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Big drops with grand views on this downhill only gravity trail.


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Map Key

1.1

Miles

1.7

KM

Singletrack

5,670' 1,728 m

High

5,321' 1,622 m

Low

7' 2 m

Up

350' 107 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

13%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Free Lunch is a bike only, downhill only trail.

Description

Access to Free Lunch is from Eagle's Wing. Take Lunch Line from Little Park Road to minimize climbing or ride Eagle's Wing up from Tabeguache.

With many sections of technical challenges, body armor such as elbow and knee pads are good suggestions.

You'll feel like you're on top of the world at the entrance to Free Lunch. The trail starts on top of a giant mesa with 365 degree views.

Since Free Lunch is a downhill only, expert trail, you'll be required to ride a filter. The feature is a diving board slab. The easier line is towards the right edge. All others can get their first taste of big air.

The upper reaches of the trail are flowing, punctuated by technical rock features of all kinds. There are also two play areas. These 'pockets' have delineated boundaries and can be sessioned. There is no set trail through these areas, just different lines that riders test their skills on.

After the second play area the trail continues to roll over and through more rocky challenges as it approaches the rim of the mesa.

It's hard to keep your eyes on the trail at this point as the views open up across the Grand Valley. Be mindful of where you are because a series of big drops are waiting ahead.

The drops take you down a series of giant slabs to a running ledge below a broken overhang of sandstone. All major drop sections are labeled, starting with the first one that squeezes you between a twisted pinion tree and the broken edge of the rim. It's wise to roll up slowly to spot the optimal entry and exit depending on your skill level. Most sections are roll-able with a lot of chances for air. Exposure to the ledges below make this a very exciting and spicy section of the trail.

The final section climbs slightly between two huge rock slabs before rolling quickly to the Tabeguache Trail. Turn right to ride towards Eagle's Wing and a climb back up to the beginning of Free Lunch.

Contacts

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier with improvements by Drew Biermann

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 37 votes

#2

in Lunch Loops

#218

Overall
  4.9 from 37 votes
5 Star
86%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Lunch Loops

#87

in Colorado

#218

Overall
23 Views Last Month
7,184 Since Apr 22, 2013
Very Difficult Very Difficult

0%
0%
0%
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14%
86%

Photos

Big drops with grand views on Free Lunch
Apr 22, 2013 near Orchard…, CO
Freeriding on Free Lunch Trail for an episode of my series, Trail Boss.
Aug 16, 2017 near Orchard…, CO
Nate Hills chasing Noah Sears down Grand Junction's Free Lunch Trail.
Nov 15, 2016 near Orchard…, CO
Free lunch. Fantastic trail!
Dec 29, 2017 near Orchard…, CO
One of the first of many drops on Free Lunch!
Sep 7, 2018 near Orchard…, CO
In this video it's all about the Flow on one of my favorite trails: Free Lunch.  Still working on sticking the right lines on this beauty of a trail.
Oct 11, 2019 near Orchard…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 26, 2022
Patrick Burns
Such a great line: Drip after drop after drop.
Oct 23, 2021
Bret Marx
Cowboy up mofos!
Dec 4, 2020
D R
Nov 20, 2020
D R
Nov 1, 2020
Mike Bohan
6.1mi — 1h 13m
Nov 17, 2019
Drew Gustus
Oct 11, 2019
Patrick Burns
Killer desert trail with great lines. Flows pretty well for desert riding. Big ass drops are the name of the game.
May 20, 2019
Patrick Burns
Still one of the best trails around to actually explore how much a trail bike can actually do.
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