[Thrasher]

Hello,

I'm getting ready to head out to Fruita next week to enjoy some riding. Last time I went was back in 2008 and I remember Road 18 not being very pleasant to drive down in my sports sedan. My car is pretty low so it's not very suited for driving down dirt roads.

I was curious if the road is still as rutted out/rough as it was back in 2008? Thanks for any info on the 7 miles of dirt road leading to the goodness that awaits. :thumbsup:

 

[teleken]

If you catch it soon after it's been graded it's pretty smooth if not every corner will be washboard city.

 

[Thrasher]

Hmm, has anybody drove down this road recently? Was it wasboard city? Thanks for any info!

 

[catch22]

It's not bad at all right now. They've been coating the road surface with reconstituted asphalt over the past couple years and that is now done out to within about a half mile of the trailhead. Its far better than it used to be. The last little segment that hasn't been coated is still a bit washboardy but as of Thursday was fine in my family sedan and I noticed the car I was following out there was a Prius and they seemed to get along without issue.

 

[snark7]

it's almost paved...there are still some bumpy dusty parts, but about 70% is hardpacked and almost smooth. it shouldn't be any trouble.

 

[drlg]

Why do they stop the road maintainence before the trailhead? I imagine there is a change of road designation (county road to something different?).

 

[Thrasher]

Thanks a lot snark7 and catch22! I'm about to head out in the next day or two for some Fruita action. I'm psyched to hear Road 18 isn't what it used to be! Last time I went in 2k8 I drove all the way down that crappy road and turned around after I got to trail head because it was so windy. I hit the Mary's Stuff the day before so I'm hoping to hit Mary's and Road 18 this time. Can't wait!

 

[BeanMan]

it's still windy!