Palisade Plunge Preview: What Colorado Bikers Should Know For 2025

Western Colorado’s days are getting longer, the temps are warming up, and mountain bike enthusiasts all over the state are thinking about Mesa County’s wildest ride – the Palisade Plunge.

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The plunge is an advanced, even expert-level ride, with challenging terrain and significant exposure. While the last of the snow melts on Grand Mesa, here is what you need to know for the 2025 season.

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What Is the Palisade Plunge?

Experienced riders see a breakdown of the Palisade Plunge and can't help but wonder what it would be like to complete this epic route, which takes many riders 5+ hours to complete.

• Total Distance: 32 miles (point-to-point)
• Starting Elevation: Near 10,700 feet (at the Mesa Top Trailhead on the Grand Mesa)
• Ending Elevation: Near 4,700 feet (in Palisade, Colorado)
• Total Elevation Loss: Over 6,000 feet
• Elevation Gain: Roughly 1,500 feet of climbing throughout (yup, you will encounter a few tough uphill climbs to set up the next stage of your descent.

What’s New for 2025?

A great resource for updates and announcements about the Palisade Plunge is this link from the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association. Minor trail reroutes occur as the years pass to protect some of the lower trail ecosystems. Heavy rains can create very muddy conditions along the trail, so know what the weather is doing a few days ahead of your intended ride.

Palisade Cycle and Hermosa Tours are already booking summer reservations for riders who wish to take advantage of the shuttle service to the Mesa Top trail area. It is about 42 miles from Palisade to the trailhead by shuttle. Most rides cost $50 to $75.

Read More: Enjoy the Beautiful Colorado River at Palisade's Riverbend Park

Permits, Fees & Recommended Ride Windows

• Permits: No permits are currently required for the Palisade Plunge, but riders should look for the trail register at the trailhead for safety.
• Fees: Most days, there is no fee to park at the Mesa Top trailhead (the same trailhead as the Palisade Plunge) on the Grand Mesa. However, special events do occur that may require a parking fee for some spots.

Ride Windows: June to October are the safest months with the best ride conditions.

• June/July: Lingering snow in some sections, wildflowers in full bloom in others.
• August: The hottest month to take the plunge. Bring extra water, then bring even more.
• September/October: The cooler temps and fall colors make these the best months all year to take the plunge. Fewer crowds, too.