Level: Advanced
Length: 21 mi (33.8 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: +1,186/981 ft
Total: 18 riders
Mountain Biking Colorado Trail: Molas Pass To Bolam Pass Rd.
#89 of 1,345 mountain bike trails in Colorado
#630 in the world
The Colorado Trail starts a moderate climb on the west side of the highway and begins the first of two long climbs around mile 1.5. After passing above treeline at 12,500 feet there's a 1,500 foot descent along switchbacks followed by another long climb through the forest. Amazing views, lots of water along the way, and a great ride. You can also do this ride as a shuttle.
First added by Jeff Barber on Sep 7, 2010. Last updated Apr 28, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: yes
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: yes
- 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.
From Durango, take US 550 past Durango Mountain Resort to Molas Pass overlook and parking area. Restrooms available.
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I did the entire trail from Silverton to Durango on a bikepacking trip. CT is an epic trail with monster hike a bikes and beautiful views.
| ThankEpic alpine singletrack with amazing views literally starting right off US 550! This is a popular ride for bikepackers/shuttles, but excellent out and back or loop ride options exist as well. The first 8 miles (starting from Molas Pass) are prime trail with a few small technical sections. You can turn around at this point and still claim a great ride. After that roughly 8 mile mark the trail gets more rocky with some steep sections and really narrow lines. At about this time the altitude really starts to get to you too! (You are over 11,000 feet practically the whole time!) But overall the trail is very doable for the conditioned rider. After about 10 miles, a junction with the Engineer Mountain Trail is reached. Turn left to complete a loop by going down Engineer, turning left onto Pass Creek Trail just shy of 4 miles down (which ends at US 550/Coal Bank Pass), and then riding US 550 back up to Molas Pass. Bear right to continue on the Colorado Trail toward Rolling Mountain Pass at 12,500', and then down and back up to Bolam Pass. It takes quite the physical effort to make it up to Rolling Mountain Pass at this point, but the views make it all worthwhile! (The pass is another great turnaround point.)
This is one trail prone to harsh weather due to the altitude, so an early start is highly recommended. It is barren tundra for the majority of the ride, so not the place to be during a thunderstorm! Be prepared to get muddy after any significant rain due to the many drainages where the trail runs on the side of slopes. This trail does also have a short riding window, I'd say mid-July through September. Be prepared to share the trail with a lot of hikers as well. Overall this is a must do!
| ThankBeautiful views and not too much technical stuff make this a good shuttle ride for those in decent shape.
| Thank