overlooking a small drainage coming out of Spradlin Park. Here almost a mile of new single track is met as it heads down into the drainage, crossing over the soft bottom as it continues west and north around a rocky point. This section features some West End slickrock as it climbs a gentle gradient towards another old two track trail heading NW. More single track trail is encountered as the new trail bypasses private land to the east climbing over a small ridge and meeting the old two track which you will be on for the rest of this section. The old road climbs the incline, eventually heading down into Coal Canyon on a fun descent. Follow the old road in the canyon bottom for less than a mile where the PT leaves the two track to the left going up a rough but short hike a bike. The trail continues in a NW direction crossing minor drainages and sage flats. After dropping into and climbing out of Doby Canyon the trail follows another open area on the east side eventually meeting up with a larger but still rough two track road coming in from the west (left). Follow this road for three miles until coming to CR Z 26. Turn right (north) and follow Z 26 for one mile until it drops into the Tabeguache Canyon and creek.