One-way Distance: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 4586 - 4675 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Tabeguache
Fee: none
Attractions: Easy connector
The Nor'easter trail is located in the Lunch Loop Trails System in Grand Junction, Colorado. The trail travels along the northern most section of the Three Sisters area of the Lunch Loop Trails connecting the Yes N Deedee and the Hop, Skip and a Jump trails.
This post begins at the upper end of Nor'easter where it departs from the Yes N Deedee trail. At the time of this post the Nor'easter trail was less than a year old and trail signs hadn't been placed yet. The intersection is at the northeast corner of the Yes N Deedee loop.
As the trail leaves Yes N Deedee behind it makes a gradual descent.
Near the northernmost part of the trail it enters a wooded area.
The variety of trees found here is a sharp contrast to the pinyons and junipers that grow elsewhere in the Lunch Loop area.
The trail turns back towards the southwest as it comes out of the trees.
As the trail continues it finds itself traveling along the seasonal streambed of No Thoroughfare Canyon.
The nearby water source brings with it an increase in vegetation creating a bit of seclusion from Monument Road which is directly across the wash at this point.
As the trail progresses it travels back out into the open where the view up No Thoroughfare Canyon extends all the way to the Colorado National Monument. A pleasing backdrop for any scene.
The only real difficulty for the otherwise easy trail comes as it crosses the wash where loose cobbles can add a little instability to the track.
The trail crosses the wash once again at a shallower spot where it takes a more direct line that is much smoother in contrast to the previous crossing.
The Nor'easter trail ends when it runs into the Hop, Skip and a Jump trail. From here the quickest and easiest route back to the trailhead is to the right. We have ridden and hiked the Nor'easter trail in both directions. Even though it is mostly downhill when beginning at Yes N Deedee the trail isn't very steep compared to other routes in the area. The Nor'easter trail is even an easier alternative to getting up to the Yes N Deedee trail than the traditional route. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is grab your bike or 'Take a hike'.
