Comments on: Colorado Trail

By: chashugi

chashugi — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 11:21:53 +0000

Hi every body, i will be with a friend in Denver colorado in a conference 13-17 October. I would like to do 2-3 days of mountainbiking before the conference. i will have a car and i dont care to invest 3-4 hours on the road in order to have a decent singletrack with nice landscapes. my limit is acrophobia (fear of heights). Any suggestions?

By: stonebite

stonebite — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 21:21:21 +0000

for their great information and trail described we have the following questions. we come from Switzerland and know alpine bike difficulty levels according to singletrail-skala.de. how do you appreciate the difficulty of the colorado trail http://singletrail-skala.de/s3? There are sections that are more difficult than S2 level? if so, can you please tell us in which trail sections, between Denver and Durango? There are also more difficult trail sections than S4 level? if so, can you please tell us in which trail sections, between Denver and Durango? Does the downloadable gps track already includes the nationalpark bypasses? I do not know the monsoon time. It is possible to drive the trail between mid august and end of september? here in switzerland we normally use alpine passes with max. 3000 meters above sea level. what about wild camping, outside of wild reserves? We do not know any bears and wild cats in Switzerland. Contacts with wildlife are more likely or unlikely, especially when camping? where are there meaningful and realistic behavioral suggestions for wild animal contact? many thanks in advance for answers, and best regards Claude from Switzerland

By: Greg Heil

Greg Heil — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 18:34:50 +0000

In reply to Like2ride. Check out the Searle Pass segment

By: Like2ride

Like2ride — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:01:10 +0000

Does this trail have a section closer to vail/Avon area?

By: Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber — Mon, 22 May 2017 22:18:25 +0000

Thanks Johnnymac. Fred has done the same thing to other highly-rated trails as well–not sure why. Anyway, don’t worry–ratings only count once per person.

By: Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber — Mon, 22 May 2017 22:18:25 +0000

In reply to Jeff Barber.

Thanks Johnnymac. Fred has done the same thing to other highly-rated trails as well–not sure why. Anyway, don’t worry–ratings only count once per person.

By: Johnnymac113

Johnnymac113 — Mon, 22 May 2017 22:13:46 +0000

Since these guys are trying to ruin this trails rating…

By: Johnnymac113

Johnnymac113 — Mon, 22 May 2017 22:12:55 +0000

Good

By: Tennyson

Tennyson — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 16:07:08 +0000

In reply to Tennyson. Hey Greg, thanks for the reply. I guess my question wasn't posed very well. Not looking to make the whole trail into a loop, just a section of it...like you mentioned, building a loop within it. I'll keep researching maps and such. Thanks!

By: Greg Heil

Greg Heil — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:57:07 +0000

In reply to Tennyson. Have you looked at the map of the Colorado Trail? It's a massive point-to-point route. While you could potentially put together a loop in the Buffalo Creek area, I wouldn't anticipate getting 3 days of riding out of it. Otherwise, if you really want to build a loop, you're going to have to use gravel and paved roads to make it happen. Best suggestion would be to put together a 3-day point-to-point ride with a shuttle.

By: Tennyson

Tennyson — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 16:39:13 +0000

Anyone have ideas for loops on CO trail? Never been on the trail, would be flying into DEN starting at the trail head. Looking at a 3-ish day loop.

By: Sponas

Sponas — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 21:10:04 +0000

Traveled all the way from Norway and did the whole trail last summer with two good friends. Best long distance trail I have ridden, so many good sections, and beautiful scenery! Can not recommend this trail enough!

Check out our video from the trip here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeXnLbwwbiU

By: jgmtb

jgmtb — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 19:11:40 +0000

Rode a section of the trail from Camp Hale to Tennessee pass with my wife. The camp is a bit spooky, but a cool vibe. On the way out mostly uphill, great moderate to difficult terrain with some short ramps, and absolutely specular views. We turned back at the Continental Divide
On the way back we passed some small groups riding the whole trail and some hikers, but people were super friendly. Probably the greatest single-day mountain biking experience in my life.

By: Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 17:21:37 +0000

In reply to Graydon Lutes. The terminus section in Durango is definitely fast and flowy, though it's steeper than the other sections you mentioned. There are a couple ways you can loop this part: start at the Dry Fork trailhead and ride up Hoffheins to the CO trail and back down the Dry Fork trail. Or, start at the end of the CO trail off road 204 and ride up the road to the intersection with Log Chutes 2 for a bombing descent!

By: Steven da Bruh man

Steven da Bruh man — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 05:44:14 +0000

In reply to bill673. DA PEDDLES BRO ON MY GOLD BMX BE SO GOOD AND SHINY THEY LIGHT UP DA HOLE HOOD MAN

By: Steven da Bruh man

Steven da Bruh man — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 05:43:19 +0000

In reply to bill673. my roof

By: Steven da Bruh man

Steven da Bruh man — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 05:43:07 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. my roof

By: Steven da Bruh man

Steven da Bruh man — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 05:42:47 +0000

In reply to Graydon Lutes. my roof

By: Steven da Bruh man

Steven da Bruh man — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 05:42:07 +0000

In reply to b699305. from my roof

By: Graydon Lutes

Graydon Lutes — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 17:13:32 +0000

In reply to Budgewana.

Yes many people have, with the current known record being just under 4 days. More info here: http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/479729

By: Graydon Lutes

Graydon Lutes — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 10:20:19 +0000

Can someone point me to fast/flowy sections of the trail? So far I’ve done part of Buffalo Creek (the non-CO sections were more to my taste), Kenosha to Breck (too technical until Middle or North Fork Swan River then awesome into town!), and Monarch Crest (epic!!)?

By: jen_biker

jen_biker — Thu, 19 May 2016 01:19:02 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. Nope! There are 28 true CT segments - you can ride any of them at any time.

By: jen_biker

jen_biker — Thu, 19 May 2016 01:18:25 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. There is no fee to ride the CT trail, but there may be fees for parking, etc. depending on which segments you ride and where you put in.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 20:20:48 +0000

DO you have to ride the whole 535 miles

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 20:08:41 +0000

how much does it cost

By: uhmtb

uhmtb — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 23:22:24 +0000

super fun rode back in 2014

By: Budgewana

Budgewana — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 09:01:34 +0000

Has anyone completed the whole trail from start to finish – if so, how long does it take and where there any issues one should know about?

By: bigAD

bigAD — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:59:28 +0000

Great trail. Great views. Can ride for days. I haven’t done the whole trail, but is on my bucket list.

By: Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:20:39 +0000

In reply to bill673. Yes, there is a fair amount of hike-a-bike so comfortable shoes are important. There are plenty of SPD options that fit the bill (like the FiveTen Kestrel). I would just stay away from really XC-race oriented shoes (you know, the lightweight, super stiff ones).

By: bill673

bill673 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 03:46:59 +0000

I am planning on riding the colorado trail this coming summer. I currently use clipless pedals (spd), and I am comfortable with trails intermediate to advanced but I am concerned about doing the hike-a-bike sections in bike shoes. What are your thought about clipless vs flat pedals for this trail?

By: Dasher1423dash

Dasher1423dash — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 06:28:06 +0000

Awesome scenery loved it.

By: ducklover3

ducklover3 — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 08:47:05 +0000

Amazing trail you can ride different sections and get something new out of it every time

By: b699305

b699305 — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 18:18:12 +0000

In reply to b699305. They all look fantastic! I think I'll start at Buffalo Creek. Looks like a nice trail...Hard decision to make, since they all look nice! Thanks.

By: Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 18:00:34 +0000

In reply to b699305.

If you’re just planning to ride a section (as in, day-trippable), I say start with the section that goes through Buffalo Creek: http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/colorado-trail-green-mountain.html

This section is super convenient to Denver too which might be helpful. Another easily-accessible section starts at Kenosha pass at US 285: http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/colorado-trail-kenosha-to-breckenridge.html

If you’re closer to the Durango end, the Molas Pass section starting at US 550 is killer with plenty of riding above treeline: http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/colorado-trail-molas-pass-to-bolam-pass-rd.html

By: b699305

b699305 — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 17:47:03 +0000

Heading to CT for my first time this weekend. Any suggestions on where’s the best to start at?

By: mongwolf

mongwolf — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 05:57:04 +0000

I have ridden a few sections of the CT now. Each of them had a remote backcountry feel. The trail travels across a lot of big country. Gotta love it.

By: evergreenhighway

evergreenhighway — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 03:44:29 +0000

We rode Monarch Pass and it is epic. We have trails like that I’m Washington like PCT but they’re illegal to ride. We also rode Kenosha Pass out and back to the wilderness. It was really awesome too but in aspens, meadows, forests, and a couple stream crossings. It was more down than up on the way out, but you get a nice downhill stretch at the end coming back. I did make that gnarly rocky climb from hell. Just about tore a lung doing it. It took us longer than two hours too. We also rode a section near breckenridge and it was smooth and fast. I liked the other two way better. Two thumbs way up!

By: Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 22:37:43 +0000

In reply to Gary Johnson. Thanks Jeff, Im not sure which section at this point. Just starting to do some research. Do you know which sections are cross friendly?

By: Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:40:13 +0000

In reply to Gary Johnson. Some parts of the trail are totally 'cross friendly while others will spit up a 'cross bike and spit it out. :) Which section are you looking to ride? If you're looking to ride the whole thing I would suggest something with beefier tires.

By: Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 06:48:37 +0000

is a cross bike suficient for this trail, or is it meant for mtb strickly?

By: Aaron Nightingale

Aaron Nightingale — Thu, 21 May 2015 05:20:49 +0000

I have only rode seg 1. Loved the trail. On one of my next trips I want to ride Silverton to Durango on the other end.

By: pashminapower

pashminapower — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 03:34:15 +0000

Rode up through Waterton canyon and it was awesome! Quite the experience! Although, Waterton canyon is closed weekdays but fully open on weekends

By: stumpyfsr

stumpyfsr — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:12:30 +0000

Done the whole thing. Every segment is different but fun no matter what. You get everything from fast rolling singletrack to miles of brutal rock gardens.
One of the best riding experiences I’ve ever had

By: mtbark

mtbark — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 22:38:34 +0000

We only did about 20 miles of this trail starting from the Little Scraggy Trail Head near Pine, CO. At first I thought it was going to be a boring ride as it started out on some fire road but it soon changed my mind. Lots of single track fun. Nothing really technical and the climbs were very manageable. One thing I enjoyed about this section was that we were able to tie into some of the Buffalo Creek trails for our return trip. Check out http://www.mtbark.com for a little more information.

By: rawrpancakes

rawrpancakes — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 21:06:36 +0000

Great trail

By: blutzski

blutzski — Fri, 02 May 2014 09:16:45 +0000

Kenosha Pass to Gold Run (Breckenridge) is the best ride I’ve done in Colorado. Bring lots of food and water.

By: jbarb1

jbarb1 — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 22:07:03 +0000

Some of the most beautiful trails and scenery I’ve ever ridden. If you’re not used to the altitude, be prepared for it, as it took me a few days to acclimatize. Rode parts of the Colorado Trail as part of the network of trails in the Buffalo Creek area, and they were the highlights of the rides over a period of 3 days. Need to be in fairly good shape to really enjoy the frequent changes in elevation but absolutely worth the effort.

By: Greg Heil

Greg Heil — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 02:13:10 +0000

Yes, what IS the sweetest section? Inquiring minds want to know…

By: Greg Heil

Greg Heil — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 02:13:10 +0000

In reply to Greg Heil. Yes, what IS the sweetest section? Inquiring minds want to know...

By: alskoj

alskoj — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 01:46:53 +0000

Regarding the above review…
where IS the “sweetest section of all”?