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Joe's Cutoff

Rating: 
One-way Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Skill level:
Elevation: 5092 - 5208 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 15 mins.
Trailhead: North Fruita Desert
Fee: none
Attractions: Short connector




Joe's Cutoff is a short connector trail in the 18 Road Mountain Biking Area north of Fruita, Colorado. The trail stretches between the Prime Cut and Joe's Ridge trails crossing 18 Road, Kessel Run and V 7/10 Road enroute. The trail is probably most commonly used as a shortcut to the campground or back to one of the trailheads.


This post begins at the Prime Cut end of Joe's Cutoff.


The trail begins by climbing the hillside to get up to the level of 18 Road. The trail would be easy all the way if it weren't for a rocky outcrop at the top of this hill. If you are riding up the hill then you will probably have to dismount to get over the rocks.


Once on top of the hill it is a smooth roll along a nice dirt singletrack with very little elevation change.


After a short distance the trail crosses 18 Road.


From there the trail continues angling across the open flat.


As the trail nears the 0.4 mile point it crosses Kessel Run.


A short distance past that intersection there is a branch that forks off on the right that leads to the campground.


And a little past that fork the trail reaches V.7 Road. From here you can follow the road to the left to get to the base of Joe's Ridge, the top of Mojoe or continue on to Zippity and Western Zippity. Joe's Cutoff is more of a utility route that serves as a shortcut when getting around the other trails in the area. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is grab your bike or 'Take a hike'.