Description

Zippety Do Da is one of the original trails in the North Fruita Desert that helped put Fruita on the mountain bike map.

The singletrack flows along treeless desert ridges, plummeting sharply down the backside of the rolls in the ridge only to rocket back up the next ridge. The flow is incredible, the speed bordering on scary.

The commitment required to drop into the descents fast enough to make it up the next steep ridge actually requires advanced-level mountain bike skills, although the singletrack isn't actually rocky or technical.

While a confident intermediate rider could probably tackle this trail, it's surprisingly challenging. While you can climb the popular Prime Cut trail and traverse Frontside to reach the top of Zippety, the loop mapped here is a less-ridden option that takes you far away from the hordes swarming the more popular 18 Road trails.

Instead of heading toward Prime Cut, head the other direction from the trailhead, toward the bottom of the descents.

Traverse west across the bottom of the trail system, and then begin climbing Zip Off to Western Zippety. These little-ridden trails create an absolutely delightful, flowy climb up the mesa as you approach the Book Cliffs.

It's incredible how much narrower the singletrck is this far away from the main trailhead, and you have to wonder: were all the trails at 18 Road once this narrow?! It's a bit depressing to contemplate, and puts the local slogan, "Keep singletrack single," in perspective. After turning right on Frontside, you'll be confronted by a steep, switchbacked climb that will force most riders to hike-a-bike.

Don't worry, it's over quick, and you'll soon ripping down the iconic Zippety Do Da descent!