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| Paradox Trail | ||||
The Paradox Trail links the Tabeguache Trail on the Uncompahgre Plateau and Kokopelli's Trail in the La Sal Mountains of Utah. Its 100 mile length traverses a wide variety of terrain, elevation and eco-zones. Most of its length follows existing jeep and county roads. It is accessible by mountain bike from the months of May through November although many sections are accessible year round. Major portions of the trail are accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles. Check locally for road conditions. When wet, all unpaved roads and trail segments may be impassable to both mountain bikes and motorized vehicles. Vehicle access points are marked on the Paradox Trail map available at the UBRA office in Montrose. Most of the trail is located on remote, unpatrolled BLM and US Forest Service administered lands with unmarked hazards. Be prepared with plenty of food and water. Drinking water is not readily available along the trail. Water can be found in major drainages, but should be treated before drinking. Services are limited to the Nucla/Naturita area and Bedrock. The adventurous nature of the Paradox Trail requires users to be cautious, personally responsible, self-sufficient and have a working knowledge of back country survival. The use of topographic maps and a compass is strongly recommended. Most of the trail can be found on the Nucla, La Sal, and Moab 1:100000 scale BLM maps. The following trail section descriptions are from east to west and all mileages are approximate. Trail difficulty is rated as easy, difficult or very difficult. The trail is marked every mile and at key intersections with brown carsonite posts with the Paradox Trail emblem. Tabeguache Trail to Delta-Nucla Road, via Hauser Road
Hauser Road begins at a junction with the Divide Road 3 miles NW of Antone Springs campground. It is a well-graded dirt road along the south ridge of the upper Tabeguache Basin, dropping 1700 ft. to meet Delta-Nucla Road. switchbacks and panoramic views to the south and west characterize this area. The upper section begins in spruce and aspen forest. Oak and pines dominate the lower section. Attention: Between the Glencoe Bench and Doby Canyon the Paradox Trail skirts the southern boundary of the Tabeguache Area, a BLM/USFS area managed as wilderness - mountain bikes are not allowed. Please stay on the designated route. Delta-Nucla Road to Pinto Mesa via Glencoe Bench
The trail drops sharply after crossing Delta-Nucla Road to a bench above Tabeguache Creek which lies to the north. A jeep road heads in a westerly direction through meadow, pine forests and oak brush. Some wet and boggy areas exist. This section marks the southern boundary of the Tabeguache Area which is off limits to mountain bikes. The trail offers views of the La Sal Mountains in Utah and Tabeguache Creek Canyon. After mile 4, the jeep road narrows to a wide trail rehabilitated to prevent vehicle travel. At mile 7, the trail rounds a point, heads south down a steep hill, then climbs quickly to Pinto Mesa to intersect a dirt road. Turn left and follow it for 1/2 mile to a "T" intersection. Pinto Mesa to Coal Canyon
At the "T" intersection, the trail turns right on Pinto Mesa. Near the mesa rim the road forks, bear left and begin dropping down the side of the rim to the NW. Road is rough and rocky and will switchback to the south. Vegetation is juniper and pinyon while the road becomes rockier and rougher in its descent. A north/south fence marks the boundary between National Forest and BLM administered lands 2 1/4 miles from Pinto Mesa. The trail forks off to the left (south) shortly beyond the fence and goes immediately down into a drainage. Trail follows a dry creek bottom on a soft trail which eventually climbs out of the creek bed to the north and brings you to a large fenced in opening. The trail climbs around to the right on a steep road. Coal Canyon to Tabeguache Creek
Trail climbs steeply out of the open area to an existing pack/seismic road. This section can be extremely rough and steep in places as it drops and climbs out of various drainages. Trail bears in a NW direction. Eventually the terrain becomes more rolling and gently before intersecting with County Road Z-26 in Third Park. Turn right and drop into Tabeguache Creek. You will find a nice swimming hole upstream of the bridge. Alternate Route through Nucla
At the "T" intersection on Pinto Mesa, turn left and follow dirt road to Delta-Nucla Road, turn right and follow the gravel/paved road to Nucla. From Nucla, turn right (north) on Main Street (Highway 97). Climb briefly on the road that quickly bears west as BB Road. At 1 1/2 miles, turn right on paved road that goes through Tuttle Draw and around old mining area. Turn left on CC Road. Take second right on through Second Park, then left at intersection. Road turns to gravel and drops into Coal Creek climbing to Third Park where a dirt road intersects with the Paradox Trail, Nucla has a full array of services including a swimming reservoir. Motels and other services are located in Naturita 4 miles south on Highway 141. Tabeguache Creek to Spring Creek via Z-26 Road
Cross the bridge and climb NE out of the Canyon. Road climbs steadily to the north with views of Shavano Creek, Uncompahgre Plateau and the La Sal Mountain. Road drops to Campbell Creek 3.7 miles from the Tabeguache creek. Pass by private property with a ranch house and fenced pasture. Please respect owner's privacy. Continue on Z-26 Road as it climbs up and over the hills to Burro Creek drainage. Come to gate 7 1/2 miles from Tabeguache Creek. Return any gates as you find them and respect private property on both sides of the road. Road will overlook a house at drops into Spring Creek. Head north along the creek to the intersection of U-18 and Z-26 Roads. Spring Creek to Uravan
Turn left and follow U-18 Road up the hill to the SW. It quickly tops out onto a sage and pinon covered flat. Road is well-graded as it drops steadily to Spring Creek Mesa. At mile 5, road starts to drop into the San Miguel River canyon along gently switchbacks. U-18 Road ends at Highway 141 in Uravan. No services are available. Uravan to Bedrock
Turn right and follow Highway 141 for 1/2 mile. Turn left and cross the San Miguel River on a concrete bridge. Follow the river downstream as it drops into a small canyon to the confluence with the Dolores River at mile 4 1/2. Continue on the river orad as it meanders through a deep river canyon. About 3 miles from the confluence, the narrow canyon opens to the Paradox Valley. Cross the valley floor and meet Highway 90. turn right on the Highway 90 and cross the Dolores River at Bedrock. This is an extremely scenic section. Limited services and water are available at the Bedrock Store. Bedrock to Carpenter Ridge
From Bedrock, follow Highway 90 for 1 mile, then take the first county road to the right. Follow for 1 mile, turn left. Go 1/2 mile and turn right. Go up a small hill and travel 2 miles, then turn left. Travel 3 miles straight into Paradox, 8.5 miles from Bedrock. No services area available in Paradox. At Paradox, turn right past the school and firehouse to the north side of the valley. The road climbs steeply on switchbacks for 3 miles to the top of Carpenter Ridge. Enjoy panoramic views of the Paradox Valley and the San Juan Mountains. Carpenter Ridge to Buckeye Reservoir
Road heads north and west as it rounds Carpenter Ridge. It quickly enters mature pine forests with views to the north into Sinbad Valley and Sewemup Mesa. Continue to go left at intersections, staying on the main road. It tops out at 3 1/2 miles from Carpenter Ridge. Gradually descend along a jeep road passing Buckeye Reservoir on the left. The trail bears right after passing the reservoir on the orad. Camping, swimming and fishing are popular at this small lake. No services are available. Buckeye Reservoir to Taylor Flat
From Buckeye Reservoir head NW and soon cross the state line into Utah. Road is well-maintained and sees a variety of traffic including log trucks. Road climbs through pine forests and open meadows, then drops into the Geyser Creek drainage. Switchbacks bring you out of the drainage to a maintenance station near the intersection of the Taylor Flat Road. Turn right on the Taylor Flat Road and continue to climb through mature aspen groves. Sinbad Valley and the Uncompahgre Plateau can be seen to the right. Road then drops steadily to Taylor Flat through oak thickets. Taylor Flat to Kokopelli's Trail
The road climbs steadily the length of Taylor Flat as it heads north to meet the Gateway Road-County Road 207. Turn left on the Gateway Road. It drops and then climbs around the ridge. The road then drops steadily to the intersection with Kokopelli's Trail. Moab is 30 miles to the west from this point.
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