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Leftover Lane

Rating: 
One-way Distance: 0.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 4676 - 4861 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Tabeguache/Lunch Loop
Fee: none
Attractions: Challenging cliff




Leftover Lane is located in the Lunch Loop Trails System in Grand Junction, Colorado. The trail begins on a mesa off of the Miramonte Rim trail where it descends to the Miramonte trail in the valley below and then climbs up the north side of the valley where it eventually ends at a junction with Curt's Lane. The climb up the cliff is a portage for most mountain bikers. At the top of the cliff Leftover Lane is connected to by the Time Machine trail.


Leftover Lane begins at the 0.57 point of the Miramonte Rim trail if traveling around it in the clockwise direction.


As Leftover Lane breaks off from Miramonte Rim it begins immediately descending.


On the first switchback a well ramped ledge comes up that is not nearly as challenging in the downhill direction as it is coming uphill.


The trail moderates considerably after the initial switchback.


At the bottom of the hill the trail crosses a wash and then crosses the Miramonte trail.


After crossing the Miramonte trail Leftover Lane begins climbing up the hill on the north side of the valley where a switchback helps to take some of the work out of it.


The climb is a little strenuous but only moderately technical until the trail nears the cliffs just below the ridge.


Most mountain bikers are going to start hiking at this point. It kinda feels like you're sneaking through someone's kitchen.


The Time Machine trail connects to Leftover Lane right when it breaks over the cliff. From there Leftover Lane continues climbing on a moderate slope along the edge of the mountain.


Initial the climb along the edge of the mountain is mostly over broken slickrock.


It doesn't take long though for the slickrock to transition to a dirt track.


The last section of the trail levels off and crosses the top edges of the hill.


A look at the elevation profile of Leftover Lane gives a better idea of how the trail goes.


After almost a mile Leftover Lane comes to an end at Curt's Lane. At the time of this post the signage at this intersection was anything but clear. Mountain bikers that are headed down to the trailhead will want to take a hard right and follow Curt's Down. There is a trail marker for it after about 20 yards or so. Curt's Up also comes into this intersection where it all becomes just plain old Curt's Lane again. It's no big deal under the present situation if someone rides down Curt's Up and up Curt's Down. As a matter of fact it was sort of fun just saying it. As far as Leftover Lane goes, if you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is grab your bike or 'Take a hike'.