Story by Jessy Greenland, Photos by Jessy Greenland and Corey Osborne
The RimRocker Trail is a newer trail that allows you to enjoy 160 miles of off-road travel while experiencing the many different landscapes that connect Montrose, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. The trail is on pavement for roughly six miles to crisscross valleys to get back onto dirt. The RimRocker runs long stretches through remote areas, with large rough portions, narrow sections, and steep shelf roads. If you think you will only use 2wd, you would be wrong. There are many technical areas to have fun in; but plan on being self-reliant with mostly no cell coverage. The roads on the eastern half are graded gravel roads two vehicles wide and would easily be traveled in a family vehicle. Traveling through the aspens during their full fall color changes and stopping at the overlooks for many of the Colorado views will take the better part of two days.
The trail maps are detailed, and the new ground markers make them easy to navigate. Check travel updates on Rimrockertrail.org for closures and trail conditions. On the website, you can print maps, GPS coordinates, and any other info you need to plan. If you start in Montrose, you can visit the museum and BLM office for maps and info. The RimRocker foundation has done an excellent job preserving the history along the route.
The trail provides 4WD, OHV, and bicycle access through some of the west’s most stunning scenery. Immersed with natural beauty, the red rock canyons, winding rivers, desert vistas, and alpine forests will keep the savviest traveler smiling. You can even drive a stock Jeep to enjoy the adventure of the trail. The trail is littered with old mines and days of old. The towns along the way are rich in history from the 1800s and beyond. The most fascinating and somewhat preserved “flume” the miners used to carry water to process gold flakes can be seen from the overlooks; the flume has been placed on the World Monument Funds’ “100 most endangered sites” list. The trail is scenic and spectacular; there is a LOT to see while making your way from Montrose, Colorado, to Moab, Utah.
