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Zippety Do Dah Mountain Bike Trail
Fruita, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
14 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 5/7/09 by david_darling |
Difficulty:  Advanced |
| Length: 9 miles | Global Rank: 113 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 116 | Wishlist: 58 |
| Avg. Speed: 5.9 mph | Avg. Time: 2hr 35min |
Directions:
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Description: On my first trip to Fruita, I managed to put tire to trail on most of the Book Cliffs area and a good portion of the trails down by Mary's Loop. By far, Zippety was my favorite because it offered a scenic ride along with some fun, technical, and frankly some scary sections that I just didnít find anywhere else I had ridden. If you get to do just one ride in the Book Cliffs area, I donít see how you could go wrong picking this one. Some may opt to do a shorter loop and not do the western leg of the ìformalî Zippety Loop by taking the road due north from the parking lot, then heading due west to catch the top of the roller coaster part of this trail. If you are pressed for time, this might not be a bad decisionÖalthough we chose to do the whole thing as described below.
The trail starts out from the lower parking lot and heads due west. After some fun ups and downs (1/4 mile or so), you will come to a T intersection which meets up with the main loop of this trail. If you look to your right you may seem some screaming bikers heading your way as they come off the downhill portion of Zippety. That will be you in an hour or so! Instead, take a left and begin a nice level portion of singletrack which dumps you onto the double track road. This service road is an easy, dusty, prelude to the rest of the singletrack.
You will eventually see the trail peel off to the right (north) from the road, as you begin a gentle uphill climb for a couple miles towards the cliffs. This portion is very scenic, and despite the upward trend, the trail is not technical or difficult at all. If you look to your right, you can see the hills which you will soon be exploring. Once you are near the cliffs, you will see the singletrack turn to the east, going downhill. This is a fast, fun section of trail which dumps you into a wash of sorts, and eventually leads to one of the steepest climbs you will probably ever experience! Once you walk your bike to the top, your ride will take a turn from fun to incredible.
You will soon find a sign for this trail, with an Experts Only sign to go along with it. Beginner riders would be advised to avoid this trail. While an intermediate rider could probably do this trail with no problem, there will definitely be points where walking will be necessary either to avoid falling off one side or the other, or to navigate super steep climbs, or perilous downhill sections. This is especially true for your first ride through here, as you will often be amazed at how the trail sticks to the side of the hills, or sits atop a narrow land bridge with steep banks on either side. While I wouldnít classify these cliffs as strictly life threatening (a la Portal Trail in Moab), you will get seriously hurt if you fall off in certain places. For at least your first loop, take your time and know your limits.
The best way to describe this trail is that it reminds you of a roller coaster. The only thing it is missing is the upside down loop! You will often approach a drop off and wonder where the trail goesÖbecause you have to literally get to the edge before you can see it drop down below you. As you watch you will see people bob up and down in the distance as they ride this coaster. There are about 2 miles of ups, downs, sideways trails, insane climbs, even crazier descents, and some super fast (perhaps dangerously fast) singletrack as you go from hill to hill. As you proceed to the south, the trail becomes more ìtypicalî and turns into a fast, gradual downhillÖwhich eventually meets back up at that T junction. This time you will take a left to head back to the carsÖor you can go straight to do another loop. The fun part of Zippety flows much better than similar ups and downs over at Chutes and Ladders, which is why I preferred this trail over that one.
Description: On my first trip to Fruita, I managed to put tire to trail on most of the Book Cliffs area and a good portion of the trails down by Mary's Loop. By far, Zippety was my favorite because it offered a scenic ride along with some fun, technical, and frankly some scary sections that I just didnít find anywhere else I had ridden. If you get to do just one ride in the Book Cliffs area, I donít see how you could go wrong picking this one. Some may opt to do a shorter loop and not do the western leg of the ìformalî Zippety Loop by taking the road due north from the parking lot, then heading due west to catch the top of the roller coaster part of this trail. If you are pressed for time, this might not be a bad decisionÖalthough we chose to do the whole thing as described below.
The trail starts out from the lower parking lot and heads due west. After some fun ups and downs (1/4 mile or so), you will come to a T intersection which meets up with the main loop of this trail. If you look to your right you may seem some screaming bikers heading your way as they come off the downhill portion of Zippety. That will be you in an hour or so! Instead, take a left and begin a nice level portion of singletrack which dumps you onto the double track road. This service road is an easy, dusty, prelude to the rest of the singletrack.
You will eventually see the trail peel off to the right (north) from the road, as you begin a gentle uphill climb for a couple miles towards the cliffs. This portion is very scenic, and despite the upward trend, the trail is not technical or difficult at all. If you look to your right, you can see the hills which you will soon be exploring. Once you are near the cliffs, you will see the singletrack turn to the east, going downhill. This is a fast, fun section of trail which dumps you into a wash of sorts, and eventually leads to one of the steepest climbs you will probably ever experience! Once you walk your bike to the top, your ride will take a turn from fun to incredible.
You will soon find a sign for this trail, with an Experts Only sign to go along with it. Beginner riders would be advised to avoid this trail. While an intermediate rider could probably do this trail with no problem, there will definitely be points where walking will be necessary either to avoid falling off one side or the other, or to navigate super steep climbs, or perilous downhill sections. This is especially true for your first ride through here, as you will often be amazed at how the trail sticks to the side of the hills, or sits atop a narrow land bridge with steep banks on either side. While I wouldnít classify these cliffs as strictly life threatening (a la Portal Trail in Moab), you will get seriously hurt if you fall off in certain places. For at least your first loop, take your time and know your limits.
The best way to describe this trail is that it reminds you of a roller coaster. The only thing it is missing is the upside down loop! You will often approach a drop off and wonder where the trail goesÖbecause you have to literally get to the edge before you can see it drop down below you. As you watch you will see people bob up and down in the distance as they ride this coaster. There are about 2 miles of ups, downs, sideways trails, insane climbs, even crazier descents, and some super fast (perhaps dangerously fast) singletrack as you go from hill to hill. As you proceed to the south, the trail becomes more ìtypicalî and turns into a fast, gradual downhillÖwhich eventually meets back up at that T junction. This time you will take a left to head back to the carsÖor you can go straight to do another loop. The fun part of Zippety flows much better than similar ups and downs over at Chutes and Ladders, which is why I preferred this trail over that one.
added on May 29, 2005 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Colorado Trail: Searle Pass in Copper
Mount Falcon Park in Morrison
Monarch Crest Trail in Salida
Colorado Trail / Green Mountain in Deckers
NEARBY TRAILS
- Chutes and Ladders in Fruita (0 miles away)
- Vegetarian Loop in Fruita (0 miles away)
- Edge Loop in Fruita (0 miles away)
- Kessel Run in Fruita (0 miles away)
- Prime Cut in Fruita (0 miles away)
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by trlfrk on August 16, 2009
I just don't understand the excitement surrounding fruita. I guess I'm spoiled living in the front range. So many good trails (better trails) closer to home. I prefer really technical climbs. Obviously fruita is not technical, but I wasn't even impressed with the "wow" factor so many people mention in the other reviews. For you downhillers- probably a great trail. For technical uphillers/trial riders fruita is good to visit once. Not a bad ride, just not the best. In my humble opinion.
reviewed by shane_anthony77 on June 1, 2009
Awesome trail with some very sweet drops. There is a great section at the beginning of the trail after the first climb. Then a nice down hill section followed by a climb and then the fun starts. The rest well you need to ride it for yourself to understand, so for god sake get to Fruita!!!
reviewed by david_darling on May 7, 2009
There is a big WOW! factor going on here. Super fun, at times super hairy scary. Very appealing to the riders eye. Great at sunset. Those with fear of exposure or heights should avoid this trail, as cool as it is, walking sections of the trail do damage to the landscape and beauty of the narrowness of these and surrounding trails. A must do if in 18 Road. Yesterday I was almost knocked off the top of the trail before the start of the descent by a Golden Eagle. Startled, the bird flew off and its wings clipped my helmet. WOW!
Similar Trail: Joe's Ridge
reviewed by El_Gecko on April 9, 2008
A very unique trail that at times hugs a ridge line leading down from the Book Cliffs. Lot of exposure, so if you are afraid of heights, you might want to avoid. Otherwise, it's the best trail of the many good choices at the Road 18 area.
Similar Trail: Joe's Ridge, also at Road 18.
reviewed by Beaker on April 8, 2008
This is Joe's Ridge on steroids! Basically the same ride just over a bigger, steeper ridgeline. The "pucker" factor can be a little high the first time you ride it but the trail is so smooth the speed is easy to negotitate.
Similar Trail: Joe's Ridge
reviewed by keithcath on October 28, 2007
Expect your heart rate to rise on this trail. There are several severely steep drops, and one extremely exposed section (plus some quite exposed bits). We rode down the Kessel trail from the campsite, and started the Zippity loop from the T at the bottom. Great, exhilarating ride. There are only a couple of really technically demanding bits - the rest is a matter of focusing on the trail and forgetting the drops.
reviewed by skibum on October 7, 2007
This trail runs from just plain fun to downright scary. It's not overly technical, so the fright is mostly mental. The big exposure combined with wicked (but smooth) steeps causes concern. Once you get over the mental hurdle, its all butter. Try Joe's Ridge first if you're not sure you can handle Zippity.
* Review edited 10/7/2007
Similar Trail: Anything in Fruita
reviewed by Lancefan on June 25, 2007
This is definitly one of the best trails I have ever ridden. The scenery is breathtaking and the trail is amazing. The up and downs here make Slickrock look like little hills. It is scary steep, bring your A-Game or you will go over the bars on the descents. Just an amazing must ride trail.
Similar Trail: Joes Ridge
reviewed by dauw on October 16, 2006
Seriously sweet trail. Great views and decents. I wish it were longer.
Similar Trail: Joe's Ridge
reviewed by mboire31 on May 25, 2006
This is one of my top three trails...what an exhilarating ride!!! If you like big drops you'll like this trail.
Similar Trail: Joe's Ridge
reviewed by petersbike on April 30, 2006
Awesome trail. Not as much flow as Joe's ridge but much more exillarating downhills. Keep the seat low on this one, so you can rub that tire.
Similar Trail: Joe's ridge.
reviewed by Rebus on December 20, 2005
Some flat out scarey sections if you have a lack of confidence. This trail will seriously test your skills and your guts.
reviewed by astroman on October 21, 2005
Some amazing scenery, and some wicked up and downhills. A little sketchy on some of the ridges but a sweet ride, good times.
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