more stats
6.1 miles
Distance
976 ft
Climb
-397 ft
Descent
01:21:31
Avg time
580 ft
Altitude change
4,925 ft
Altitude min
5,504 ft
Altitude max
4,925 ft
Altitude start
5,505 ft
Altitude end
1.8%
Grade
-24.7%
Grade max
24.2%
Grade min
4 miles
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
2,044 ft
Distance flat
01:21:31
Avg time

Butterknife Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Third Flats
    Grand Junction, Colorado
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 95 in E-Biking
    • 40 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #90099 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #6723 in E-Biking
    • #120366 in Trail Running
    • #130823 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular In Reverse
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 3
  • Land Owner
    BLM Grand Junction Field Office

The Butterknife singletrack trail is a motorized, motorcycle trail that was built with state motorized funds and is a great example of a motorized trail that is a great mountain bike trail. Please be aware that you may see motorcycles on the trail, but both user groups happily coexist.

source: Grand Valley Trails Alliance
Trail Supporters
  • BLM
    BLM
    Land Manager
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 29 rides
  • 25 miles avg distance
All
  • 142 rides
  • Last: Jun 12, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Butterknife Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Mar 21, 2026 @ 8:33am (America/Denver)
Mar 21, 2026
 In rough shape! So dry and so much moon dust. Pretty awful really!
Nov 22, 2025 @ 10:55am (America/Denver)
Nov 22, 2025
 Trailforks says “No Dirtbikes” and that is 100 percent NOT true. Motorcycles are welcome to ride this trail.
Mar 24, 2025 @ 9:43am
Mar 24, 2025
 Very dry and sandy. Could use some moisture.
May 25, 2024 @ 5:57am
May 25, 2024
Mar 26, 2024 @ 12:52pm
Mar 26, 2024
 Was in excellent condition on 3/25/24, a day after it rained making the sand that is normally loose very compact and ridable.
more »
Status:
on Mar 21, 2026
Very Dry
Avg: 3.86 (16 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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        Directions to butterknife trailhead (39.018060, -108.553290)

        Photos

        2 more »
        584 |
        Aug 1, 2012 @ 11:16pm
        Aug 1, 2012
        541 |
        Aug 1, 2012 @ 11:17pm
        Aug 1, 2012

        Videos

        4 more »
        Butterknife Trail | A Colorado Hidden Gem...
        29:22 | 155 | Apr 28, 2025 , Grand Junction
        Mountain Biking Butterknife, Grand Junction...
        17:49 | 1328 | Jan 22, 2018 , Grand Junction
        2018 Grand Junction Off-Road - 15, 30 or 40...
        3:56 | 105 | Dec 18, 2018 , Grand Junction
        2015 Grand Junction Off-Road
        3:51 | 3592 | Jul 14, 2015 , Grand Junction

        Routes with this trail

        67
        Rides & Vibes Filthy 40
        43 miles • 5,320 ft • 11 •
        Grand Junction Rides and Vibes Filthy 40 2024 Race Route
        53
        Grand Junction 30M - SEP 2018
        ★ 3.0 • 31 miles • 3,459 ft • 29 • Out & Back •
        First itinerary in Grand Junction. Combo of Third Flats' 'Butterknife' and Lunch Loops' ' (east)' down.
        40
        Dirty 30: GJ Rides and Vibes 2022
        33 miles • 3,455 ft • 12 •
        2022 GJ Rides and Vibes dirty 30 course

        6 Reviews & Comments


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        Frequently Asked Questions About Butterknife

        ▼ Where is Butterknife located?
        Butterknife is located in Third Flats, Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Third Flats trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 39.01806, -108.55329.
        ▼ How hard is Butterknife?
        Butterknife is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 1.8%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Butterknife?
        Butterknife has 976 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 397 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 4,925 ft to 5,504 ft.
        ▼ Is Butterknife a point to point trail?
        Butterknife is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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