A description of a moderate mountain bike ride with outstanding views on the Sawmill Mesa Cutoff Loop west of the City of Delta, Colorado
Located in western Colorado, Delta County is a gem waiting to be found by mountain bikers. Numerous dirt roads and off-road trails provide limitless opportunities for the mountain biker willing to spend the time exploring the area. From the Grand Mesa to the Uncompahgre Plateau across which the well known Tabeguache Trail travels there are routes available for any experience level of rider. If you’re looking for a difficult ride that would challenge a professional mountain biker then this ride isn’t for you as it follows dirt roads that are passable in moderate clearance vehicles. The ride does have some steep grades in places depending on which direction you take the loop.
Getting to the Start of the Ride
To get there, take 5th Street west off of Main Street (Highway 50) in the center of Delta, cross the Uncompahgre River and drive approximately six miles to the Escalante Rim Road turnoff. A sign for the Delta Correctional Facility is visible a little farther down the road so you’ll know you’re in the right place. Take a right turn and park your vehicle at the large lot under the powerline right after you leave the pavement.
Mountain Biking the Sawmill Cutoff Loop
From the parking area, follow the Escalante Rim Road down the hill to the west passing by a rocky canyon on the right that is an enjoyable side hike and continue on a gentle uphill grade for about a mile until you reach a fork in the road. Take the fork to the left, this is the Sawmill Mesa Cutoff Road. The first half-mile is slightly downhill passing through an open, grassy area, this is the last downhill you’ll encounter for the next five miles so enjoy it while it lasts.
The road travels in a southwesterly direction as it passes a livestock pond and climbs through a small canyon, tracks of the mountain lion have been spotted in this area so it’s no place to linger. A steep and somewhat rocky section will bring you up on the mesa but the outstanding south views of the San Juan Mountains, the Uncompahgre River Valley, the West Elk Mountains to the east and the Grand Mesa and Gunnison River behind you are worth the effort. A steady ascent over the next kilometers up the Uncompahgre Plateau through grassy meadows dotted with occasional juniper and pinion pine trees will bring you to another fork in the road, this is the Sawmill Mesa Road.
This is the high point of the ride with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet from your starting point with 360 degree views including the City of Delta to the northeast. Take a left following the north rim of Roubideau Canyon and relax as it’s almost all downhill from here. A fast six miles down a more well-traveled dirt road through grass filled slopes in which occasionally deer and more often cattle will bring you back to pavement for a few moments until you turn left again on the Escalante Rim Road and return to your vehicle.
The overall distance of the Sawmill Mesa Cutoff Loop is about 12 miles and can be ridden in one to two hours depending on how fast you want to ride or how often you stop to enjoy the scenery. The route described here is in counter-clockwise direction and obviously can be rode in either direction. If you go in the clock-wise direction, take care to locate the turn-off to the Sawmill Mesa Cutoff Road on your right as it is not marked, if you come to a cattle guard, you went too far. In the spring, orange, purple and yellow wildflowers among the fields add additional rewards this mountain bike ride.