Level: Intermediate
Length: 13 mi (20.9 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: +778/808 ft
Total: 60 riders
Mountain Biking Colorado Trail: Kenosha Pass To Lost Creek Wilderness Bound
#186 of 1,345 mountain bike trails in Colorado
#1,431 in the world
6.5 miles out and 6.5 miles back, this trail is a load of fun! Some super flowy, fast downhills with tacky dirt so you can just rail the turns, some decently technical climbs, this section of trail is a totally awesome ride! It starts at the top of Kenosha Pass, follows the Colorado trail, and turns around at the Lost Creek wilderness boundary (not Georgia pass. Start on the other side of 285 for that.)
Enjoy!
First added by Greg Heil on Jul 9, 2008. Last updated Apr 28, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Going South on 285 from Bailey, hang a left at the Colorado trail parking lot on Kenosha pass (not right, but left as you're going south.)
Great trail. A little climbing a little technical and beautiful views
| ThankSo rad! A good mix of climbing and awesome descending with some breathtaking views. This trail has a good mix of tech and flow with some rocky sections and some screaming fast flow sections. Cruising through the Aspen's at 10500 ft doesn't get much better! I happened to see a moose and some mule deer.
| ThankThe less-common route of two rides that start from Kenosha Pass. Most riders head north towards Georgia Pass. Taking the south route will lead you to the boundary of Lost Wilderness Area. This ride is somewhat easier than the north route, with slightly less climbing, although there are still plenty of loose rock sections, which can make some some challenging (albeit relatively short) climbs.
| ThankThere is lots of narrow fun ST. The trail is getting a little grooved in some areas and quite rocky in many areas. That was fun, but it did require a bit more braking than I would prefer on some of the longer DH stretches. There are couple of rather short technical ups that will challenge most riders ... they reminded me of how bad of a technical climber I am. =)
I felt that the long climbs coming back were great. They had lots of rock in many of places, which made them more challenging, but they were long and gradual with some level stretches here and there to catch your breath a little. Rising from 9500' to 10,400', the climbs are good preparation for higher elevation rides in CO.
The last mile or so back to the Kenosha THD is a blast. It is a mix of rocky techy DHs and fast flowy tacky sections that you can really rail on. It is a REALLY nice finish after all the climbing on the way back.
As others have pointed out, the landscape is lovely. On one side of the trail (ridge) are great views of the Mosquito Range in the distance. On the other side of the trail (ridge) there are beautiful views of the Kenosha Mountain which is much closer.
| ThankI just rode this on May 31, 2014 from the Lodgepole campground, then south on Kenosha, towards Hwy 285. Turned around at the top and retraced my route due to time constraints. Still a few snowdrifts and a fair number of down trees across the trail.
| ThankThis trail was EXCELLENT - tacky dirt, lots of aspen groves, some rocks and roots (yay!!), a fully exposed sustained climb (and fast descent on the return) with great view of valley below, and some terrific water crossings. I highly recommend this trail. I live in Colorado, and am therefore spoiled with nice trails to choose from, but I gotta say this trail is REALLY high on my list of good ones. Can't wait to get back and do the whole thing. Gotta get in better shape before I try the full Kenosha-Georgia combo - the 10k ft altitude definitely increases the difficulty a whole notch compared to my usual 6k ft altitude rides. Bring lots of water and different clothing for really fast weather changes.
Great trail with awesome views. Ride in Fall for amazing experience.* Review edited 8/20/2012
| ThankThis trail is a great and often overlooked section of the Colorado Trail. After 6.5 miles when you reach Rock Creek, take the 4-mile detour on road around the Wilderness and pick the trail back up at Long Gulch. This is another great section of trail. Start with a couple miles of nice, steady climb, and then you will be rewarded with a gentle, 7-mile downhill through a beautiful valley to the Lost Park Campground. Its an out-n-back ride and you will get about 43 miles if you go all the way to the campground.... just have to put up with 4 road miles each way to link up the singletrack, but its well worth it.
| ThankThis is a great section of singletrack with some cool sections in the aspens, a couple of great rock gardens, some awesome descents, and incredible views! The only strike against this ride is that it's not all that long. While most of the other reviewers only gave this trail 4 stars, I am giving it 5. Maybe compared to some other Colorado trails it's 4 stars, but I had so much fun riding this trail it's difficult to dock it any points!
| ThankThis trail is really nothing special, but, has some definite fun stretches, a few big views, some cool aspen tunnels and I didn't see another biker. Worth a ride.
| ThankThis is a great, usually overlooked ride. It provides an alternative to its more famous brother across the highway that leads to Georgia Pass. It is a good alternative for 3 reasons:
| Thank1. If you don't have the time/fitness for the longer ride.
2. If you want to escape the crowds across the road.
3. If you've done the other a dozen times and want to do something new.
The scenery is fantastic, the singletrack fine and the climb long, steady and very rideable. It is, however, at high altitude, so some fitness is required.