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WELCOME! If you arrived at this page directly, you may want to read the introductory page: Roger's Favorite Singletrack Mountain Bike Rides
Please realize that I am an older, strong, intermediate mountain biker with a passion for singletracks and am suggesting these trails to others such as myself. Please do not rely totally on my descriptions -- get maps and trail guides locally. Note that I live in California, but that I frequently ride in Colorado.
Suggestions for minimizing trail damage:
-do not let your tires slide when climbing, descending, or
turning.
-ride over water bars, not around them.
-avoid riding on wet trails.
-carry your bike over or around deep mud.
-ride under control so that you do not run off the edge of the
trail.
The Colorado Trail begins on Junction Creek Road, just north of
Durango. It starts off as a moderately technical trail paralleling
Junction Creek. There are steep ups and downs, sharp turns, rocks,
cliffs, a lovely rushing creek, and all those goodies. After crossing
a bridge, it switch backs UP to the top of the ridge, goes through a
rocky, technical section, and widens into a gently rolling
degenerated dirt road. On this trail you may go as far as you want in
one day... Have fun coming back! Did I mention that the trail is very
scenic, passing through forests and beside wildflowers?
This starts at the end of Dry Fork Road just west of Durango. It
can be taken as a loop -- the left side of the loop is less technical
than the right -- or it can be taken as another way to get onto the
Colorado Trail. I prefer to take the left side of the loop up to the
Colorado Trail, ride the Colorado Trail to the right until it "tops
out", and come screaming back (looking out for hikers, horses, and
other bikers, of course)! The jumps and turns around trees make this
trail particularly fun on the way back... Large Aspens make it scenic
as well! It took us about 2 hours to cover the few miles up and the
few miles down. If I had to pick the best singletrack trail for
intermediate riders, this would be one that I would seriously
consider...
So far, this is the BEST singletrack that I have ever ridden! Imagine 21 miles of slightly to moderately technical singletrack leading from meadows surrounded by aspens and blue spruce, along a rushing creek, through forests of pines, to the edge of the high desert! It is very ridable and yet very challenging in places, and a LOT of fun. I particularly remember a section of trail which was very narrow and fast and passing through "fields" of blue lupine. I also remember the white water below me.
If you can be dropped off, start the trail at its upper end at the junction of Hermosa Creek and Road # 578 from Purgatory Ski Resort. You will end the trip at a dirt/paved road just north of the "town" of Hermosa, which is a few easy miles north of Durango. It took me about 3 hours to complete the trail, and I was taking my time and really enjoying the scenery.
If you can't be dropped off, start the trail at its lower end at the dirt/paved road just north of the "town" of Hermosa. Peddle "up" as far are you want to, and turn back. It will take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to cover the entire trail up and back, depending upon how fast you ride... The last time I was in Durango, I rode the entire trail up and down in about 5 hours. If you enjoy riding this long, I encourage you to do so, as the scenery and the trail seem quite different in each direction.
Or start the trail at its upper end, ride down as far as you wish, and ride back. Any way you do it, you can't lose on this GREAT trail! Say hello to the lupines for me...
You will be sharing this trail with hikers and horses, so you must
be cautious when visibility is limited, but I found everyone I met to
be accepting and friendly. In contrast to some trails around Marin
County, I felt like I and my bike really belonged there!
If you LOVE steep, rocky climbs and descents, this is for YOU! Its
not very long and can be done in an hour or so, but provides a GOOD
workout for both body and skills. Ask anyone at a bike shop for
directions, or get a map. In June you will be riding through "fields"
of yellow mule ears.
It is located at the end of Third Street. A variety of trails lead
up and along the ridge overlooking Fort Lewis College. Some are quite
technical; all are FUN! (Ridden 6/95)
The "Trails Illustrated TOPO Map" is quite good. So is a booklet entitled "Bicycle Trails On Public Lands Of Southwest Colorado". So is a book entitled "The Mountain Biker's Guide to Colorado" by Linda Gong and Gregg Bromka. Any bike shop -- and there are several -- will have them.
Thunder/Lightening/Rain/Hail can occur at any time of the day or night in this area -- especially in August. Be prepared!
if you do a ride and enjoy it, please let the land manager know
that you did enjoy it and that the existence of single-track trails
is important to you! A small donation for trail maintenance and
development might also be helpful!
Minimizing Trail Conflicts On Singletrack Trails
Minimizing Trail Impact On Singletrack Trails
Hints For Beginning Singletrackers
Back to Roger's Favorite Singletrack Mountain Bike Rides