Mountain Biker Dies on Palisade Plunge Trail After Running out of Water

The Mesa County Sheriff's office reports that a 52-year-old mountain biker died on the Palisade Plunge trail on Saturday after suffering a "heat-related illness."

By Jeff Barber
June 12, 2022 Last Updated: November 18, 2024

8 comments

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Update: Fox 21 in Colorado Springs has identified the victim as 53-year-old Jeffrey Higgins.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s office reports that a 52-year-old mountain biker died on the Palisade Plunge trail on Saturday after suffering a “heat-related illness.” A release says the man, from Colorado Springs, was riding alone and ran out of water.

“The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa County Search and Rescue, Palisade Fire Department, and Careflight’s helicopter immediately responded to the remote area and began life-saving measures. The person did not survive. “

The man was discovered by a group of three bikers and they also ran out of water about ten miles from the end of the 34-mile trail. Temperatures in the area reached 102 degrees on Saturday, and the three men who survived started the ride with a gallon of water each. Still, the Mesa County Sheriff’s office advises Palisade Plunge riders to carry two and a half gallons if attempting the trail this summer.

⚠️Strenuous activity during extreme heat is strongly discouraged.

💧💧At least 10 liters (2 ½ gallons) of water per person and electrolyte replenishments are recommended for riders to carry on the Palisade Plunge trail in the summer. 💧💧 https://t.co/5Tz4cDF0Ex
— Mesa County Sheriff (@SheriffMesaColo) June 12, 2022

Unlike some of the other shuttle routes in Colorado, as Matt Miller noted in his Palisade trip report, the Plunge involves 2,000 feet of climbing, and much of the ride is a traverse that requires significant pedaling.

We’ll update this story with additional information as it’s available.

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8 Comments

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Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Jun 13, 2022

Some heavy stuff, Jeff! I live and ride very close by Palisade. That trail can be a challenge for the very fit rider.
Gonna be some time before I'll be doing that kind of ride, being just deemed cancer free.
It does hit home on many levels. Sad day in the dirt world.

Folks need to be prepared! They need to listen to their body as it tells a story and break down and heed that story!

2 reply

jwestenhoff Wyoming // 2022
Jun 17, 2022

Late to the party, but I wanted to comment as I have invested several days of trail work sweat into this trail with COPMOBA. This is very sad, condolences to this rider and his family. Not sure what this gentleman's day looked like but folks should note that Palisade Plunge shuttle and probably other services do drop offs at Shirt Tail point as well as Mesa Top, and they strongly recommend Shirt Tail for many riders (shorter ride ~20 miles, doesn't skip much of the descending but skips a fairly flat rolling ~12 miles across the top of the mesa). Shirt Tail is a better option if you're only able to make it to Palisade in the summer, as you'll be more likely to hit the sunny hot lower elevations before the full heat of the day if you aren't a XC racer across the top. Fall is prime time for the full route. This is a great route, but it is an all day ride for most if done from Mesa Top, with the most demanding riding right at the very end.

0 reply

davidmarkweitzman California // 2017
Jun 14, 2022

Very sad. I can’t imagine riding with 2 1/2 gallons or riding in 100 degree heat. I once did a 25 mile ride in the Angeles Forest (Super Stawberry) and probably drank that much water because at Red Box they allow you to refill your bladder (mine was empty after Strawberry Peak Loop). That day topped out at 85 degrees and I bonked hard towards the end, but was able to finish along with help from my friends who gave me caffeine goos, etc. and I probably ate over 1000 calamities on the ride.

Sam James British Columbia // 2018
Jun 13, 2022

Wow, that’s sad.
I’m not sure how a person is supposed to carry 2.5 gallons of water while riding though!

flyingchipmunk 2017
Jun 14, 2022

That would be over 20lbs of water. You may be able to load that on a bike packing rig, but no idea how you'd do that on an mtb, especially if there is technical riding included. I hate to say it, but maybe this route should be closed in summer months and only ridden in shoulder season when it's not so hot.

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Jun 13, 2022

Two and a half gallons of water?! I don’t think I’ve EVER seen anyone carry that much water on a mountain bike.

-1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Jun 16, 2022

But I hear you carry a pony keg from time to time...

1 reply

Chin Gao New Mexico // 2016
Jun 16, 2022

Very very unfortunate however all adventurous bike riders must know their limitations.

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