Tabegauche Trail - Grand Junction Section

The Tabeguache (pronounced TAB-a-watch) Trail crosses public land for 142 miles, connecting Montrose and Grand Junction, Colorado. The trail begins in Shavano Valley and weaves through the canyons, mesas, and highlands of the Uncompahgre Plateau before ending in No Thoroughfare Canyon, a few miles west of Grand Junction. The trail is marked by brown fiberglass posts approximately every mile, and at all intersections.

Visit these websites for maps and information:  Lunch Loops map. Bangs Canyon brochure.

You reach the crest at mile 128.9, then begin a descent into Bangs Canyon. A notch in the canyon wall on the right allows a nice view of Grand Mesa and Valley. The trail reaches the bottom of the drainage at 129.6 miles and immediately begins a steep climb. This short section of the road is very rough and is impassible for most 4WD vehicles. The trail reaches the top at mile 129.8 and begins a more gradual descent into a small park at the head of another drainage.

The road winds along this small canyon for several miles, with red sandstone rising on the left. At mile 132.7, you pass a spring and galvanized stock tank on the left and begin dropping into Rough Canyon. The road begins a steep descent and reaches the bottom of Rough Canyon at mile 134.76. At this point, the trail begins a long climb along a bench formed of Kayenta sandstone. The trail reaches Little Park Road at mile 137. Turn right on the paved Little Park Road, which climbs around a large grey hill on the right and then begins a long descent into the valley below. Follow the pavement to mile 139.9 and take a 4WD road to the left. This road is closed to motorized vehicles. At mile 140.6, the road reaches the top of a descent called "Widow-maker" by locals, and continues to descend until it reaches the pavement at Monument Road at 142.1 miles.