Lunch Loops: Holy Cross / Gunny / Ribbon combo
Technical slickrock and sandstone tech two miles from downtown GJ. The lunch break that destroys you.
Trail beta
Park at Tabeguache Trailhead: Hwy 340 west from GJ, left on Monument Road for 1.8 miles. Lunch Loops = GJ's technical playground. Classic combo: climb Tabeguache, drop Holy Cross (slickrock + drops + chunky climbs), loop Gunny (local favorite descent). Pucker Up and Butterknife link in for extended tech laps. Not beginner-friendly. The rocks punish bad line choice. (The Ribbon is a separate trail system nearby: different parking, ride it on its own.)
When to go
Rideable year-round on dry days. Prime conditions March-May and September-November. Summer rides need dawn starts: Lunch Loops is fully exposed. Avoid riding wet: the Mancos shale mud damages tread and locals will give you the stink eye.