ROCK JUNCTION 2022

4 days, 23 trails, 1 awesome event

- Ed Helmick

Some of the best four-wheeling in the world, whether defined by scenic beauty or technical challenge, can be found within an hour and a half drive of Grand Junction, Colorado. The Rock Junction event, an organized trail ride on trails of varying difficulty, started in 2011 and is hosted by the Grand Mesa Jeep Club GMJC). GMJC was organized as an off-road vehicle club in 1962 and currently has around 160 members. Rock Junction is not only designed for off-road fun but also to introduce out-of-towners to local trails. The timing of the event is easy to remember because it’s scheduled for the first Thursday through Sunday of June. Rock Junction now has its own event site near the intersection of U.S. Highway 6 and 21 Road in Fruita, Colorado, northwest of Grand Junction. For 2022, 23 trails were available to explore, and they ranged from easy to nearly impossible.

Rock Junction is an all-day, four-day event, if you include the Saturday exposition and its related events that will saturate you with a taste of the local off-road experience. Each morning starts with an on-site breakfast that can be paid for with a donation to the club. The first trail ride lines up at 8 a.m., with additional rides lining up at 8:30, 9:00, and 9:30 for five to seven hours of adventure. Every evening there’s a sponsored dinner and group discussion that often includes prizes to participants. Then it’s off to your campsite for a night’s rest, before starting another day. It’s definitely a weekend for those who want more out of life.