The final three miles of the 18 Road mountain bike trail network expansion are now complete, with the new K2 Play trail officially open to riders. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Saturday, October 10, celebrated the completion of the project, which represents the final piece of a 30-mile expansion to the popular riding area north of Fruita.
Partners from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA), and Mesa County gathered for the event. The expansion has essentially doubled the available trail miles at the 18 Road mountain bike area, according to Chris Pipkin, a retired recreation planner for the Bureau of Land Management.
COPMOBA Executive Director Faith Rodriguez expressed hopes that the completed trail system will encourage more people to “stay in the area, spend money here and boost our economy” rather than traveling to other destinations like Moab. Pipkin noted that achieving 30 miles of new trails from planning to construction in six or seven years was a relatively swift process for such a complex undertaking.
The planning phase for this significant expansion began in 2019, initiated by a grant secured by the project partners. This funding allowed for the hiring of a planner who engaged directly with the community to gather feedback on the desired direction of the expansion. A dedicated trail designer then conducted on-the-ground assessments to pinpoint specific additions and enhancements that would address user input.
The comprehensive master plan outlined a range of improvements, including the addition of new trails, with a focus on directional routes for climbing or descending, and better connections between existing trails. The project also aimed to close some routes deemed unsustainable. Beyond the trails themselves, the plan called for adding new amenities, such as increased camping options and dedicated event space for the growing mountain biking community. As a significant improvement for access, Mesa County also repaved the road leading to the trailhead, an upgrade Pipkin highlighted.
Pipkin emphasized that a key part of the 18 Road experience is the opportunity to camp directly next to the trails, allowing riders to easily access and return from their rides. He added that the expanded network now offers a wide variety of trails, making it a “family-friendly place” that accommodates diverse skill levels and experiences for all users.
The newly opened K2 Play trail holds particular significance for the local riding community, as it is named in honor of Kristina Kittleson, a respected and longtime leader within COPMOBA. Faith Rodriguez noted that having Kittleson’s family present at the Saturday ribbon-cutting made the event especially meaningful. Rodriguez described Kittleson as a “very beloved community member and rider that really connected and did a lot for the trails on the Western Slope,” expressing pride in naming the trail to honor her legacy.
Pipkin explained that the K2 Play trail features a different character than many other trails in the 18 Road area, incorporating more technical features. He characterized it as “more of a traditional, cross country mountain bike trail,” suggesting it was the kind of trail Kittleson, who passed away in 2021, would have enjoyed. Pipkin considered the K2 Play trail to be a “capstone project or a highlight of the expansion.”
Overall, Pipkin underscored the expansion project’s success for all involved partners, including the BLM, COPMOBA, Mesa County, and the City of Fruita. He stated that the completed trail network will significantly enhance the offerings for the mountain biking community in the Grand Valley.
