MESA COUNTY, Colo. — In a time when many plans are being canceled, Mesa County is happy to say one thing isn’t– Palisade Plunge Trail construction.

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t impacted the expected end date of trail construction. The only thing that has changed since the pandemic is that crews are no longer able to commute from other counties, therefore, many workers are locally renting.

The biggest challenge in trail construction thus far has been breaking through hard bedrock sections. Crews report that even with power tools when breaking through bedrock, they are only averaging about four to six feet, an hour.

To date, a total of 12.64 miles of trail has been completed, and a total of about 0.19 miles of rough-cut trail is left to be hand finished. This leaves just over four miles to go before completion of phase one of the trail. Phase two will begin this year, weather permitting.

The trail is expected to be complete by Spring of 2021.