One-way Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 5345 - 5444 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Third Flats
Fee: none
Attractions: Short but challenging
Rocky Stumble is a multi-use trail that is located in the BLM Third Flats Area in Grand Junction, Colorado. The lower end of the trail begins off of the Third Flats Road where, as its name implies, it follows a rocky route for a half mile up to a connection with the Twist-N-Shout trail.
The spot where the lower end of the Rocky Stumble trail branches off of the Third Flats Road is 1.9 miles from Little Park Road.
After passing through the trail squeeze that restricts vehicle access the trail follows an easy course that takes it over a small hill and into the next drainage.
After climbing back out of the drainage the trail gets rougher as it begins crossing some broken sections of slickrock.
Other than a few places where there is loose dirt that has been churned up by ATVs and dirt bikes the trail gets easy once again.
A short distance later the trail begins living up to its name as it passes over a stretch of uneven rocks.
If you can get past the rough aspect of the trail you might be able to appreciate some of its natural scenic value.
The last section of the trail is perhaps the most challenging as it climbs up a series of rocky shelves that are mingled with bits of loose debri.
Rocky Stumble comes to an end when it meets up with the Twist-N-Shout trail. From here it is about a quarter mile to the left, along a much easier route, back to the Third Flats Road. From there it is another mile and a half back to the trailhead. Going to the right it is about 2.5 miles via the Twist-N-Shout trail to get back to the Third Flats trailhead. While Rocky Stumble is a short trail all by itself it requires another 4 miles or so to get there and back. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.